Shirley says that she'd never had horses as friendly as the Haflingers. She whistles and Niles comes running. He stands at the tack room door while she tacks him up without being tied. Her DH did say it made it difficult to replenish the feed room, because yelling and waving at him was just encouragement to keep coming and asking for more attention.

 

Any sort of attention is welcome. Scratching is always appreciated.

He's maturing into a lovely animal.

A little warm up in the round pen.  I don't have one at home, but Shirley feels comfortable using it for training.

Good practice for being careful with his feet.

I'm guessing a dragging tarp doesn't bother him because he figures it could be related to food.

As interested in the cameraman as in the tarp being placed on his back.

Not at all concerned when it falls off as he trots around. So far his reactions have been like Adiron's were last year. No fighting or reaction to any of the new stuff thrown at him.

Taking the obstacle at a canter and having fun with a jump.

No concern about the tarp on the ground under his feet.

First up and riding with a lead. This is his second time to be led around with a rider.

Then off the lead, but still following Shirley.

A nice halt and some praise. Right now go is definitely more of a problem than whoa.

Cute pony. Very comfortable in Shirley's Western saddle.

I tried to keep the reins loose, but he started out pulling against the bit.

He continued to carry his head low, but got used to my requests.

After we'd stop, I'd try using some bend to get him to move on again.

Here I'd been kicking and kicking and trying to turn him to go. Shirley has taught him to bend his head to the saddle with a tug of the reins. So, he knows he can balance and do that and doesn't need to take a step to compensate.

She came over with the whip and he obediently moved away.

When they've gotten used to doing stuff without a rider, the switch over to having a rider and doing the same thing isn't that big of a deal.

Round pens are tough for me with younsters, because I have to guide more than I'd like to to keep my legs from getting banged against the sides. Of course I'm not excited about starting to ride the TB cross out in the open field. That works better for me with the Haflingers who aren't so eager to go forward.

Just a couple circles of trot this time. I had Shirley's help to encourage him to go forward.

Shirley on board. She was testing out the backing that she'd taught him on the ground. It worked well to get him focused and listening to her.

Stepping over the board, again.

We discussed turn on the forehand and haunches. Here he shows how nicely he can cross over in back. Shirley wants to work on this on the ground and eventually in the saddle.