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Exxcel WLF
(Odyssey SC* x Nebula WLF*) 2018 15.3H Registered Bay Arabian Gelding 
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November 1st, 2022
Exxcel after being brought home from Ryon's Rescue. Was in quarantine for 45 days (are usual time amount) and then was immediately started on Desensitization and groundwork on and off throughout the winter.
Exxcel after being brought home from Ryon's Rescue. Was in quarantine for 45 days (are usual time amount) and then was immediately started on Desensitization and groundwork on and off throughout the winter.
Got a hold of his previous owner and was told he was dangerous, unpredictable, broncs like a rodeo horse, and apparently broke a gal's pelvis before she had gotten him. She said she had worked with him for a year in her care but would not provide details as to what exactly she accomplished with him and any further questions seemed to be refused/ignored and were not answered to find out. It is not proven all statements are true from her and through all of this time he's been in training with me, he has yet to bronc or even attempt a buck while under saddle. Only that yes, he was highly reactive when I first got him, had no signs of being given any sort of desensitization training, and he did exhibit more explosive behaviors than most horses at first, but he has greatly improved and continues to improve as time continues. If he ever does offer to buck or starts bucking like a bronc or exhibiting dangerous behaviors it will be posted and if he cannot be fixed up to the point where he is safe for someone else to ride, he will never hit the sales list. I will find an appropriate home for him where he can be a pasture companion. While I certainly hope I can get him fixed up fully, I am taking my time and making sure to do a good job and not to rush his training so don't be surprised if it takes a few years to get him finished.
December 1st, 2022 - Taught Exxcel how to say "yes" as his first trick to establish a connection and start a bond before his actual training started.
December 28th, 2022
First recorded session of training.
His first day under saddle (for me). He was nervous and wide eyed throughout being saddled but we didn't run into any blow ups or bucking fits. I don't usually slap a saddle on, on the first day of training but since it was said he's already got a year's worth of work into him, I at least wanted to see where he was at. He will need a lot of desensitization and trust building I plan on doing yet as he is a very spooky boy. Can't even throw hay in his pen without him ramming himself into the gates. But this went pretty well for what I was expecting :)
First recorded session of training.
His first day under saddle (for me). He was nervous and wide eyed throughout being saddled but we didn't run into any blow ups or bucking fits. I don't usually slap a saddle on, on the first day of training but since it was said he's already got a year's worth of work into him, I at least wanted to see where he was at. He will need a lot of desensitization and trust building I plan on doing yet as he is a very spooky boy. Can't even throw hay in his pen without him ramming himself into the gates. But this went pretty well for what I was expecting :)
January 5th, 2023
Took a video of Exxcel today before I start his desensitization to show how he reacts to new things. His reactions are always big and distrustful. But he's learning quick that if he gives it a chance after it scares him, it isn't so bad. So far, he seems like the type of horse that if you work on something one day, even if he learns it's not going to cause him harm and actually likes it, the following day it's just as scary and we're starting all over with the same thing. The only difference is he doesn't have as big of a reaction and is more willing to relax or become comfortable sooner than before. Which is okay, he isn't hardheaded or making things more difficult than they need to be, he doesn't naturally trust and is lacking confidence.
By how I've seen him react to things and being told he's unpredictable and dangerous under saddle he is going to receive thorough desensitization and groundwork to the point where he stands still enough for me to act like a complete idiot whipping bags all over as well as anything else regarding desensitization before I try getting in the saddle for the first time. I want to build enough trust and confidence in him that I feel he's ready mentally to handle taking things to the next step. Because of how big his reactions are now, where he is at mentally, and the lack of desensitization I've seen since he got here, I wouldn't be surprised if he took off across the barn bucking people off left and right. So I'm hoping that's all this "bucking issue" really is and if I'm wrong, we'll get to that road when it comes. I've been working on putting pressure into the stirrups, putting all of my weight into the saddle, shaking the saddle, lunging him at all gaits and have yet to see one buck or unpredictable move from him which I'm thankful for but sure would prefer to see on the ground first
But on a positive note, there is a lot of progress so far with wanting to be around me instead of being too scared to try. He has started walking up to me whenever he sees me (bobbing his head yes ) and waits at the gate if I'm working other horses hoping to be let in. He at first would be terrified if I walked up to him too quickly and would run off. It was difficult even getting a halter on him without him fleeing. Once in a while if I move too quickly, he still moves away from me or gets uncertain to the point where he doesn't trust me all over again but he continues to come back and try again. The one thing I noticed though if he is doing something he enjoys (eating hay) and I have the halter or lead rope he does try to run around and make it difficult to catch him. So I'm not as fun as eating hay yet but I'll take that as a challenge because that won't last long here.
Took a video of Exxcel today before I start his desensitization to show how he reacts to new things. His reactions are always big and distrustful. But he's learning quick that if he gives it a chance after it scares him, it isn't so bad. So far, he seems like the type of horse that if you work on something one day, even if he learns it's not going to cause him harm and actually likes it, the following day it's just as scary and we're starting all over with the same thing. The only difference is he doesn't have as big of a reaction and is more willing to relax or become comfortable sooner than before. Which is okay, he isn't hardheaded or making things more difficult than they need to be, he doesn't naturally trust and is lacking confidence.
By how I've seen him react to things and being told he's unpredictable and dangerous under saddle he is going to receive thorough desensitization and groundwork to the point where he stands still enough for me to act like a complete idiot whipping bags all over as well as anything else regarding desensitization before I try getting in the saddle for the first time. I want to build enough trust and confidence in him that I feel he's ready mentally to handle taking things to the next step. Because of how big his reactions are now, where he is at mentally, and the lack of desensitization I've seen since he got here, I wouldn't be surprised if he took off across the barn bucking people off left and right. So I'm hoping that's all this "bucking issue" really is and if I'm wrong, we'll get to that road when it comes. I've been working on putting pressure into the stirrups, putting all of my weight into the saddle, shaking the saddle, lunging him at all gaits and have yet to see one buck or unpredictable move from him which I'm thankful for but sure would prefer to see on the ground first
But on a positive note, there is a lot of progress so far with wanting to be around me instead of being too scared to try. He has started walking up to me whenever he sees me (bobbing his head yes ) and waits at the gate if I'm working other horses hoping to be let in. He at first would be terrified if I walked up to him too quickly and would run off. It was difficult even getting a halter on him without him fleeing. Once in a while if I move too quickly, he still moves away from me or gets uncertain to the point where he doesn't trust me all over again but he continues to come back and try again. The one thing I noticed though if he is doing something he enjoys (eating hay) and I have the halter or lead rope he does try to run around and make it difficult to catch him. So I'm not as fun as eating hay yet but I'll take that as a challenge because that won't last long here.
