Whisper Gets A New Tarp

After a training session I like to work him a couple of days in the roundpen (where the lesson was held) then move to the arena. Today was the day to move to the arena. I had added a saddle to the mix yesterday and today there was a different tarp than the one he originally met. He definitely noticed the difference. It was basically back to square one. First he decided to throw a hissy fit. He’s begun having one per session and telegraphs them by first throwing his head then humping his back a little. He then takes off for several steps. Sometimes he stops then and sometimes he’s come to the end of the allotted lead and has to turn. Typically I ignore these outbursts and we continue with what we’re doing as we did this time. He wouldn’t lunge over the new tarp so I led him until he was comfortable, stopped him on it and delivered pats and scratches, and then lunged him over it. He even accepted being rubbed over his face and forequarters with the tarp. Progress.

The saddle. He has issues with saddles. Interestingly in his surrender papers it is noted that he seems to enjoy groundwork but not saddle work. I don’t know if the person making these comments had actually ridden him or just observed his behavior under saddle. Regardless there is a problem. He stands well for saddling which is a good thing as he’s so tall I have to heave the thing up onto his back. He’s not cinchy. He’s doesn’t seem to mind the weight – it’s a 25ish lb western saddle. He doesn’t even seem to mind the stirrups swinging when he’s moving. The problem appears to be sound and sudden movements. Initially I accidentally tapped the saddle with the lunge whip. You would have thought a cougar jumped on his back. He’s over that now but is still jumpy when I slap the stirrup leathers. We work on it every day and I feel he is improving
but the issue will need to be thoroughly resolved before he can be ridden.