Let's try it under saddle now...

Today was ride #5. My coach happened to be around, so after warming him up at the trot, she decided I should send him over a little x-rail (2' at the middle, or less). Although we had a WTF? moment trotting up to it the first time and he ran out, he was super honest about it, and if I hadn't been crapping my breeches I could have got him over.

Second approach, after some hesitation, we went over really well!... and proceeded to nearly take out a jump standard while cantering around the corner on the wrong lead. Couldn't leave it on that, so we did it a third time, and I was ready for the dart inside this time. We trotted in soft and round (or getting there, it's only ride #5!), jumped well, and cantered BEAUTIFULLY on a soft, 12' stride, straight to the fence line. It felt SO good.


And we cantered! We hadn't cantered yet either. It was so fantastic, and smooth and lovely! I LOVE THIS HORSE!

That being said, we had to have a "go with Jesus" discussion before we could even get to the ring. (By the way, whoever, came up with that phrase, I love you. I now use it regularly.) He has decided there are some invisible lines on the ground in some places, and WILL NOT pass them without much coaxing. It's not fear, it's just attitude. He's been doing this for the two rides before today, and I finally had enough. I don't LIKE going backwards because I am terrified he is going to rear. I don't think he would, but that is the one thing I do NOT want to have to deal with. In any case, so after struggling for a bit and resorting to smacking him on the but with the hand, out came the crop - "Jesus." I told him to go with "Jesus" once... and amazingly, the decided that was a pretty damn good idea! LOL.

And amazingly, the invisible electric fences with horse-eating dragons underneath them disappeared! And it was good, and he got many pats.

I love this horse.