I decided the best thing to do was a ton more of groundwork to prepare BigTime(and me too!) for cantering.
After careful consideration I made the decision to head to my trainer friend Dan Keen's place for a safer setting for cantering.
Dan's arena has iron rails and very soft sand for softer landings!
Being the ex-bronc rider that he is Dan decided he would like a shot at helping us through our cantering dilemma.
After much drama about accepting a new rider and a couple of buck offs later we both came to the conclusion that BigTime had the habit of ditching to the right and losing his rider.
It was interesting to watch as he bounced back and forth between being fearful and flat out belligerent about the idea of cantering with someone on his back.
I have no problem in admitting that Dan can sit a bronc better than I can and that ability became a blessing as he rode him through some bucks that probably would have lost me!
It was very important to show BigTime that bucking was not the answer and continuing to dump his rider would taught him the opposite.
In the end after a couple of rodeo sessions we were back on track and I could begin to tell that BigTime had made the change to enjoying the freedom of cantering!
That is the wonderful thing about the Extreme Mustang Makeovers, the access that it gives us trainers to each other and the wonderful sense of family that comes along with it!
I believe it should never be considered a weakness to seek anothers advice or ask for a hand in figuring out a problem. It's what life is about joining hands to help one another.
In the end I had a wonderful time at Dan Keen's place and will treasure the time spent there with him and his family. He's a great guy and quite a hoot to be around!
