Kai Day 22: third ride

A lot less ground work today; started out with saddling him ground tied and he was absolutely perfect, didn't move a muscle. Then I flapped my jacket all over him- again, he stood stock still like a good boy. After that I swung my lariat- he did move away, from the center of the pen over to the rail, but more being cautious than panicky, so I brought him back to the center and continued swinging the rope- no issues after that.
I stepped on, asked for lateral flexion both ways; he was a little more resistant to the right, so I persevered until he was equally soft on both sides. Then I disengaged his hip both ways, and then his shoulder. Sat quietly for a moment and asked him to walk out. He much preferred to just stand there, but he did walk off, and around the pen.

Very first Kai ear cam shot!

I rode him around the pen with turns both ways and a much improved whoa- I made a point of being very clear in my thinking and cues when I asked for the stop. Also, I back him a step or two after the stop.

That being said, just after the whoa in this video, I asked him to back and he was resisting, so I tapped him with my legs - he jumped forward, had a mini crow-hop and loped 3 steps to the fence and stopped. I think he woke up! I am always glad when we get that first "blow" out of the system of a young horse, I am happy that he doesn't blow hard! Nowhere near as hard as Rio for example; Rio would take a huge jump and then stop. Kai is littler and easier! Anyway, after  that he had a little more energy and walked out better and paid attention better . No trot though. I stopped after a few more nice soft stop/back ups. So I think we are ready to haul to a bigger round pen now. (Big grin!)