Yesterday Shunka and I had a breakthrough. I saddled him and put on the sidepull bridle with a long lead rope fashioned to simulate reins and a lead. I did all this in the new round pen out in the yard. Then I had him practice backing off the reins and walking forward when I lifted them. I was standing at the stirrup. First I touched him behind the shoulder, our signal to walk forward and said walk. I quickly decided this would not work well from the saddle so I began to push on the stirrup fender as I said walk. It was slow progress but in the end he walked forward three or four steps. He backs beautifully off the reins but he is a backing machine anyway, so no surprise there. He is still clearly confused by the walk command but is trying very hard to understand and do what Mom wants. I see this as a breakthrough as now I have a plan. I will work on this from the ground and from the saddle, getting on and off as the need arises to reinforce the command.

Pony is now learning to leave the pasture when I ask him. He plants those little hooves and refuses so I have to pull him off balance and get a step or two then I click and give him a treat. He is already a little easier to get moving. Give us a week and he will lead out of the pasture like a lamb.

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