Rio's groundwork- continued

We did move on to the beginning of rope work today, but first I did a little review. I walked him over the cavaletti poles- he nicked the first one but picked up his feet nicely after that. Then over to the tarp, apparently he considered it beneath  him....

Although he did at one point get a hind hoof underneath the tarp and it startled him when it slid up his leg, he just kept walking over it and parked on it when I asked him to.
I also reviewed the stick and string. flipping it beside him and then over him. He did get a little goosey on his right side, but soon settled.

This was a prelude to doing the same thing with the lariat. I flipped it beside him a couple of times and then over his back. He goosed a little at first, which I don't mind, because then when they accept it they are aware of it and don't get taken by surprise. The only thing is when Rio startles he jumps towards me because I am his safe zone, but he is learning that that isn't acceptable, that I have a personal zone he must stay out of. Soon I could lead him by the rump, from the off side, both directions.

Then I put the rope in the cinch area, holding both ends and leading him.

Again, the first time I tightened the rope and asked him to move forward, he jumped a little, and then accepted it. Good boy Rio! Next step was to have him drag the rope from both sides at once, again a cause for concern and quick acceptance.

This gets him used to things around his back legs and helps when it's time for ground driving.

Are we done yet?

He was awesome! Tomorrow I will review all this and get him comfortable with the rope all over his body- I did lead him from the flank area a little and will do more of that tomorrow, as well as roping his feet. He is proving to be as easy to work with as I thought he'd  be.