Cruz and the TRT Method

Cruz has been on the farm almost a month.  He’s been doing lots of farm walks, free lunging working on voice commands/body language, and about 6 short sessions of the TRT Method.  Lots of 5-10 minute low key training lessons getting to know each other.  And I have to tell you, he is not like any other horse I have trained.  He is just SO mellow.  The first time I introduced the TRT tools he tried to eat them.  Seriously.  His impulse when something scares him is to go towards it and investigate.  Totally different than the other 3 horses I have done TRT with where the going towards spooky was one of the end goals of the training.

He is just so easy with everything.  If it scares him he goes towards it and wants to touch it.  The top photo is his second time with a saddle on.  First time we just went step by step and piece by piece and in 10 minutes got to trotting in hand with saddle and girth tightened.  Second time we added stirrups and standing on the mounting block adding weight on the saddle.  NBD.  Separately,  he has had the bit in his mouth 2 times and the second time the headstall over his ears.  Some mouthing and chewing but head down and again, NBD.  I’m hoping to continue on with all the ground stuff in September and get him walking and maybe trotting under saddle before winter sets in.  He’ll then get some time off to grow, except for some ground training.  So fun!