January 13th, 2023
6th day of desensitization
Started off with Exxcel blowing up being tied at the trailer today while I was setting up the camera. He was bouncing from side to side in a panic over his hind legs being in a snow drift *face palm* quite the silly boy he is. Desensitization went well and I find with every session it takes less time with him becoming more comfortable with the desensitization objects. He's allowing the feed bag to be all over him at a faster pace. His really touchy spots are in front of his chest, his legs, and his butt. His legs need a ton of desensitization especially witnessing the snow drift issue today. I introduced stepping onto the feed bag yesterday which he picked up very fast and is willingly going out of his way to attempt doing so whether it scares him or not with no pressure put on him. He's really starting to enjoy being worked with and now nickers to me anytime he sees me. In a week or two the next step will be desensitization with the mattress and a large tarp.
6th day of desensitization
Started off with Exxcel blowing up being tied at the trailer today while I was setting up the camera. He was bouncing from side to side in a panic over his hind legs being in a snow drift *face palm* quite the silly boy he is. Desensitization went well and I find with every session it takes less time with him becoming more comfortable with the desensitization objects. He's allowing the feed bag to be all over him at a faster pace. His really touchy spots are in front of his chest, his legs, and his butt. His legs need a ton of desensitization especially witnessing the snow drift issue today. I introduced stepping onto the feed bag yesterday which he picked up very fast and is willingly going out of his way to attempt doing so whether it scares him or not with no pressure put on him. He's really starting to enjoy being worked with and now nickers to me anytime he sees me. In a week or two the next step will be desensitization with the mattress and a large tarp.
February 7th, 2023
16th day of desensitization (1 week off due to below temps and windchill)
Exxcel has been doing great for most desensitization objects. We started on the mattress a few weeks ago. I decided to take my time with him on it as he doesn't like it very much. Although, he is willing and tries hard for me. He isn't a fan of his hind legs touching it, walking over it, or balancing on it and that's okay. We'll get there eventually but it is important that he learns how and does so comfortably so future occurrences such as mud or anything to do with unbalanced ground doesn't have him surprised and blowing up down the road. He is good for his front legs, he does really well even though it took a little to get him to fully want to step a foot up onto the mattress at first. I'll try to get a video of this soon.
Decided to try desensitization on the saddle to get him ready for riding. I was fully expecting some blow ups and surprisingly we have no bucks yet. Kicking on the other hand... I had to make the video short, unfortunately, as the string holding my phone up was getting in the way making the focus bad. The clips go in order from what I could pull from the video, and we left on a good note with him not minding my shenanigans so much and not kicking out. He doesn't mind me tossing the feed bag full of hay all over him, at him, or on him. He's okay with it bouncing around on his back (to my surprise). It's just when it starts moving down the saddle or by his hind end that he feels he needs to protect himself. So yet again, showing that his hind legs/end need a lot more desensitization work.
16th day of desensitization (1 week off due to below temps and windchill)
Exxcel has been doing great for most desensitization objects. We started on the mattress a few weeks ago. I decided to take my time with him on it as he doesn't like it very much. Although, he is willing and tries hard for me. He isn't a fan of his hind legs touching it, walking over it, or balancing on it and that's okay. We'll get there eventually but it is important that he learns how and does so comfortably so future occurrences such as mud or anything to do with unbalanced ground doesn't have him surprised and blowing up down the road. He is good for his front legs, he does really well even though it took a little to get him to fully want to step a foot up onto the mattress at first. I'll try to get a video of this soon.
Decided to try desensitization on the saddle to get him ready for riding. I was fully expecting some blow ups and surprisingly we have no bucks yet. Kicking on the other hand... I had to make the video short, unfortunately, as the string holding my phone up was getting in the way making the focus bad. The clips go in order from what I could pull from the video, and we left on a good note with him not minding my shenanigans so much and not kicking out. He doesn't mind me tossing the feed bag full of hay all over him, at him, or on him. He's okay with it bouncing around on his back (to my surprise). It's just when it starts moving down the saddle or by his hind end that he feels he needs to protect himself. So yet again, showing that his hind legs/end need a lot more desensitization work.
First time working on the mattress after a week off of training and he climbed right up and went over it without a problem! Getting his hind legs over the mattress wasn't an issue at all this time which makes me happy to see we had left off with being scared of even getting a hind foot onto the mattress with our last session and bouncing sideways or going really fast over it, so he didn't have to step on it.
March 7th, 2023
25th day of training. (On and off training with the weather and no suitable places to work horses in)
Talk about progress! Exxcel and I have still been working with his legs with desensitization objects, throwing objects onto his back/butt area (As it's been a very sensitive area for him). As well as dragging objects. Dragging objects has been a challenge for him too but he is willing and okay with it as long as his legs don't get tangled into anything, which is understandable. He has greatly improved on allowing the bag full of hay to get tossed around, fall off of him, touch his legs. As you can see today, he had a "brain fart" as I call them, when the bag fell down on the opposite side that hadn't got worked with yet today and he kicked out at it. The first day working with him on this, all he did was kick at the bag. But there is progress and from the last video of this, to now, you can tell he is more trusting with it. The reason why I am insistent on him being okay with this form of desensitization with the bag is 1. He needs to get used to things touching his body all over the place 2. I want him to be okay with objects on his back and specifically by his legs. 3. So, I don't get kicked while I'm down if he bucks me off. That's the first thing I see in my mind when he kicks at things by his hind feet. It's just his natural response to things touching his legs or falling down by them at the moment and I would rather we change that behavior into something positive before taking saddle training to the next level with riding around as a precaution.
I got on him today! To me, this is a huge success. Especially since this isn't the first time, I've been on him but the first time he was comfortable with it! I unfortunately didn't get a video of the first time because it was an impatient night shift training session with the thought process of "this training session is going so well, I want to at least try it before quitting" type deal at 3 in the morning lol. That session he was very anxious though. He does this mouth thing where he moves it nonstop as if he were searching for food in an anxious manner, he was yawning the entire time and licking his lips. I didn't ask anything from him other than to stand still and allow me on his back without issue. Which he did as he did here in this video too. Only difference in this video is that he was so much calmer and happier with me in the saddle. I'm hoping for things to continue well in the saddle as time goes on. But I'm a little disappointed that communication between his previous trainer is not going well as she apparently refuses to give me any information of where he is or was currently at in training when he was with her or go further into detail on the issues, she claims he has. SO, I guess I'll just continue as I'm doing and hope for the best! He is such a lover boy, and he seems to be enjoying his time with me I love him to pieces already.
