Sydney's Lesson

Time is short - have to hurry. Sydney's lesson on Monday was short because he "got" the exercise very quickly.

We're working on establishing more inside bend while accepting the contact. After warming up in a large circle, JL had me decrease the circle to about 10 meters.  I was to keep his nose bent into the circle towards her while asking for a few sideways steps out.  When he gave me a few nice steps, I quit asking.  We repeated the exercise for several circles and then let him walk.

After a short break, we did it again: small circle, nose inside the circle, ask, ask, ask, relax. Repeat. The results were very positive. Sydney's ears were flopping to the side and his foot falls were very quiet.

We took another walk break and then tracked right. Right away Sydney was stiff and braced in his neck, but after only a few minutes, he started relaxing and lowered his neck. I tipped his nose in, asked, asked, asked, and then relaxed.

And that was the lesson.  My homework for the next week is to continue with long rein to loosen him up, but then we are to do the 10 meter circle to develop some strength and flexibility in his ribcage.  That's homework that is easy to do!