Lex’s Training Plan April 15th-30th 2012 Competition Goals 2012: June Colour Classic APHA Show – Halter & Colour Class September MPHC APHA Show – Halter and 2 year old western pleasure futurity Monthly Training Goals: Active training 3-5 days per week Practice with clippers, focus on ears. Teach to move forward on lunge with side reins. Mount – at least 3 rides by the end of the month Work on basic ground exercises and focus Beginning Comments: Lex is lunging nicely, and is working solidly on all cues. He has had the saddle on about 5 times, and has been lightly flexed to the side with side reins attached to his saddle twice. He is a little slow on the lunge, and would rather go slow than move forward into pressure. Stops and stands when confused with what is asked. Lex is always very quiet, though “into” everything like a lab puppy! Need to work on focus. Date: Training Plan Comments Monday, April 16 Lunge with saddle/bridle Great session!! Moving well, Side flexion (1 side rein) collects better at slower gaits. Introduce vertical collection – light, 2 side reins Stand over on mounting block Tuesday, April 17 Lunge with saddle/bridle Put exercise ball on his saddle! Side flexion (1 side rein) He was great! Tightened side Vertical collection – light, 2 reins, need to move up more at side reins lope. Better at w/j Stand over on mounting block Wednesday, April 18 Lunge with saddle/bridle Put full weight on the saddle on Side flexion (1 side rein) both sides. Lex didn’t care. Vertical collection – Lunged very well, didn’t lunge medium, 2 side reins before saddling. Seemed a bit Stand over on mounting tired. Took out for grass. block (OFF?) Thursday, April 19 OFF OFF Friday, April 20 Lunge with saddle/bridle OFF Side flexion (1 side rein) Vertical collection – light, 2 side reins Date: Training Plan Comments Stand over on mounting block Weight on back (OFF?) Saturday, April 21 Lunge with saddle/bridle Great day – didn’t use side reins, Side flexion (1 side rein) but leaned on Lex. Moving well Vertical collection – light, 2 on lunge. Lazy. side reins Stand over on mounting block Weight on back Sunday April 22 Lunge with saddle/bridle OFF – Helen sick Side flexion (1 side rein) Vertical collection – medium, 2 side reins Stand over on mounting block Weight on back Monday, April 23 Lunge with saddle/bridle OFF – Helen sick Vertical collection – medium, 2 side reins Stand over on mounting block/weight Mount – with handler on lead Tuesday, April 24 Lunge with saddle/bridle OFF – Helen sick Vertical collection – medium, 2 side reins Stand over on mounting block Ride #2 – easy walk/turns Wednesday, April 25 OFF Lunge with saddle/bridle Vertical collection – medium, 2 side reins Stand over on mounting block Michelle led Lex with me leaning over his back. No problems. Really windy night. Thursday, April 26 Lunge with saddle/bridle First ride – Michele lead me Vertical collection – around the ring a few times. No medium, 2 side reins issues. Ride #3 – easy walk/turns Friday, April 27 Lunge with saddle/bridle No one was in the barn, so I Vertical collection – didn’t get on :-( Lunged with side medium, 2 side reins reins, and ground drove for the Date: Training Plan Comments Ride #3 – easy walk/turns first time. Went very well, even Intro to trot straight lies. Saturday, April 28 Lunge with saddle/bridle OFF – but I now have my tire Vertical collection – rims! medium, 2 side reins Ride #3 – easy walk/turns Trot same direction circles Sunday, April 29 Lunge with saddle/bridle Didn’t bother with side reins. Vertical collection – Ride # 2. Went off lead, walked medium, 2 side reins in circles both ways. VERY lazy. Ride #4 – easy walk/turns Good off voice cues, needs work Trot same direction circles moving forward off legs Monday, April 30 Lunge with saddle/bridle Didn’t bother with side reins. Vertical collection – Ride # 3. Went off lead, walked medium, 2 side reins in circles both ways. VERY lazy. Ride #5 – easy walk/turns Good off voice cues, needs work Trot same direction circles moving forward off legs – better Intro to figure 8 trot than yesterday. Very willing – needed ground assistance to get moving a couple of times. Need to firm up “go” cues on the ground. Next ride should push to trot for forward motion. .