The Horse I Know

Today was a reminder of the horse I know. He did really well in the arena and I had actually put tack on him. I was about to get on him when a new horse pulled up and was making a lot of noise. He lost it and freaked out. I put him back on the lunge and walked and did a lot of halt transitions but he was just not focused. I eventually got him to do one good one and then decided to end on a positive note. It was annoying and a little scary when he freaked out. I think he needed to run but I couldn't let him because of his leg. I was stuck for a minute and then thought go back to what he knows. He knows halt walk transitions and we have used it to gain his focus. We did lots of them with the wall until he could do it without it. It calmed him down enough so that I could actually lead him and he wouldn't trample me. I think his little brain is overwhelmed with the new barn, leg wraps, meds, tar on his shoulder, not having as much room to run around, and missing his old friends. He needs more time for a transition and I was rushing it. Will stick to tack and lunging until he feels 100% ready.