We had set up a training session with Tony because we thought we were ready to ride Sunny. In the six weeks we've been playing the games Sunny has changed SO much- for the better. Tony got there as we were ready to saddle Sunny. As we placed the pad on his back he pinned his ears and swished his tail. That's when Tony suggested a lesson in saddling instead of riding. We moved outdoors and Tony went about showing us how to get Sunny to accept the saddle calmly. Wow!! It was amazing to see our horse not get upset saddling or cinching up. Then Tony started playing the circle game with Sunny under saddle. At the trot he was good but when asked to canter he became VERY emotional-bucking and rearing!! Tony worked with him and slowly the emotional side went away and he calmly cantered.The next day I took Sunny out to play thinking that I would work on the saddling part of the training. Well it was great!! The pad went on- he just stood there head down and calm- then the saddle and he acted the same way. In the 2 1/2 years we've had him he has never saddled that calmly. It was so great!! Under saddle I asked him to play the circle game at the trot and he was so good I figured it was a good time to try it at the canter- I was a little nervous as I didn't know if I could be as calm as Tony was if he started to buck and rear. Well- when I asked him to canter he pinned his ears back and he was looking at me with the devil in his eye so I stood straighter and looked him back in the eye hoping to relay what I wanted. Then an amazing thing happened, his ears went forward and he cantered without a problem. He was still emotional but we'll work on that. Thanks Tony- I really feel we came a long way in the time we've been playing with Sunny and really feel like we're all going to be winners with this training.
Judy & Mike
Judy & Mike