Since my last post Hercules and I have been working on our walking and trotting with both of us staying relaxed at the same time. Some days that is easier than others but we are getting better together.

Tonight we started our routine as usual with some walk, trot, canter transitions on lounge line. Hercules appears to have a bit of a "lazy" side and doesn't really like to stay in the faster gait for very long. Will have to venture out to a bigger area and see if that is the problem or something else.

He was doing really well otherwise and staying calm so I moved right into riding. Tonight was the best night yet. No boogers found either of us and we learned to relax together. However Hercules has been continually getting more stiff when turning to the right with the halter so I added some reins to the bit and began to use the bit to support the turns and he then really seemed to "get it" and became much more light. We also began working on backing up from the saddle.

Hercules was being so good and staying so relaxed I decided to try our first ride out of the round pen. I know I am going slower than a lot of the trainers but I am really enjoying the whole experience and am just proceeding as we both feel comfortable with each other.

Hercules was so awesome. He never even got nervous. I rode him past all the stalls with the boarded horses in them, past the hay barn, past all the chickens milling around and then over some ground poles. He took it all in stride not even spooking when he accidentally stepped on a ground pole and it rolled. He maintained his composure and proceeded on across. I am so proud of how far he has come.

We are almost ready to venture out on a trail ride. Hmmm.. Maybe this weekend.