AnTiCi....

..... Pation!

Ransom's lesson last week taught me that he thinks he's "done" after about an hour's work. That includes warmups, any lunging at all, and the ride. He mentally "shut down", and stopped working. I had dismounted for a few minutes and let a friend goof off on him at the walk for a few minutes. I got back on to get a few more lesson tips in, and spent another hour arguing with him.

So! The plan for this week and next, breaks breaks breaks! Last night, Ransom had a half hour lunge on side reins (after a long weekend's break while I went on "vacation" - see the blog). Then, I took a 5 minute breather.

Hopped on to ride, and did a few of the pieces of some upcoming dressage tests, then dismounted again for a few minutes.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Turns out, I can work him now for a bit over an hour, including 3-4 breaks.

Does anybody else have this difficulty? How do you handle it? I'm getting a little concerned as the upcoming show may have warm-ups nowhere near ride times, and ride times might be very spread out. Sure don't want him thinking he's "done" as I enter at A and halt at X... *giggle*