But, with having woken up he's so much more pony like now under saddle. Testing if I'm in charge over and over by trying to leave the arena or pulling toward the gate when he's ready to be done. He's hotter than my other guys, so I'm very careful to not start any fights with him. I have occasionally reprimanded if he does something that could be considered unsafe, but otherwise I try to point him toward the right choice instead of using discipline so much. It's very different than Miaren who wouldn't take a hint if it hit him over the head. In exciting situations he's shown that he can do a bit of broncing. It doesn't feel like he's trying to get rid of me, more like he's trying to play as a part of the excitement, like a loose horse in a field. Again, I don't think going to major discipline will help, so I do a lot of yelling and redirecting and try to distract some by asking him to do stuff he knows how to do like flexing and leg yields.
If Miaren did this crap I'm not sure I'd continue riding him. This guy is so little it make me feel like I'm a kid again riding my naughty pony. Here are some pictures schooling him.
I love how he bounces through the cavaletti with no feet touching the ground.
Playing around at home.
Anytime he does good he makes me smile.
He's really picking up the idea of jumping.
