Fifth Ride - I led him up to the mounting block and he stood well as I climbed on and got my stirrups. Then went went around the yard a few times at a walk. He was eager to go out on the road so we did. I didn't want to take him down past the dogs again after yesterday, so I cut through a neighbors yard to get to a vacant field. He was very hesitant through the yard, worried about different colored grass, the pump, a shed. But we got through it.
We made it to the field and started around the perimeter. The field is pretty barren but runs along our property line. The part that runs along our fence is wooded. As we rode along the wooded part, he heard a rustle and spooked. It was just a quick stop and a half turn. I turned him back around and coaxed him past the spot. We went a few more yards and he suddenly leaped up in the air, rather like he does playing in the pasture. I stayed on and got him stopped then scolded him verbally. Then took him in a few short circles and we went on. He did this twice more as we went around the field. The third time, I growled "QUIT" and he did.
He wanted to move out so I let him gait a bit. It was a lovely slow rack. I didn't let him do it for long though and rewarded him with alot of praise. We had been out about a half hour so I figured it was time to go back. Just as I made that decision, there was another hopping incident about the same place as the first one. So we had to go around the field again. We even gaited a bit more. He was pulling for more speed but I wouldn't let him.
After a last sucessful circle, we headed back through the neighbors yard and back home. He let me dismount at the block, though it took a bit for him to line up. We had to go forward and backward a few times and sidepass. He does not like sidepassing under saddle.
All in all, a good ride. Though I was ready to get off after that hopping. I braved it out and I'm hoping we won't have any more of that.
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