Progress!

I just had to write on here about my wonderful horse, Tonka.  We have made some serious progress in the last few weeks and have really become bonded as horse and rider.  Tonka does not like anyone else, but me, on his back (which is an appaloosa trait).  It is unfortunate, but he is extremely well behaved for me, which is all I care about for now. 

Tonight he was fighting the bit on the right side, so once we worked through it,  we decided he was bored and set up an obstacle course for him.  Wow did he LOVE that!  Out of all the times I have ridden him, I have never had him that tuned into me!  It was WAY cool!  We even trotted through the course some, but still have to work on how fluidly we move when we trot (mainly me...staying planted in the saddle and not bouncing).

We are spending most of our time still in the round pen, just working on our skills together, and I am trying to build confidence.  When he gets into the pasture, he wants to take off on me when he goes through the mud or gets too far from the other horses.  Although this is smooth, I am NOT ready for it yet and don't want to do it.  (And I didn't TELL him to go faster, so it becomes a control issue as well.) 

We are learning though...and I have great optimism for what the spring will bring!  We will continue working, through the winter!  :)

Here are some pics of him all saddled up!