Day 35

Today I groomed Upendi without him being tied up. He did pretty good when I picked up his feet but he moved a little bit. Then I put his halter on and walked outside his stall to see if he still respected me. The first time we stopped he got and front of me and on his own he got back pretty fast. After that he kept his distance and was sure to stop behind me. I set up and obstacle course that involved trotting, turning and backing. We backed over noodles. He now knows no contact backing. 

Picking out Upendi's feet without him being tied up.

Next we walked out to the trailer and loaded him up and backed him out, no problem. Then we shut the divider before we loaded him in. I shut the divider because that is where he would probably be. Instead of leading him in I sent him in and he walked in like a pro. I walked in behind him and backed him out. 

Upendi in the trailer with the divider shut. Backing out of the trailer.

Then we went back to his run and tied him up I rebraided his mane. Then I went to get the saddle. I let him see it and smell it. Then I put it on his back and cinched up. I walked him to the round pen and lead him around. I lunged him in the saddle so he would know what it feels like on him while he was trotting. Then I trotted him next to me. I took the saddle off when he was ground tied. After he was allowed to run around the round pen I put him away.