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[RC] Spot updates - agilbxr

Thought I'd update on my spotted training project.  About 2 1/2 weeks ago, my friend brough out her horse, and we went on a little ride.  It was on a sunday morning.  Spot was going along very well, felt good, but behaving and going at the walk I asked for.  He had one MAJOR spook at a rattly deisel truck pulling a trailer that ended up with both of us in the brush, shaking and snorting.  Thankfully, he chose to keep me with him....  About 1/3 of the way into the ride, Spot decided to not go somewhere and tried to violently throw himself backwards with no regards to where he was going.  I asked him to do the "Ed's one rein stop" and he DID!  And it stopped the backing.  Then he calmly went forward, leading I might even add.  It seems at that moment, Spot had an epiphany... "hey!  This is my person on my back, and if I kill her, I won't get fed!"
 
Since then, he's been really good.  I'm taking things very slow.  As far as his barn sour/herd bound problem, we are working one step at a time. I can now work him in the round pen with the gate open without a fuss, come out of the round pen after working and walk away from the barn (me mounted) to eat grass.  Sunday, he even walked from the saddling area with me mounted out towards the roundpen away from the barn.  He thought about fussing once or twice, but we did the one rein stop, and he quit, then went forward again.  He got lots of praise for that.  I keep wondering if Spot just needed a person of his own...he's been a back up all his life.
 
I think, eventually, Spot will be a good horse.   I keep oogling him with endurance in mind. Nice short back, great legs and feet, eats like a pig, any time any where, and will drink out of anything. (he likes the nastiest puddles best...go figure).  I never thought Alpine would make a 100 mile horse, but Spot would.  Hmm.....  I don't think I'll tell him though.  He might go bonkers again.
 
Juli and Spot (I've been good, and mom lets me eat all the grass I want....)
and Alpine (you are NOT allowed to trade me in on a spotted model!)