Kindergarten

I have gotten to know Kai a bit now. He is easy to handle, to catch and lead, but when it comes to the things he needs to know for riding, well- he knows nothing.
Yesterday, I started his training. I worked him in his halter, just sending him around me to see what he knows.... well, basically, nothing! Oh, he goes around but all worried like he's in trouble. When I wiggled the rope he about jumped out of his skin. It took me 45 minutes of working with him to get him to relax, and accept that the rope and the stick weren't horse eatin' monsters, and that it was quite possible for me to lay the stick on his back, send him around, change directions, and face up without him having to be on guard. This photo was taken at the end of the session, after he had things figured out.

Before then, he was pulling, trying to lope in the 6 ft. circle I had him in, blowing out sideways or in reverse- anything he could think of. I get the feeling that previously when asked to do groundwork, he may have tried these evasive tactics and been successful in getting out of work. However..... that doesn't work with me! We both were tired and sweaty, but the light was beginning to show at the end of the tunnel. After a bit, I asked him for lateral flexion- just standing beside him and asking him to give me his nose.... not so much as a little give. So I stopped there, and today, that's where I started.
I put him in my bosal for this lesson. I took a little video- initially he gave me just a little give, (why I said "good boy") and then he started moving his feet- which isn't what I was asking for; I just wanted him to soften his jaw and flex laterally.

My camera ran out of battery, but after a few circles, he stopped his feet and gave to the pressure. We worked on both sides; I'd do one side until he got it, and licked his lips in relaxation, then do the other side until I got the same results. 4 times each side, then we moved on to sacking him out with the get down end of the mecate. Of course, he got a little jumpy, but quickly figured out that all I wanted him to do was stand still while I flicked the rope over, under, and beside him. Good boy! That was enough for today. Tomorrow, I would like to review everything, then move on to sacking him out, probably the plastic bag tied to the end of a stock whip. (insert evil grin) That should get him going! But he's 4 now, not a colt, so I'm hoping he is mentally mature enough to keep on figuring things out fairly rapidly.
I'm also trying to organize a Daryl Gibb clinic; here is a little bio on him. He  should be good for me and Kai, and several other people are interested so I hope I can make it happen.

I really enjoyed this video of Daryl- if you have the time, give it a watch.