Obstacle Clinic at Stable Relationships

Back in late June I took Seamus to an obstacle clinic.  It was only for the day but was a great trip for us to take as it was not far away and I could start doing what I really want to do with him.  Obstacles and trail.  This June day was one of the first really hot days as summer descended upon us with a vengeance.

We started in hand for the first half of the clinic.  The obstacles included:

Crinkle area to step through

Noodle Tunnel

Noodle curtain/cowboy curtain

Pedestal

"Bridge" that also became a slight teeter totter

Tire step throughs- picture football players

Fallen logs chute to step through

Snaking tubes to step trough that then made scary movement if stepped on

Flags

Cones

Poles all radiating from a central lifted place

Seamus was pretty chill about most things.  The flag was slightly concerning when the breeze picked up and it made more flappy sounds. Sound seems to be a trigger for him.  The movement of things doesn't seem to bother him but scary sounds I will even notice in the field at liberty that someone will have a big reaction as an Amazon truck lumbers down the dirt road behind out house.

The pedestal was fun.  He didn't need too much encouragement to step up it.  I kinda wonder how that one would be under saddle though.  I'd be gripping the horn of the saddle for dear life!

The cowboy curtain was done in phases with more and more of the noodles and dangles being released with each pass.  He got used to it really fast and didn't mind the noodles poking him on the side.  

Same for the noodle tunnel, they would move against him and then sort of bump his flank as he walked through.  He was pretty good about it the whole time.  

The afternoon it was time to saddle up if we wanted but I decided not to.  I forgot my riding helmet of all things!  Ooops.  So we did some more of the obstacles and then headed home. The ladies I met at the clinic were very nice and so was the farm Stable Relationships.  They plan to have more clinics and I can't wait since it was a nice place to go and I liked the trainer too.  

I was very proud of Seamus and I also find it funny that another person was ready to load him in their trailer! He's a good boy!