Jack's First Day in Side Reins

After lounging Jack, we put on side reins, ever-so-lightly. He registered them, but didn't make too much of a fuss. They are attached to side rings of a cavesson, and low on the surcingle. He moves slow and steady. Right now, we really want him to be calm and comfortable around humans and the funny equipment we place on him - he seems obliging. Nothing too exciting here.

Tango, on the other hand, was not so accepting. First, he hates to lunge, so when Jessika had him out for an under saddle workout in the arena, we put the side reins on him and worked him on the lunge line. He evaded the bit by tucking his chin under, which he does all the time anyway. But he was so focused on the side reins and evading the bit that he barely realized he was working a circle on the lunge line. So that was a baby step in the right direction. Tango does love to jump. Here he is today, jumping a small cavaletti with Jessika...