25th day of training. (On and off training with the weather and no suitable places to work horses in)
Talk about progress! Exxcel and I have still been working with his legs with desensitization objects, throwing objects onto his back/butt area (As it's been a very sensitive area for him). As well as dragging objects. Dragging objects has been a challenge for him too but he is willing and okay with it as long as his legs don't get tangled into anything, which is understandable. He has greatly improved on allowing the bag full of hay to get tossed around, fall off of him, touch his legs. As you can see today, he had a "brain fart" as I call them, when the bag fell down on the opposite side that hadn't got worked with yet today and he kicked out at it. The first day working with him on this, all he did was kick at the bag. But there is progress and from the last video of this, to now, you can tell he is more trusting with it. The reason why I am insistent on him being okay with this form of desensitization with the bag is 1. He needs to get used to things touching his body all over the place 2. I want him to be okay with objects on his back and specifically by his legs. 3. So, I don't get kicked while I'm down if he bucks me off. That's the first thing I see in my mind when he kicks at things by his hind feet. It's just his natural response to things touching his legs or falling down by them at the moment and I would rather we change that behavior into something positive before taking saddle training to the next level with riding around as a precaution.
I got on him today! To me, this is a huge success. Especially since this isn't the first time, I've been on him but the first time he was comfortable with it! I unfortunately didn't get a video of the first time because it was an impatient night shift training session with the thought process of "this training session is going so well, I want to at least try it before quitting" type deal at 3 in the morning lol. That session he was very anxious though. He does this mouth thing where he moves it nonstop as if he were searching for food in an anxious manner, he was yawning the entire time and licking his lips. I didn't ask anything from him other than to stand still and allow me on his back without issue. Which he did as he did here in this video too. Only difference in this video is that he was so much calmer and happier with me in the saddle. I'm hoping for things to continue well in the saddle as time goes on. But I'm a little disappointed that communication between his previous trainer is not going well as she apparently refuses to give me any information of where he is or was currently at in training when he was with her or go further into detail on the issues, she claims he has. SO, I guess I'll just continue as I'm doing and hope for the best! He is such a lover boy, and he seems to be enjoying his time with me I love him to pieces already.
May 7th, 2023
He's still here, I haven't given up on him. He's going to be trained very slowly and may end up on the back burner here and there as I have to put our sales horses first. I currently have absolutely no plans of selling him and if I can get him safe enough, he will be a main rider around here and then plans may be made. It might take me a year or two to get him where I want him to be. BUT this is the second training session he's had this month so far and the funny thing is, he was an absolute angel and did not spook at ANYTHING I did with him during the last session which had me really excited for this session. The first training session was also his first time with the huge tarp which he handled really well. He was a bit off today and it shows, although this is how he was when I first got him too so maybe the time off set him back a little. My mother was washing her truck not too far away so that could have had an effect on things!
Just a short little clip of this goof ball and his spooky overreactive behavior Now that I've had enough time to spend with him and feel I know him pretty well. I am beginning to realize it isn't his disposition, he is mostly terrified of people and how or what they do around/with him. He acts like he is going to get the crap pounded out of him 99% of the time but ONLY if you have something in your hand. Buckets are a HUGE problem and have been since he got here but being I haven't had him in our graining tie time along with the other horses as he's been separated to eat, up until the last couple months, if you walk up to him with a bucket of grain his eyes get huge, he starts snorting, he backs up, and if you're not careful enough with how you approach him, he will jump any which way to get away from you or on top of you. Which to me, is weird for a typical horse ESPECIALLY if he knows there is said grain in bucket (something positive and to look forward to every single time) and he has been in a normal routine of being grained this way for a while now. If you have anything in your hand whether that be a brush, a whip, a bottle, a bucket it is a reoccurring theme. Once he knows you're not going to hurt him with it though, he immediately has a changed behavior, and it is absolutely no big deal. Yes, he's a spooky boy. But if he was spooky by those things alone, it wouldn't be every single time thing even after those particular objects were worked with him over and over again. There would be SOME progress with those things with some training, but there is not. It's some form of PTSD and I expect if I ever get him over it fully, it will also have to be worked with, with someone else. Trina was the exact same way, although she is better than before, it was a very long road to get there.
I will also say, all it takes is one time to get an Arabian that is sensitive enough to distrust you or any other person enough where it sees every person as bad. You can't manhandle these horses and if you think you need to at any point in their training, you do not deserve to work with them.
Anyway, Exxcel really has progressed with a lot. He trusts me as much as he can and continues to develop more trust as we continue to work on and through things. The whole video isn't at all as bad as these first few clips look and when I have the extra time, I will put it together and post it. I want to get another few sessions of desensitization in and see where he is at before trying to climb in the saddle again. If this was just an off day, I will take things further and if not, more desensitization it is!
He's still here, I haven't given up on him. He's going to be trained very slowly and may end up on the back burner here and there as I have to put our sales horses first. I currently have absolutely no plans of selling him and if I can get him safe enough, he will be a main rider around here and then plans may be made. It might take me a year or two to get him where I want him to be. BUT this is the second training session he's had this month so far and the funny thing is, he was an absolute angel and did not spook at ANYTHING I did with him during the last session which had me really excited for this session. The first training session was also his first time with the huge tarp which he handled really well. He was a bit off today and it shows, although this is how he was when I first got him too so maybe the time off set him back a little. My mother was washing her truck not too far away so that could have had an effect on things!
Just a short little clip of this goof ball and his spooky overreactive behavior Now that I've had enough time to spend with him and feel I know him pretty well. I am beginning to realize it isn't his disposition, he is mostly terrified of people and how or what they do around/with him. He acts like he is going to get the crap pounded out of him 99% of the time but ONLY if you have something in your hand. Buckets are a HUGE problem and have been since he got here but being I haven't had him in our graining tie time along with the other horses as he's been separated to eat, up until the last couple months, if you walk up to him with a bucket of grain his eyes get huge, he starts snorting, he backs up, and if you're not careful enough with how you approach him, he will jump any which way to get away from you or on top of you. Which to me, is weird for a typical horse ESPECIALLY if he knows there is said grain in bucket (something positive and to look forward to every single time) and he has been in a normal routine of being grained this way for a while now. If you have anything in your hand whether that be a brush, a whip, a bottle, a bucket it is a reoccurring theme. Once he knows you're not going to hurt him with it though, he immediately has a changed behavior, and it is absolutely no big deal. Yes, he's a spooky boy. But if he was spooky by those things alone, it wouldn't be every single time thing even after those particular objects were worked with him over and over again. There would be SOME progress with those things with some training, but there is not. It's some form of PTSD and I expect if I ever get him over it fully, it will also have to be worked with, with someone else. Trina was the exact same way, although she is better than before, it was a very long road to get there.
