I groomed, trimmed, worked and rode Newt in the round pen. They were kicking up their heels this fine cool fall morning. Newt is very good at the ground work, stands untied for grooming, generously gives his head when I pull the rein and moves his hind end over if I just look at his back feet. But when I am on his back I feel it really tests his resolve to be nice and kind to humans. (Oops, I just talked myself into a new saddle!) Lots of turns to keep his attention off me on his back. He never shakes his head except when I am on his back. Once, when contemplating human communication gestures, I thought it was probably arbitrary that yes was a nod and no was a shake of the head. As I learn more about horses, I know horses taught us that a shake of the head meant there is some serious disagreement. Newt did shake his head some this morning but we had a successful ride. I plan to keep at it with little short rides in the round pen until I see a whole lot less shaking goin’ on.
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