I have taken Champ out for a couple of rides along the roads around the area, in different directions. As I said before the first time I took him out he showed a bit of spunk on the way home. The second time we did a kind of circular route where he didnt know he was going home - kind of surprised him to end up there! Well yesterday I took him out for a bit longer as I had more time, and all was going fine. I took him a fair way and then let him eat grass. Well, upon heading home, he kicked up a bit of a stink! Seems like the old guy has learnt a few tricks in his life and was testing me out with a few of them!

Initially it was just a bit of trying to trot and me saying "no, walk". So we are then sidestepping and skittering about and jigging. Whilst it was fun, it was by no means what I wanted as I would prefer to do that when I ask him, not just him pushing! Little ****. We are far from home, so I am thinking "hope it's not like this all the way home!". But I am not that fazed - like I said I have time!

We get a little further down the road and he starts skittering his bum around and prancing around, getting worked up. This would be fine if there was not a road there - luckily it is not busy at all. Each car that does pass though, he takes as an opportunity to act up all over again. He gets a sharp smack with my palm and then I start turning him around in tight circles until I am dizzy! I am afraid I lost my patience a little and gave him a few kicks to help him along. I am really pleased with my seat - I didn't budge! But at this point I don't want to excite him further...

We continue slowly homeward, with me stopping him when he gets antsy and turning him around. I have to do this now each time a car comes or he will try his old trick of taking off (or trying to). We get to the intersection and I go home the long way. He gets the idea but is still all jumpity. Further along (we are nearly home) he gets really naughty as one of the horses whinnied out to him. We do a few more circles and then I make him stand there and think about it. He thinks oh well, we will get there backward, but I give him another thwak to wake up to himself. Then we go along to where the road gets more narrow. This is where I get off and walk him home from there. This time I do not loosen off the saddle. This time we go straight to the round pen and I borrow someones lunging whip and make him lunge for a while. Unfortunately I can only make him trot in there as it is a bit small and he is struggling when he canters. It is fairly obvious that someone has belted him with a whip before. He is **** scared of it. Something else to work on...

There is no treats at the end.

I hosed him down and let him go. I am thinking I should have tied him up and let him stand there for a while to think about it! No way am I going to have this everytime! So this is probably our method for a while - ie more work when he gets home - and not just leisurely strolling!

Maybe he is feeling better as he has more nutrition now. That's ok - I want to do more riding anyway. Previously I was thinking 2 - 3 times a week - now I am thinking maybe 3 -4! I must admit I have taken things slow and he's probably thinking he's got a pushover! Er, I dont think so!

Next ride I will keep to the arena, but I will be working on him more outside. We will do shorter rides and then come back and then go back out again until he walks back properly and then some lunging. Still love him though and I am glad he has still got beans to give me some curry but he will soon learn I can handle myself.

Tonight I am just going to groom him and give him a lunge. How long is long enough? Maybe til he breaks a sweat - seems like he needs it anyway! I would love to give him a big long run but I am not ready for that yet. Man, I reckon he could go!