So good to be back after a very long winter!  I've been freshening up my groundwork skills, reviewing Parelli and catching up on all the Downunder Horsemanship (Clinton Anderson) episodes I recorded from RFD-TV.  Yesterday I decided to get back in the paddock for a first session, and I was amazed at how much Brody remembered, particularly changing direction on a circle.  We seemed to have just about picked up where we left off.  I decided to keep it short and vary the exercises a lot.  

As those who follow Brody on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001366475166) know, overconfidence from this easy success coupled with silly human warm fuzzies over Brody's apparently increased attachment to me after surviving the winter together nearly led to disaster.  Things were going so great I decided to hand graze him as a reward.  We'd only done this a few times since the snow melted, but I nevertheless decided to lead him out the more narrow gate near the covered grill.  He seemed a little nervous going through the gate, so we went in and out a few times until he passed more calmly.  Once he got out of the paddock, I foolishly let Brody pass me in a fairly narrow spot, which is when a gust of wind blew, kicking the grill cover up behind him.  A snort and flash of the heels, and Brody was gone.  He ran around the front of the house and into the backyard.  When Brody spotted me, he snorted and galloped off.  OK, so FONDNESS doesn't mean RESPECT. After a harrowing jaunt across the road to a neighbor's, Brody was soon safely back in his paddock.

Last night I watched some more Clinton Anderson, and today Brody and I had a longer session today.  Brody's willingly standing at liberty for the halter, even dipping his muzzle into the noseband (thank you for your assistance this winter, Petra Christensen at Parelli Central!).  I moved his feet around quite a bit, trotting on the circle today with frequent direction changes, sending him back and forth in front of me in squeeze play with the fence, and working lots on sidepasses, backing, and keeping a respectful distance while following me on the lead. After about an hour, I then tied Brody to a post with a Blocker (Aussie) tie ring and did some densitization/Friendly Game stuff with the rope and stick.  Then I left the paddock and sat down at a picnic table with the excess rope, and started typing this post.  Normally it only takes Brody five to ten minutes to get antsy, but he put up little fuss today.  He was probably tired out!  After 30 minutes, I went into the paddock and un- and re-haltered him a few times.  Then I gave him a carrot.  Good to be back indeed!

As always, you can view my full blog at www.backyardhorsemanship.com