I will also say, all it takes is one time to get an Arabian that is sensitive enough to distrust you or any other person enough where it sees every person as bad. You can't manhandle these horses and if you think you need to at any point in their training, you do not deserve to work with them.
Anyway, Exxcel really has progressed with a lot. He trusts me as much as he can and continues to develop more trust as we continue to work on and through things. The whole video isn't at all as bad as these first few clips look and when I have the extra time, I will put it together and post it. I want to get another few sessions of desensitization in and see where he is at before trying to climb in the saddle again. If this was just an off day, I will take things further and if not, more desensitization it is!
January 31st, 2024
Exxcel's first training session this year since our last recorded one which honestly, I don't remember how long that's been. May 2023, I guess is the last video I posted. But THE PROGRESS in this video makes my heart happy. It may not look like much, but if you have watched any of the videos of him or saw him in person, you'd know how big this is. He is calm, he is confident, he is LOVING working with me and is trying so hard! I'm really hoping to have enough time for him this Spring to really see how far we can get under saddle. He is no longer scared of buckets, or any object I walk up to him with. He walks up to me immediately in the pasture with his eyes set on me to be taken out and worked, he nickers to me anytime he sees me, and just overall wants to be with me every waking moment lol... His new thing today was getting pushy while I was setting his grain bucket up, bumping into me with his face and getting in my space which has not happened before with anything that included a bucket and while I usually do not tolerate this behavior at all, it is far better to me than him getting scared at any movement I make, the bucket makes, and halter pulling which has been the usual reaction.
You can tell in the video he refuses to take his eyes off of me for any amount of time which is typical for a distrustful horse. Usually after 30 days of desensitization I can get a horse to stand still and allow me to run around doing whatever with desensitization objects and they will stand perfectly still and not look around for me or have to keep eye contact but not reacting is a start and with luck we'll get to that point soon. But allowing him to feel comfortable first is my main priority and that to him right now is keeping his eyes on me at all times and watching my facial reactions and I won't be prematurely pushing him into something unless I am 100% confident, he can handle it and is ready for it mentally.
He has been the most challenging and dangerous Arabian I have ever had in for training due to how much reactivity he shows with anything and everything and his distrust in humans makes it so much worse. I last left off in his training with me being able to climb into the saddle and at least sit there without any reaction or bad behavior. He didn't mind at all, but I want to start all over again before getting to that point once more for my safety and his. I may be more paranoid with him due to hearing about his history vs not usually knowing when I pull a horse out of a kill pen as far as getting to the riding part but after his previous owner/trainer claimed he put her in the hospital, broncs like a rodeo horse under saddle, and broke a woman's pelvis after a year of her attempting to get anywhere with him, I'd rather take her word for it and take my time (whether it's true or not) vs end myself up in the hospital. But I will say I have yet to see any behavior that warrants those claims as of now. He has just been highly reactive and does have some moves here and there if he gets overly frightened.
After this training session though and seeing his confidence, I know there is a great chance we can work through this reactivity in time.
Exxcel's first training session this year since our last recorded one which honestly, I don't remember how long that's been. May 2023, I guess is the last video I posted. But THE PROGRESS in this video makes my heart happy. It may not look like much, but if you have watched any of the videos of him or saw him in person, you'd know how big this is. He is calm, he is confident, he is LOVING working with me and is trying so hard! I'm really hoping to have enough time for him this Spring to really see how far we can get under saddle. He is no longer scared of buckets, or any object I walk up to him with. He walks up to me immediately in the pasture with his eyes set on me to be taken out and worked, he nickers to me anytime he sees me, and just overall wants to be with me every waking moment lol... His new thing today was getting pushy while I was setting his grain bucket up, bumping into me with his face and getting in my space which has not happened before with anything that included a bucket and while I usually do not tolerate this behavior at all, it is far better to me than him getting scared at any movement I make, the bucket makes, and halter pulling which has been the usual reaction.
You can tell in the video he refuses to take his eyes off of me for any amount of time which is typical for a distrustful horse. Usually after 30 days of desensitization I can get a horse to stand still and allow me to run around doing whatever with desensitization objects and they will stand perfectly still and not look around for me or have to keep eye contact but not reacting is a start and with luck we'll get to that point soon. But allowing him to feel comfortable first is my main priority and that to him right now is keeping his eyes on me at all times and watching my facial reactions and I won't be prematurely pushing him into something unless I am 100% confident, he can handle it and is ready for it mentally.
He has been the most challenging and dangerous Arabian I have ever had in for training due to how much reactivity he shows with anything and everything and his distrust in humans makes it so much worse. I last left off in his training with me being able to climb into the saddle and at least sit there without any reaction or bad behavior. He didn't mind at all, but I want to start all over again before getting to that point once more for my safety and his. I may be more paranoid with him due to hearing about his history vs not usually knowing when I pull a horse out of a kill pen as far as getting to the riding part but after his previous owner/trainer claimed he put her in the hospital, broncs like a rodeo horse under saddle, and broke a woman's pelvis after a year of her attempting to get anywhere with him, I'd rather take her word for it and take my time (whether it's true or not) vs end myself up in the hospital. But I will say I have yet to see any behavior that warrants those claims as of now. He has just been highly reactive and does have some moves here and there if he gets overly frightened.
After this training session though and seeing his confidence, I know there is a great chance we can work through this reactivity in time.
