Hamster has been improving greatly.  Now he canters both ways.  You might even say willingly!  My mom has also been working with him, riding him.  As a result, I was able to do a beginner novice dressage test, AT HOME! He is so much more rideable. Hamster has been completely perfect.  Um… that may be a bit of a stretch, but he is so close to where I want him to be in terms of willingness to canter, and jumping.  I was even able to take him on the trail alone with confidence. I now trust him more than I trust my mom’s horse and that’s saying something or not, being a Thoroughbred. Rushing dogs, no problem. Wild turkeys, piece of cake. Deer, what the heck are those!? He stared at them with the most dramatic look I have seen from a horse, ever but he stood his ground!

I have had trouble with the right amount of contact, (Hammie had been very resistant to contact if you remember), but after my mom put tape on my reins and I was able to see where I should put my hands on the reins, things improved a lot. He still needs to work on stretching down but it is better.  It is so different riding Hammie as opposed to Punkyl   Hamster’s trot is like bouncing on a trampoline; on the other hand Punky’s trot is like bouncing in a ball pit.  That is a dramatic change that I have now gotten used to.  As a result I have built my confidence to a greater level. We have developed a partnership. From a horse that would not canter at all to a horse that will canter on cue. We have worked hard together and my horse has become my companion as we venture into the future to be the best that we can be, together.

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