We have been having some rather intensive groundwork sessions. One thing that’s different between how I’ve handled groundwork and how Whisper’s trainers do it is direction changes. Where both Sam and Callie tend to keep him going in one direction for long periods of time I like to change direction often. I decided Whisper needed a fast workout with a lot of changes to keep his interest and attention. To that end after his warm up, we cantered to the right, cantered to the left, then cantered some more. After several minutes of this his head came down some and he became more responsive to requests for direction changes. He is almost to the point of pivoting on his hocks although I probably shouldn't push that. I don't think he'd make a great cowhorse but what he lacks in quickness he more than compensates for in length of stride. He can cover a lot of ground quickly.
Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to watch Callie work him for the past week or so but I can see improvements when I work with him. Where it has been difficult to keep him walking for any length of time now he seems happy to walk without breaking into a trot - this is very effective for cooling him down after a workout.
He has also become more responsive in the pasture. For a long time we would take his pan of grain to him and let him eat it wherever he wanted. We finally decided he could eat at the feeder like the other two horses. A couple of times Spice snarfled his dinner but to date nobody has gotten his carrot or apple. Where I used to take his treat to him now he comes to me for it. Below are Whisper and his buds Spice & Doc waiting patiently for dinner - not.
Now for the cautious news. I have spoken with the person we've chosen to do Whisper's 'first ride' and it is tentatively set for Wednesday. I'll touch base with him tomorrow to finalize a time but hopefully the next post will include video of the big boy under saddle. Fingers crossed!
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