July 9th, 2024
This is the first time I've worked with him since January 31st. These sessions also involved absolutely no treats as positive reinforcement! But his progress throughout his previous training sessions with me is a result of a combination of positive reinforcement training, natural horsemanship, and liberty work. I'm a bit delayed in training so far this year due to having so much rain, and our barn is entirely flooded and has been for a while now so training the unbroke horses is taking longer than planned so far this year. I did a short 10-minute desensitization session that was not recorded prior to deciding to record. During it, he tolerated everything so well unlike our last session this Spring where he was still a bit reactive, but still showed significant improvement, he had full trust in me today unlike he has ever shown yet with anything I did so I decided to hop on him. I fully expected something to go wrong or him to start bucking but no! He stood still and just backed up everywhere. Didn't mind being pressured forward, even though he wouldn't go forwards, nothing set him off The first few sessions I did working on mounting him, if I hit him wrong with my foot or the stirrup he'd blow up and bolt or lunge forward. I did get nervous he was going to back into something and freak out a couple of times today though, so I swung off and he didn't even react to that. I would have been eating dirt last year if I had done that! So, I guess I'll just turn him into the first ever only backwards riding trail horse all jokes. I'm still going to take my time with him for both of our safety and see how much progress we'll continue to make. I feel confident enough to start working on saddle training so that is next on the agenda with him. He still needs plenty of desensitization yet, but I am so impressed after today. For a horse that got thrown away in a kill pen (and almost shot since he was said to be such a dangerous horse prior) that apparently broncs like a rodeo horse and has hurt people in the past, he sure is turning around from the behaviors I've personally seen Proof that a horse in the right hands is far better off than in the wrong. I truly do not believe this horse has meant any harm towards anyone; he is the sweetest soul. I think he was just failed by people along the way. You can tell he's so happy to be worked with and in my presence vs when I first got him, he was terrified of people and everything else. Couldn't move slow enough around him without setting him off.
This is the first time I've worked with him since January 31st. These sessions also involved absolutely no treats as positive reinforcement! But his progress throughout his previous training sessions with me is a result of a combination of positive reinforcement training, natural horsemanship, and liberty work. I'm a bit delayed in training so far this year due to having so much rain, and our barn is entirely flooded and has been for a while now so training the unbroke horses is taking longer than planned so far this year. I did a short 10-minute desensitization session that was not recorded prior to deciding to record. During it, he tolerated everything so well unlike our last session this Spring where he was still a bit reactive, but still showed significant improvement, he had full trust in me today unlike he has ever shown yet with anything I did so I decided to hop on him. I fully expected something to go wrong or him to start bucking but no! He stood still and just backed up everywhere. Didn't mind being pressured forward, even though he wouldn't go forwards, nothing set him off The first few sessions I did working on mounting him, if I hit him wrong with my foot or the stirrup he'd blow up and bolt or lunge forward. I did get nervous he was going to back into something and freak out a couple of times today though, so I swung off and he didn't even react to that. I would have been eating dirt last year if I had done that! So, I guess I'll just turn him into the first ever only backwards riding trail horse all jokes. I'm still going to take my time with him for both of our safety and see how much progress we'll continue to make. I feel confident enough to start working on saddle training so that is next on the agenda with him. He still needs plenty of desensitization yet, but I am so impressed after today. For a horse that got thrown away in a kill pen (and almost shot since he was said to be such a dangerous horse prior) that apparently broncs like a rodeo horse and has hurt people in the past, he sure is turning around from the behaviors I've personally seen Proof that a horse in the right hands is far better off than in the wrong. I truly do not believe this horse has meant any harm towards anyone; he is the sweetest soul. I think he was just failed by people along the way. You can tell he's so happy to be worked with and in my presence vs when I first got him, he was terrified of people and everything else. Couldn't move slow enough around him without setting him off.
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August 3rd, 2024
Well, I have a few photos of Exxcel finally walking forwards. I have a video that will be posted when able. Even though moving forward was all on his terms and where he wanted to go, I was just happy to be moving in the right direction! he's got such a long neck!!
Well, I have a few photos of Exxcel finally walking forwards. I have a video that will be posted when able. Even though moving forward was all on his terms and where he wanted to go, I was just happy to be moving in the right direction! he's got such a long neck!!
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August 13th, 2024
Had tying time today as well as being ponied all over the place. I want to get him learning forward motion even more and seeing the farm (which he hasn't seen much of it yet) before riding him about. Even though he fought being ponied the whole way, being my ponying horse is a mare and is a boss mare, it is to be expected. He didn't spook once or get anxious. Just kept following and acted like it was no big deal! Once I get him ponying a bit better, I'll introduce the desensitization tools from the saddle of the other horse around the farm and see how that goes!
Had tying time today as well as being ponied all over the place. I want to get him learning forward motion even more and seeing the farm (which he hasn't seen much of it yet) before riding him about. Even though he fought being ponied the whole way, being my ponying horse is a mare and is a boss mare, it is to be expected. He didn't spook once or get anxious. Just kept following and acted like it was no big deal! Once I get him ponying a bit better, I'll introduce the desensitization tools from the saddle of the other horse around the farm and see how that goes!
August 21st, 2024
Working on desensitization of the tarp! During this session he was really quite uneasy in the beginning. As you can see, I did not make or force him into anything other than guide his direction back towards the tarp instead of allowing him to run away and avoid it. I continued to give him time and let him choose when he felt comfortable enough to put another foot onto the tarp. He is fully ready to take it this far in his desensitization, but the tarp is still a pretty big deal to him yet (I have worked on the large tarp with him before but stopped until he had more desensitization with other objects and was fully comfortable with those) The tarp still causes him to react vs relax but I'm sure continuous progress will be made like this session. I left off right when he was comfortable with the tarp flapping and walking up onto it without reacting and figured it was better to leave off on a good note for this session! Hopefully we'll have a good impression and less reactive response for the next time this was the first session where he has ever walked across the tarp without only lunging himself into the air or almost over the top of me too, I should add!
Working on desensitization of the tarp! During this session he was really quite uneasy in the beginning. As you can see, I did not make or force him into anything other than guide his direction back towards the tarp instead of allowing him to run away and avoid it. I continued to give him time and let him choose when he felt comfortable enough to put another foot onto the tarp. He is fully ready to take it this far in his desensitization, but the tarp is still a pretty big deal to him yet (I have worked on the large tarp with him before but stopped until he had more desensitization with other objects and was fully comfortable with those) The tarp still causes him to react vs relax but I'm sure continuous progress will be made like this session. I left off right when he was comfortable with the tarp flapping and walking up onto it without reacting and figured it was better to leave off on a good note for this session! Hopefully we'll have a good impression and less reactive response for the next time this was the first session where he has ever walked across the tarp without only lunging himself into the air or almost over the top of me too, I should add!
