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Post by Sam on Feb 4, 2009 1:26:22 GMT -5
Horse: Tempered Passion
Trainer: Sam Lettington
Purpose: Getting use to the bit and what pressure means.
The metal lightly clanged against one another as I took the bridle with a mild bit to the dark bay colt who stood in the middle of the training arena, curious to know what we were going to do today. Or in his mind, what I was going to put him through today.
The bit was typically an easy thing to get use to but just as necessary. He watched the leather pieces as I held it forwards. Interested, he reached forwards, sniffing the leather before his nose bumped against the cool metal. A click sounded from my hand before it was replaced with a small bit of grain. Tim took it with greedy lips before his gaze returned to the bit. His lips carefully played with it before I moved it away to let it swing and lightly touch his neck. More interested in the shiny bit, he turned, trying to watch it.
A small laugh came from me as I gently patted his neck before one hand went under his chin and a thumb went into his mouth. On cue, he opened it and I slipped the bit in. Pulling the bridle past his ears so it wouldn't slip off. His mouth opened and his tongue rolled, trying to push the metal piece out of his mouth. You'll get use to it, I said as I gave him some grain. I could tell he was having difficulty trying to get the grain around his bit but still he took it with graditude. His mouth grew still as he searched my hand for more grain. I placed a few more pieces of grain onto my hand. I wanted the bit to be a good thing to him.
As he managed to chew around the bit, I gently tugged at it, trying to get his head to turn with it. Confused, he went with my hand. I clicked before giving more grain. Again, I did the same on the other side. Such a good boy, I cooed as he turned his head with my hands with little fuss before taking the grain after the click.
With both hands I put equal pressure on the reins. He tensed against it and rose his head a bit. Slowly his head relaxed and lowered. Before he could roll back though, I clicked and offered more grain. Not so bad, huh? I said as he chewed around the bit for the grain.
He snuffled slightly before I continued on like this for some time. Turning his head to teach him to go with the pressure. Slowly he understood and stopped resisting. With a small nod, I decided this will be sufficient for today. I smiled as I patted his neck and gave him his last bit of grain before taking off the bridle.
Word Count: 513
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