Drive Forward

Haven't been writing because it's hard to write with a broken finger. I didn't get it from FALLING off the horse, which hurt, but from PULLING the horse so hard to stop that my finger snapped. So yes, I'm a little out of balance, and now afraid to ride. But at least reading that maybe there are a few holes in my training that got my horse not to listen to me in the first place. So I'm back on the ground, trying to figure out where to start. I am 47, so probably too old and caring about my life too much to risk injury, and yet here I still have Dewey, the 5 yr old TB, and I have these ropes I made to teach him to drive, and I can still work with him on the ground, so here I go. What I like about taking small steps with the horse, desensitizing to ropes, then moving up to connecting the ropes to the bridle, and then moving up to walking next to him while holding the ropes, then moving up to walking a little farther back and holding the ropes, and then moving to turning him and crossing the ropes over his butt (which he still swishes his tail at me, but he will continue going...I like that there are building blocks. And what I understood today, when I actually felt for a few minutes like we were a unit as I walked behind and he listened with an ear, and let me drive him forward - the horse is learning to trust that no matter where I am, I am connected to him, and I will guide him safely. I won’t let go. He might be silly sometimes, argue with me but if I establish and re-establish myself, eventually he trusts and relaxes and it’s partnership. Swished his tail to say, I’m not too happy with that rope on my butt, but I’m gonna keep going. I can actually do less and he will do more. I can be quieter, guide from center, and w balance. Anyway, it's a learning experience. Reading these trainers that say go ahead and make mistakes, just keep going. Step back a step if you notice the horse is confused. If he's not doing what you want, he doesn't understand what you're asking. Ask clearly and allow. Let him step in and do his part. I'm so used to doing all the parts. (or I think I am) I like when he steps on the rope and freaks out because the next time it happens, he will freak out less. It's good to know where he needs the work. The best part is teaching him that when something scary happens, you stop and relax. face the scary object. Relax. It isn't that scary after all. I don't know if I'll stick with training Dewey, or owning Dewey. If the opportunity comes to have a short, boring horse, I will consider it. But he is in training to be boring, and he is doing pretty well. He's going through this bucking when things get scary, and have to work through that, before I get on his back. He's a teenager. I'll keep driving.