Africa: Our Journey #11 Freestyle Sideways Game

Africa and I are working on Sideways game for Freestyle.  He does a great job on-line, but I think I'm not using the right cues.  Africa gets agitated and acts like he doesn't understand.  We try a couple of times with direct and indirect reins, moving forequarters and hindquarters alternately.  At this time, when he gets one step each way I praise him and we stop.  Maybe I need to try and increase the number of times he is successful before we stop.  It is a fine line between frustrating him and getting practice.  He is amazingly forgiving, so maybe I will try a bit more practice steps sideways.

We had a very successful ride today.  Africa stood at the mounting block again without moving and waited for me to get on.  He moved along the rail with his head relaxed and at ease.  We practiced backing up, stopping, and direct/indirect reins. I feel like another step has been taken to build our partnership.