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September 10th, 2024
Working on getting him moving forwards willingly. He seems to either get uncomfortable or just not understand fully what I'm asking yet and decides not to walk out or willingly even take a step forwards on his own and after many attempts of trying to get him to walk out without help, I decided ponying may work to get it to finally "click" and it did he needed a little help here and there but he is making progress each training session. Even went through the muddy section without issue. He was pretty calm the whole time, we had one tiny spook over something I'm not sure of but no big reactions. Excuse the messy barn, it's still drying up from being flooded!
Working on getting him moving forwards willingly. He seems to either get uncomfortable or just not understand fully what I'm asking yet and decides not to walk out or willingly even take a step forwards on his own and after many attempts of trying to get him to walk out without help, I decided ponying may work to get it to finally "click" and it did he needed a little help here and there but he is making progress each training session. Even went through the muddy section without issue. He was pretty calm the whole time, we had one tiny spook over something I'm not sure of but no big reactions. Excuse the messy barn, it's still drying up from being flooded!
September 24th, 2024
Exxcel WLF - Training session today! Getting more willing to walk forwards and he is super comfortable being ridden. I feel comfortable to push him forward without fearing a big reaction and he isn't reactive towards any pushing or correction at this time, thankfully. His progress is really great to see. Towards the end, I was wondering why he wouldn't follow me at Liberty! Come to find out he just had to pee really bad and seemed like he wasn't sure he should, but he came to me right after. Such a goof. Rode Exxcel in the barn for about a half hour! He's going forwards more willingly and only gets "stuck" or "freezes" here and there but I've started to push him forward without any reactions with kicking and lightly tapping his butt and sometimes he responds to turning his neck side to side and goes forward. But he seemed very comfortable and enjoyed our training session today. Took him for a walk at Liberty around the circle as well to get him used to more outside things before he ends up carrying me around outside! He did great and didn't spook. Was just cautious with newer things which was great to see. He's such a good boy it's a great feeling to feel comfortable enough to ride him alone finally!!
Exxcel WLF - Training session today! Getting more willing to walk forwards and he is super comfortable being ridden. I feel comfortable to push him forward without fearing a big reaction and he isn't reactive towards any pushing or correction at this time, thankfully. His progress is really great to see. Towards the end, I was wondering why he wouldn't follow me at Liberty! Come to find out he just had to pee really bad and seemed like he wasn't sure he should, but he came to me right after. Such a goof. Rode Exxcel in the barn for about a half hour! He's going forwards more willingly and only gets "stuck" or "freezes" here and there but I've started to push him forward without any reactions with kicking and lightly tapping his butt and sometimes he responds to turning his neck side to side and goes forward. But he seemed very comfortable and enjoyed our training session today. Took him for a walk at Liberty around the circle as well to get him used to more outside things before he ends up carrying me around outside! He did great and didn't spook. Was just cautious with newer things which was great to see. He's such a good boy it's a great feeling to feel comfortable enough to ride him alone finally!!
September 30th, 2024
He did great today! Video will be uploaded soon. Finally have more willingness going forward and he is reacting to getting scared of things by shying away and just remaining cautious instead of being reactive and exploding which I'm very happy to see. He's gaining confidence in himself, trusting me as a rider to guide him in different situations, and is willing to continue to do so. He is making so much progress! The defensive and unpredictable horse I once knew is starting to become unrecognizable!
He did great today! Video will be uploaded soon. Finally have more willingness going forward and he is reacting to getting scared of things by shying away and just remaining cautious instead of being reactive and exploding which I'm very happy to see. He's gaining confidence in himself, trusting me as a rider to guide him in different situations, and is willing to continue to do so. He is making so much progress! The defensive and unpredictable horse I once knew is starting to become unrecognizable!
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October 8th, 2024
It can be very easy to get frustrated and lose sight of progress that has been made when something is not going the way you want it to.
Today, I tried getting Exxcel to lunge in different places in an attempt to start working on learning foot placement and building strength on hills. He already knows how to lunge but it's been a while. Well, he decided that only lunging in the field at a WTC both ways, twice, was enough and that he'd rather refuse to move forward and work on desensitization instead. Which is okay, I know he loves to do it, and it's become his "safety blanket" since I started him when he gets nervous or uncomfortable. I most certainly won't complain about that. But, it's time for him to learn new things. So, I decided to bring him to one of the smaller hills I use to start them on, on the ground mind you. He then too, decided he would rather refuse to move. So I started really smacking the whip on the ground (not at him) in an attempt to create some momentum. I was jumping all over the place, swirling that thing around, losing my patience and then it hit me.. Exxcel has never been okay with loud cracking noises or even whips, until today. This boy stood there through my shenanigans and was like okay mom where's my snack? Like the best boy ever. While, I was frustrated over him not willing to work with me on lunging through new situations, he was just getting comfortable with the type of desensitization that came from the whip in new situations. Not only that, but I've realized him getting "stuck" by refusing to move forward at times is the progress I've created through desensitization. Instead of him blowing up, kicking, jumping straight in the air, running me over, or going off bucking. He has learned to stand still and not move and wait for me to help him through what's bothering or scaring him. This is exactly what I've wanted from the start of his training. He's learning to be less reactive and more trusting. The lunging can wait. Every day he shows me more progress than the day before!
It can be very easy to get frustrated and lose sight of progress that has been made when something is not going the way you want it to.
Today, I tried getting Exxcel to lunge in different places in an attempt to start working on learning foot placement and building strength on hills. He already knows how to lunge but it's been a while. Well, he decided that only lunging in the field at a WTC both ways, twice, was enough and that he'd rather refuse to move forward and work on desensitization instead. Which is okay, I know he loves to do it, and it's become his "safety blanket" since I started him when he gets nervous or uncomfortable. I most certainly won't complain about that. But, it's time for him to learn new things. So, I decided to bring him to one of the smaller hills I use to start them on, on the ground mind you. He then too, decided he would rather refuse to move. So I started really smacking the whip on the ground (not at him) in an attempt to create some momentum. I was jumping all over the place, swirling that thing around, losing my patience and then it hit me.. Exxcel has never been okay with loud cracking noises or even whips, until today. This boy stood there through my shenanigans and was like okay mom where's my snack? Like the best boy ever. While, I was frustrated over him not willing to work with me on lunging through new situations, he was just getting comfortable with the type of desensitization that came from the whip in new situations. Not only that, but I've realized him getting "stuck" by refusing to move forward at times is the progress I've created through desensitization. Instead of him blowing up, kicking, jumping straight in the air, running me over, or going off bucking. He has learned to stand still and not move and wait for me to help him through what's bothering or scaring him. This is exactly what I've wanted from the start of his training. He's learning to be less reactive and more trusting. The lunging can wait. Every day he shows me more progress than the day before!
