Yes'm's is a good boy!

I am beaming proud of Max today. After the trouble we've been having, him and his punk ways, me and my crocked back, felt confident enough in both today to try a lone hack and see how we went. We have a new bridle too, with noseband, and Pee Wee bit set to "punk pony" setting for a bit of gentle re-training.

I lunged him in the indoor school for about 20 minutes first just to help take the edge off a little, and then I opened the big school door, mounted up, rode him at trot round the school on each rein and they Wehey! Out we went at speed, not giving Max much time to think about it.

Onto the lane and just as he was thinking of having a nap, I was on him,"No sir, forward!"

Max was so surprised he didn't have time to disobey.

Up the lane and at the polythene & tyre dragon (covering silage) he had another go at napping; I was firm with direction then quick flick with the whip and again, he went straight on.

We don't worry about the whip, by the way. If you were watching and weren't close up and personal, you might think that Max was getting a wee smack, but you'd be wrong. It's my boot that gets the smack, not Max. The noise and motion is enough.

We reached the farm, where we can either go forward, left or right. We did all of those. Right first, up the track and back. Then further up the lane and back. Then left up the bridleway and back.

My purpose was to keep taking him away from home, so that even when he thought he was heading back to the yard and was in a perfect position to protest, I asked him to turn away and go in another direction. Slight hesitation the first time, but after that, nope, he just did as he was bade.

We went up the bridleway past the pigs, and after he got past them, I finally felt him relax and we continued on, went round a field at a livelier pace, then back down the track and headed for home.

Having been out for a good amount of time, I was quite prepared to just let Max turn for home but at the last minute decided I would give him one last detour, and he acquiesced graciously.

As soon as I got that small "Ok, then" I gave him big praise and turned him for home.

Felt like I was really riding today. After weeks of being stiff and sore in my back, or in too much pain to ride at all, today I actually felt a bit fluid for a change, and I bet that made as much of a difference to Max's attitude as did the new bridle, new bit setting, and new determination from me.

He was a superstar and I told him so.

Doesn't matter that we've slid back a few steps and have to cover some old ground. We're in no hurry and I'm delighted we're making progress again. My best reward was feeling the return of Maxo Relaxo. Must be doing something right for Max to feel confident enough to chill out on a lone hack.

Yay Team Max!