Day 46, July 29th

This morning we are in the outdoor arena early loping more straight lines, riding diagonal lines.
Knight is feeling good! He is improving on his impulsion and is becoming more willing all the time to stay between the bridle reins and my legs. I am looking forward to the Pre Work in Columbia this coming Saturday August 2nd.

Day 45, July 28th

Early Monday morning, more riding in the arena. Loping and going forward is what I am concentrating on, guiding around at a lope. Knight is beginning to get the idea to move away from pressure where ever it comes from. I am looking for him to develop a better attitude about it, it will come. Monday afternoon, I took Knight to a Christian Cowboy Youth Camp for a demonstration. It was Hot, the horse flies were thick, very humid. The horse flies don't' seem to bother Knight very much. As I talk to the kids at the camp and demonstrated some horse handling techniques I noticed there was a girl in the crowd with a bull whip under her chair.
I asked her if she knew how to make that whip pop? She did! So I had her begin to pop that whip and walk pass Knight while she was popping the whip and he just looked at her. After our talk I loped Knight around the field where the camp ground was. I can feel resistance in him to go certain places, so I rode him pretty aggressively to show my lack of approval for his attitude about moving forward. The more he rebels the harder I ride. The freer he becomes, the softer I ride. He is starting to develop a better attitude and I am pleased with his performance.
I feel like we are at a good spot.

Day 42, July 25th

David, Tell and I are going on a ride. David is riding a Peruvian Paso, Tell is riding a quarter horse and I am riding Knight. As we start out the ground is very muddy and I noticed that David and Tell's horses were laboring in the mud. They seem to be sinking and struggling to move forward. While Knight seemed to just glide along on top of the mud. The ride we took lasted nearly two hours. By the time we got back to the barn, Tell and David's horses were ringing wet with sweat and had the look of exhaustion , while Knight barely broke a sweat. He must be one tough horse. He seems to really enjoy being outdoors and away from civilization. So do I!

Day 41 July 24th

Its time for Knight to have a real job. Today I started working other horses on him. He seems to be alittle concerned but as we work he becomes more aware that I am there to help and protect him. The longer we work the more settled he's becoming. Working other horses I feel gives me an opportunity to work on stops and turns more efficiently because the horse I am working gives the one I am riding a signal as to what we're going to do. When the horse I am riding is in the position I need him to be in to properly control the animal I am working. the horse I am riding will feel a sense of freedom and relief. Knight is quickly starting to know what he has to do to get me to give him that freedom. I feel this helps keep his mind clear, I believe it will help in all aspects of his journey.