October 8th, 2024
During our training session today! First time getting the large tarp on him and on top of him! Wasn't sure what to think at first and he wanted to react a few times with it on him, but he allowed me to guide him through it without reacting!
During our training session today! First time getting the large tarp on him and on top of him! Wasn't sure what to think at first and he wanted to react a few times with it on him, but he allowed me to guide him through it without reacting!
December 10th, 2024
Exxcel had his hooves trimmed and did absolutely wonderful. Stood as still as could be without a snort even with the rasp and just said "yes" the whole time!
Exxcel had his hooves trimmed and did absolutely wonderful. Stood as still as could be without a snort even with the rasp and just said "yes" the whole time!
December 28th, 2024
Took Exxcel out for his first trail ride! Was roughly 2 hours long, he did absolutely fantastic with only having one reaction which was a spin but shut down after the spin which made me happy. He went by mailboxes, goats, barking dogs, garbage cans, a person with their dog, a flag, and saw deer jumping out a ways down. Went through deep mud, large puddles, small puddles, wet loud sloppy gravel. He was very calm and waited to respond to me in different situations or just stop and process things before continuing. By the end of the trail ride he was confidently curious and leading a bit here and there. I'm very happy with where he is at, and I was going to wait until this Spring to take him out on his first trail ride but figured we can always go back if he wasn't ready. Well, he let me know he was ready today if he continues to progress well and shows no dangerous behaviors, he will be listed for sale by at least Fall 2025 and his progress will continuously be posted below!
Took Exxcel out for his first trail ride! Was roughly 2 hours long, he did absolutely fantastic with only having one reaction which was a spin but shut down after the spin which made me happy. He went by mailboxes, goats, barking dogs, garbage cans, a person with their dog, a flag, and saw deer jumping out a ways down. Went through deep mud, large puddles, small puddles, wet loud sloppy gravel. He was very calm and waited to respond to me in different situations or just stop and process things before continuing. By the end of the trail ride he was confidently curious and leading a bit here and there. I'm very happy with where he is at, and I was going to wait until this Spring to take him out on his first trail ride but figured we can always go back if he wasn't ready. Well, he let me know he was ready today if he continues to progress well and shows no dangerous behaviors, he will be listed for sale by at least Fall 2025 and his progress will continuously be posted below!
January 2nd, 2025
Little video of Exxcel today! Doing so good with desensitization. Was confusing him a bit with asking him to stand because he's so used to following me with the whip/bag combo, but it is what it is. I don't think he even flinches anymore to be honest! He's just so happy to be worked with.
Little video of Exxcel today! Doing so good with desensitization. Was confusing him a bit with asking him to stand because he's so used to following me with the whip/bag combo, but it is what it is. I don't think he even flinches anymore to be honest! He's just so happy to be worked with.
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January 8th, 2025
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I've decided to start ground driving Exxcel to help with his confidence. He did absolutely amazing. He's very attuned to vocal commands already and is such a patient boy so it made the first training session pretty easy. Just a slow walk, stop, and turn we worked on today. He'd stop immediately and wait patiently until I asked him to move forwards. Only hiccup we ran into at first was him getting concerned and not wanting to move forwards at all when we first started so I brought the whip for noise encouragement to get him to go forwards. Exxcel learned from our desensitization to stop and not move at all vs react and blow up as he was doing when he first came here. Which I'm happy with during the right situations it's needed for, but it started to become an issue while in the saddle as anytime he got concerned, he'd stop and refuse to move. So, I'm using the ground driving to train the forward movement back into him now that we have his "big reactions" in control. We went around the circle a few times, past vehicles alongside the driveway, in between some trees, through some brush, and in foreign areas he hasn't been in before on the farm. He continued forward with encouragement without any issues or reactions and ended up on a good note for the day. I'm so proud of him!
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I love how excited he gets to see me he's definitely one of the favorites on the farm. Whenever someone is in the same pen as him he walks up to you doing his trick "yes" until he gets some attention.
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January 9th, 2025
2nd Ground Driving Training Session (Photos)
Exxcel did wonderful today for his ground driving session. We started out going around the circle, going in between trees, and working on a walk, stop, & turning. He didn't need encouragement from the whip for the most part unless he got "stuck" seeing something new. He is understanding going forward fairly quick without issue or hesitance he actually is a lot more confident ground driving going out by himself then he is with someone in the saddle, so I feel this is a huge bonus to his training. He continues at a nice pace and barely questions anything unless he hasn't seen it before so I'm hoping with 30 days of ground driving, it will really instill the confidence and forwardness under saddle that I'm still waiting for so he can be ridden out alone. He only got "stuck" twice today, once was going in between brush and a pile of stacked tires (The scariest thing today), and he thought about quickly moving forwards past it, but I laid on the brakes and asked him to stand next to them patiently before continuing forward, which he did in fact do. I appreciated that reaction. The second was going in between a tree with low branches and a stump on the other side. The branches would touch him and he'd either have to brush up against them to not be close to the stump or he'd have to get closer to the stump to avoid the branches. He at first was scared of the stump, but I encouraged him forwards and let him think his way through only giving him the option of going forwards. He decided to confidently walk himself in between the two and didn't offer to speed up or anything. He just needed time to figure it out himself.
We ended up going all the way down the driveway, through the field. Some of our gravel is too large for them to comfortably walk on for long periods of time and he let me know he was getting sore, so I let him take the field instead. Got him into a trot to see how that would go, and he trotted respectfully without going too slow or too fast. I felt comfortable asking him to trot two more times and he responded well to asking him to go back into a walk and then stop. He's got a really cute slow fancy trot I did notice! Then I started working more on a good "whoa" as he was a little less patient than he was yesterday. By that time the GMC went by, and I figured to let him stand while it did, and he didn't have any reaction, so we followed it a bit at a trot, and he wasn't hesitant at all!
When the training session was over, I undid his lines and let him follow me at Liberty back to the hitching post!
