Tonka update!

Tonka and I have now moved our riding training outside of the round pen.  We only go into the pen to warm up, or if Tonka is being naughty and needs to run some laps.  I am toughening up on him and boosting my confidence, as he has a strong desire to be herd sour, and wants very much to decide where we go...

The thing is, he has to listen to me...and we are still establishing that fact.

Before the snow last week, we spent two days in the pasture trotting in circles.  Why?  Because he wanted to bolt and go where HE wanted to go, regardless of the turn signals I was giving him.  So every time he tried to bolt in HIS direction, I turned his head...and we trotted in circles.  Horses do not bolt well with their heads turned to the side.  At first, this was extremely scary for me, as I am still working on keeping my bottom in the saddle....as well as posting while he trots.  Tonka doesn't understand what I'm doing yet with the posting, and as soon as he feels me do it, he stops moving! 

Regardless, we are working through it.  I wish I would have paid the $100 and signed him up for the Clinton Anderson tour.  He would have been a perfect example for the walkabout tour in Kansas City.  Fits the perfect mold.  Stubborn Appaloosa.  But oh, do I LOVE him!!!

More adventure posts to come...and I have NOT fallen off yet!  Crossing my fingers it stays that way!