This week we've been rocking & rolling (& blowing ๐ ) through the foundation groundwork exercises. Cactus has done well with Desensitizing to the Lead Rope & Stick & String, though he was initially pretty worried about slapping the ground with the stick & string. He's done well with Yielding the Hindquarters. He struggled at first with Yielding the Forequarters & the correct footwork but has significantly improved. Flexing continues to get lighter & softer. We've built upon Lunging Stage 1 (send around & yield HQ to face) with Lunging Stage 2 (quick change of direction & send the opposite direction) & we've just added Sending & Circle Driving. Overall, Cactus has been doing well but has been a bit standoffish & not 100% confident in himself. We've also begun to work through Pillar One of the Three Balance Through Movement Method Pillars. I stumbled upon Celeste & her work back in late January/early February. I joined her Facebook Masterclass (highly recommend) & my eyes have been opened! This will be incredibly important for Cactus, both mentally & physically. He relies on his neck to carry his big body around, which has caused his thoracic sling to drop down & forward.
Next week, we'll continue to review the past groundwork exercises under saddle & add in a few more exercises.
If all goes well & the weather holds out, I hope to put his first rides on during the last week in April.
I was hoping to be able to make the trip up to Jen's next week; however, I've just received word that she is unavailable April 18-27, so it will likely be the first week of May.
Next week's update will come on Wednesday as my Business Mentorship for Horse Trainers group is holding a Business Mastermind Class near Ponder, TX, next weekend, so I will be gone April 22-25.