Django #4 and #5

Long session today. Played online for a bit. Worked with django on maintain gait, cod and canter departs.

Rode django for a long time. Counterarcs, right lead canter, right side suppleness, bends, bends and bends...  he was pretty tired, but he did very well. He started off blowing me off, but ended very signed on to the partnership.  His counterarcs improved dramatically.  His right bend for much softer and his mouth was finally quiet at the end. He spends a lot of energy trying to find comfort in the snaffle bit without success so I focused on setting it up for him to find it.

Loved this session. Feel good about relating this back to his owner and jerking her find the feeling I found with him.

Django #3

Fun!  Played online, then liberty in the big arena. He enjoys leaving at a fast pace, so we moved to the round pen. Played with change of direction at the trot and yoyo. Tried to create an event with the rope between his front legs, but couldn't make it happen. 

Decent stick to me, but need to fix his strong desire to leave quickly.  It's quite fun for him to do that.  He comes right back, but he's enjoying his ability to choose.

Django #2

Took django down the trail today. It was great to get a feel for how I can help him be a better riding partner for his owner. Here's what I found: 

1)  dull to my leg, doesn't isolate well
2)  doesn't have much flexion or suppleness
3)  Could be much softer in the bit
4)  decent go and whoa
5)  happy in front or behind

Did a lot of weaving and serpentine pattern. Tried to get him bending and softer. Well work on isolation next ride.

Django #1

First session today.  Played with connection, maintain gait and over a barrel.

Just wanted to get a feel for him tonight. He was quite responsive and I'm looking forward to figuring out how I can develop him in two short weeks.