For Memorial Day, a group of us at the stables decided to take a leisurely ride out to the Ponds and through the eastern part of the Hansen Dam Basin. There were four of us and five horses (one member was ponying an extra horse) and this was an excellent opportunity for Max to ride in a small group and get some training in group riding. This is an area that Max could use some work in.
It was a partly overcast day and relatively cool (except when the sun came out and then it was very hot) and we set out. We practiced switching positions in the group and I deliberately alternated riding Max in the back and the middle of the group.
Max had no problems dealing with the terrain and various objects that some of the other horses thought were scary- he was pretty calm. Naturally, as our course seemed to aim towards home (we were travelling in a very wide, loose circle and we had to take a detour to avoid a quicksand area), Max became more animated and was convinced that he was headed home. Naturally he was also trying to keep up with his equine compadres (an Arab, a Foxtrotter and two mustangs) so he was working extra hard by his standards.
I noticed that Max did better when he was with the Mustangs and the Foxtrotter than with the Arab but still not a deal-breaker. Max also learned to be patient, stay in place even when the other horses started off, et al. Basically, it was a matter of getting Max to pay attention to me and not the horse herd.
We were out about two hours or so and it was a very pleasant ride. If only they all could be so pleasant! :-)
It was a partly overcast day and relatively cool (except when the sun came out and then it was very hot) and we set out. We practiced switching positions in the group and I deliberately alternated riding Max in the back and the middle of the group.
Max had no problems dealing with the terrain and various objects that some of the other horses thought were scary- he was pretty calm. Naturally, as our course seemed to aim towards home (we were travelling in a very wide, loose circle and we had to take a detour to avoid a quicksand area), Max became more animated and was convinced that he was headed home. Naturally he was also trying to keep up with his equine compadres (an Arab, a Foxtrotter and two mustangs) so he was working extra hard by his standards.
I noticed that Max did better when he was with the Mustangs and the Foxtrotter than with the Arab but still not a deal-breaker. Max also learned to be patient, stay in place even when the other horses started off, et al. Basically, it was a matter of getting Max to pay attention to me and not the horse herd.
We were out about two hours or so and it was a very pleasant ride. If only they all could be so pleasant! :-)
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