2nd Ground Driving Training Session (Photos)
Exxcel did wonderful today for his ground driving session. We started out going around the circle, going in between trees, and working on a walk, stop, & turning. He didn't need encouragement from the whip for the most part unless he got "stuck" seeing something new. He is understanding going forward fairly quick without issue or hesitance he actually is a lot more confident ground driving going out by himself then he is with someone in the saddle, so I feel this is a huge bonus to his training. He continues at a nice pace and barely questions anything unless he hasn't seen it before so I'm hoping with 30 days of ground driving, it will really instill the confidence and forwardness under saddle that I'm still waiting for so he can be ridden out alone. He only got "stuck" twice today, once was going in between brush and a pile of stacked tires (The scariest thing today), and he thought about quickly moving forwards past it, but I laid on the brakes and asked him to stand next to them patiently before continuing forward, which he did in fact do. I appreciated that reaction. The second was going in between a tree with low branches and a stump on the other side. The branches would touch him and he'd either have to brush up against them to not be close to the stump or he'd have to get closer to the stump to avoid the branches. He at first was scared of the stump, but I encouraged him forwards and let him think his way through only giving him the option of going forwards. He decided to confidently walk himself in between the two and didn't offer to speed up or anything. He just needed time to figure it out himself.
We ended up going all the way down the driveway, through the field. Some of our gravel is too large for them to comfortably walk on for long periods of time and he let me know he was getting sore, so I let him take the field instead. Got him into a trot to see how that would go, and he trotted respectfully without going too slow or too fast. I felt comfortable asking him to trot two more times and he responded well to asking him to go back into a walk and then stop. He's got a really cute slow fancy trot I did notice! Then I started working more on a good "whoa" as he was a little less patient than he was yesterday. By that time the GMC went by, and I figured to let him stand while it did, and he didn't have any reaction, so we followed it a bit at a trot, and he wasn't hesitant at all!
When the training session was over, I undid his lines and let him follow me at Liberty back to the hitching post!
Exxcel's overall progress from December 2022-December 2024
- Isn't afraid of people anymore, even strangers. He is always looking forward to attention from anyone.
- Isn't afraid of being walked up towards with a bucket anymore (Even if it's empty).
- He is always waiting for attention, walks up to you in the pasture, pesters you until you give in and give him love.
- Will follow anyone, anywhere with minimal distraught. Barely lets a snort out anymore (He would jump into your lap almost before),
- Doesn't rush gates in and out when turning him loose or pulling him out of the pasture (being insecure).
- Ties for hours without issue no matter what is going on. 30mph winds+, machinery going, vehicles, other horses getting desensitized, etc.
- Is NOT buddy sour AT ALL. Can stand tied alone without any impatience or distraught behavior. He actually falls asleep. He knows this is his "safe" place where he won't get bothered by people or other horses.
- He prefers to be with people over the other horses and never nickers out to other horses when being worked with.
- Isn't scared of Desensitization objects and stands still allowing you to shake them all over him or around him and is calm as can be throughout it.
- Will step onto Desensitization objects without issue and will kick them backwards towards his hind legs without freaking out.
- Doesn't mind objects being dropped from the saddle anymore.
- Hasn't offered to kick anything or desensitization objects since July 2024, which has given me confidence to trust being in the saddle.
- Doesn't mind things touching, bumping, or around his legs anymore.
- Doesn't mind whips and bags anymore. Both were especially scary to him at first, but he is learning they are harmless.
- Doesn't mind loud sounds anymore. Crackling of the whip, bags, tarps, etc. he just stands there.
- Stands still for saddling, mounting, and dismounting (won't even move a foot).
- Goes through mud, water, up and down hills, etc. Puddles are still a bit scary, but he will step into them if pressured.
- Stands wonderfully for the farrier throughout getting all four hooves trimmed and rasped. He also has never offered bad behavior for this since I got him but would snort and get uneasy at first (He doesn't at all anymore).
- Is a lot more comfortable with the mattress and tarp. Still needs work on the tarp as if it gets caught around him funny, he freezes and gets a wide-eyed look but doesn't react and waits for my guidance. But he's had the least amount of time with the tarp. When I originally planned on starting him on it right away, I ended up waiting until May 2023 to start him on it instead.
- Ponies out nicely behind other horses as long as they're not showing signs of aggression towards him, if they do, he is harder to pull forwards (understandably so).
- Has been ponied behind an atv several times and actually did really well with that even with his first time.
- Has been ridden indoors and outdoors at a walk only. Knows how to move forwards, turn both ways, and has the basics of a "whoa" down. In a knot halter only. I have yet to transition him into a bit, but I want him a bit softer with those commands first.
- Sales horses got put first ahead of him again this Fall, so training with him has been limited except for tying time. He's still been pulled out with everyone else for that.
- I will be starting his training back up again this Winter during good weather and he is on the priority list for Spring 2025 as I believe he is ready to be pushed under saddle with hopes of getting him down to Zumbro Bottoms at least by Fall 2025 but I'm hoping it'll be sooner than that! Keep following for updates!
Things Exxcel has no problem doing:
- Stands great for the farrier!
- Loads in the trailer, stands patiently in the trailer, and ties in the trailer without issue.
- Is good for wormer & vaccinations.
- Is good for being groomed, getting his bridle path trimmed (with a scissors).
- Is good for being blanketed.
- Is good for getting a fly mask put on and has yet to take one off on his own.
- Is good and respectful of all types of fences/gates. Has NOT rammed into any gates since his first few months of being here. He has never gone through our 4-5 stranded hot wire fence or gotten out when the fence has been off.
- Is good in a stall, pasture, pasture of 20+ horses, or by himself.
- Knows how to say "Yes" on command or does so when he feels he needs reassurance with something.
- Knows the cue "Up" which means to step onto an object, obstacle, etc. starting with his two front legs. He listens to the vocal cue as well as will copy you if you raise your leg and paw on the ground,
- Knows the basics of Liberty work which I started right away. He will follow you anywhere at a Walk/Trot. Will stop when you stop, back up when you back up, etc.
- He is very intelligent and will watch your body language like a hawk to determine if he is safe with you and he has since I got him. He makes eye contact and will always try to keep eyes on you at all times, he watches your facial expressions too, but this makes for easy training and a fast learner! He is super easy to teach new things to because of this and would make an excellent Liberty/Trick horse long term not to mention, he really enjoys it.
Next training plans / Things that need work still:
- Desensitization with a large tarp (Needs more confidence)
- Desensitization with a hanging large tarp (Hasn't done yet)
- Dragging desensitization objects (Needs work)
- Introduced into a bit (Haven't done yet due to wanting more softness first).
- Getting into a Trot/Canter (Not trying to push under saddle but when I feel he is ready, we will get there).
- Riding out around the circle (Around the farm, haven't done yet).
- Riding out alone (Haven't done yet).
- Trail riding (Haven't done yet).