Trainer Coming On Thursday!

Good luck! Maybe a picture or two would be great.

instruction is always a good thing. i am sure you will benefit from some personal pointers . hope it works out for you all 

Can't wait to hear how things go with the trainer today!

Zippy did GREAT!!!
She complimented me on his manners, his groundwork and that he was fairly quiet, and comfortable under saddle.
Quite honestly, he did NOT come here that way, so I will take the FULL credit for the improved behaviorThankyou
He hasn't had much work since I got back from the UK, but he was really happy with the attention today.
She worked him on the lunge and under saddle, and he was VERY GOOD
I had told her that our main problem is the canter, as he gets racy, and would not pick up the left lead.
She was able to get him cantering both ways, both leads, and we will continue to work on that.
Shes coming back next week, and we will try working with her once a week
until we get going well with all 3 gaits, in both directions, on a loose rein.

I knew Zippy would like her as she was very quiet with him and he can be very sensitive.
I think its going to work out great!!!

It was nice to see him paying such good attention,.., LOL, he was on his best behavior!!
And once we get him cantering both ways regularly, softly and quietly,., maybe we can work on ME!
He is such a smart horse, and she tapped into his 'good' side, straight away, will very little argument from him.
He can do anything, he just needs to get it figured out mentally, without the anxiety he gets, when hes confused.
I think this will be 'the summer of Zippy',., and then, hopefully, LOTS of trail rides this fall.

Absolutely agree, and Zippy had a 'road block' in his mind about picking up that lead.
She even had to 'stop and focus' on how she could get him on the proper lead.
And KEEP him on it.
Now to introduce and isolate a specific cue to teach him to pick up the canter,., and then,
hopefully, learn a quiet, SOFT, canter departure.

Last night I was looking back at some YouTube videos of Zippy and I working last winter, that hubby had taken,
and he has really made some head way.
He was 'full steam ahead' in those videos, and yesterday, he was thoughtful, listening, and thinking about what
he was being asked to do, instead of 'running away' from legs, seat, reins, etc.
He is one GOOD boy!

Trainer came back today and worked on Zippy's canter.
He did soooooo good, altho showed his true 'self', unlike last week, where he was better behaved,..,
He was spookier, fast, bolting into the canter, fussy with the bit, etc.,., 
the usual antics that were the reasons why I called her in the first place 

She again complimented his manners and ground work, and strategized on techniques to slow
him down and get his mind right about not being so anxious.
She just let him canter until he slowed down naturally himself,., he needs more canter time under saddle,
so hes not so anxious, like a bat out of hell.
She recommended I practice half halts with him when he gets the speed on.
She evaluated my position in the saddle and felt that I had a good seat and quiet hands
( I asked for an honest critique so that nothing i was doing could create, or undo her work).
Also agreed that somewhere in his past, he was treated in a way that made him worried and fearful,
as well, seemed, taught things incorrectly (false frame, bending, and hollowing out his body).
I have always questioned that his previous owner claimed he'd had some dressage training,., 
I NEVER saw anything resembling dressage training with him.
I started him over again under saddle bc he couldn't even walk softly or on a loose rein
and I'm the one who got him walking and jogging softly, as well, put all the ground work on him.
Now I'm really looking forward to getting a proper canter from him.


Zippy is loving it!!
All the attention and special treatment,., she did say he was 'pampered',..,   LOL.
I should hope he is pampered!
Who couldn't pamper that face!

I know, I keep forgetting to take my IPad outside with me,., sorry  
He was good last week, but then I rode yesterday, and he was goofy,., 
LOL, not as goofy as in the past, but not the Zippy she first met.
I said to him, you better show your true colors, and he did,.., she was kind of surprised.
BUT, she rode him thru his antics, and ended on a good note.
Shes really CALM with him, and he needs that.
Her manner is so gentle, and quiet, not rough, or heavy handed with him

She said he was a 'trainers dream' bc he isn't totally a mess,
altho she commented that he had been messed up somewhere along the way with the bolty/racy behavior.
She said young green horses don't generally act like that when asked for the canter,
usually they react more sluggishly, not bolt away fearfully.
So, she comes back next week, and we maintain course thru the summer.
To get my Zippy going nicely will be a real treat for me, and will help me get back into the trail riding I enjoy.