In Which Q Starts Learning to Play a "Real" ASB on TV. :-P

So I've been debating with myself, ever since Q got here, whether or not to teach him to park out.

It is, of course, absolute anathema in any division in which I might remotely consider campaigning him. Dressage? No parky. Carriage Driving? No parky. Hunters, ASB or Otherwise? No parky.

Thus, a certain linear logic would dictate NOT.

But on the other hand...

There are, as Morgan carriage driving trainer Jeff Morse has opined on his excellent website, certain inherent advantages to the parked out position. Especially with a greenie. Chief among them being that, as Jeff points out, the parked out horse is less likely to break its stance and move. Off the top of my head, I can't think of a situation in training a green horse where this would NOT be a plus.

So I've arrived at what I believe is an acceptable middle ground: do as Jeff recommends, and teach Quattro to park out ONLY when specifically asked.

We got started on that tonight. It was a riot. He was starting to get it by the end, but he also pulled a total HRH Avery and hurled some 'tude at me for the usual reason: "Who CARES where my freakin' FEET go? I'm STANDING aren't I? What's the BIG DEAL about where I put my FEET?" So I got a couple of timid little cow kicks and a couple of tentative little strikes and a disgusted snort or two, all of which were dealt with either by the delivery of a smack or a cookie as the situation might dictate. And by the end he really WAS sort of getting it.

So I guess you'd say he's learning to portray a real Saddlebred on TV!

It'll be interesting to see how this particular part of the adventure turns out. Pictures tomorrow maybe.