I got him!!!

So the last three days have been very rewarding and really fun. Spade is still a spazz but now he is a spazz that has decided to trust me. I think the last blog or two I told you that I had taken him out to the arena. He wasn't sure about the whole deal. But he was waiting on me the next day. So yesterday I kinda wanted to be a bum so after catching Spade to play with him I decided to take him to the arena again. For those of you that don't know it is at least a 150 yard walk from round pen to arena. Through one of our biggest pastures. This includes walking though all the other horses, all the dogs following, and stepping over obstacles like the water hose and though all the training gear. This time I wanted to let him go so he could play. After walking him around the pen I unsnapped his rope and locked him in the arena. After that I walked down to the barn to do some work. About 10 minutes later I decided to feed. As I crossed over to the training horses from the barn I yelled down and asked Spade if he was hungry. His head shot up and he whinnied as loud as he could and started running up and down the fence. I laughed. I haven't seen him so animated! So I poured his feed and then went down to catch him. I assumed it was going to be hard but he faced me and walked up with a little hesitation. I scratched his forehead and snapped him up and off we went. He walked all the way back with a little pep to his step and went to his stall and ate. I was really excited.
So today I went out and he snorted as usual to put on the halter but after that he relaxed. I waved the flag all around to check him on that and I did a few more drills. I also brushed him. This has become a daily routine. I decided today would be a great day to introduce timbers in a cavalette style . But first I wanted to try out some new training aids. Pool noodles!!! It was funny yesterday Dan and I were driving past Dollar General and I saw them out side. I started screaming at Dan to stop!!! He had no idea what was going on and was confused why I wanted pool noodles for Spade. Then today Talicia (my friend that is with me and Spade everyday) went to go get my "special training aids" out of the car. She was like "What?". Lol! She asked me what I was going to do with them and I replied "whack him". And that is what I did. It took him about 30 seconds to relax and sniff the noodles then I started bouncing them off of him until I was literally whacking him with a loud hollow thump! He stood there kinda puzzled but he didn't move. Then I threw them all on the ground and asked him to cross them. When he did he stepped on one and it popped up and hit him on he leg. Spade spooked and kicked at it but that was he only freak out moment we had all day. After he noodles I sent him though the ground poles. He acted like he had done it 100 times. I was so excited that I took him out to the arena for the rest of he afternoon. He explores it from front to back. When I went out there to retrieve him he ran on round around the pen. Talicia, Dan and I were Floored at the stride that Spade has. He can long trot faster then most horses run. As he came back around I looked at his hip and he faced me. Then with a little encouragement he dropped his nose to the ground and walked the 70 foot distance to me. I snapped his halter and to the barn we went. Dan and Talicia was shocked at how well he was doing.
So my goal is to have a few more super confidant days before I add the saddle to the mix. I want him to think that I am the greatest thing ever but for I try doing any more. It is starting to get fun. So stay tuned it will be an interesting week.