Whoa!!!

On Monday afternoon, Shari came out to the stable with me and was brave enough to try riding Rocky. Overall, it went pretty well. I rode him first to make sure he was calm and behaving. Then Shari got up on him.

The problem is that he doesn't neck rein which is the only thing Shari knows. So I was trying to explain to her how to steer him and control him, but it was not ideal because he realized very quickly that she wasn't too sure of herself. He took off on her once because she was clicking at him - she wanted him to turn, but she wasn't really making him turn with the reins. It was a very mixed signal that he was getting, so it wasn't his fault at all. As soon as she said "whoa!" though, he stopped. I was very proud. He certainly knows how to stop, thankfully.

After that, we made him just walk around the arena with her on his back and then I got back on. He was a little naughty for me at first (he was definitely testing me) but it didn't take long for him to start behaving nicely again.

As a bonus, we got some photos of the two of us riding.

Before I get on, I usually walk him around the arena once so he isn't surprised by anything in there while I'm riding.

Rounding the barrel...

Here's Shari (before the incident)

Done riding (time for treats)

And Taco was watching through the arena door the whole time we were in there :)