We had a nice brush-down (could have filled a garbage bag with all the hair!!) before we got started - then saddled up and made our way to the round yard for our normal exercises and warm up lunge. At this point, he thought it would be highly amusing to continue to switch directions at his discretion; he soon learnt that this was not on. Note to self: bring lunge whip next time!
We then make our way to the arena, and start doing some circles at the walk, as it's about time we started working in our bend with more intent.... We begin with a few small circles, and then begin to make our way down the long side of the arena....
....Next thing I know - Heart-attack, brought to you today by the letter "E" ... It's almost always windy out there, and the letter "E" made a loud rattle as the wind ripped passed it, just as we were walking past. He was indeed convinced the gremlins from yesterday had come back to finish the job hehe. But after a few 10m circles in the general vicinity of the killer E, we were fine and dandy! I was riding with the property owner at the time - she was on her big gorgeous Trakehnner, and he apparently thought it was the boogey-man as well. Red can take comfort in the fact he wasn't the only skeerdy-pony that day ;o) ...
But, back to work! And it didn't take him long to realize I was asking him to bend around my leg and flex through the circle. He does have a habit of getting distracted easily though - a horse running in a nearby paddock, a car, a bird - all these things are apparently fascinating and worthy of diverting our attention. A few half-halts though, and we quickly regain focus.
Our walk was looking nice. Time for trot!
I must say, his trot is starting to feel good. Very good. He's becoming more obviously balanced, his trot is improving in leaps and bounds, and feeling great. Our trot to the right is coming along verrrrrry nicely - he's stretching down long and low into the bridle, and will round up periodically on his own. I'm still not asking him to collect yet, so it's very pleasing that's he reaching all on his own!! To the left, we're both still stiff, but there is a definite improvement, and he's understanding this whole 'flexion' thing more and more with each ride.
Gotta love this horse, he's so easy to train. Once the light bulb goes on, he's got it and we can work more on refinement of the move.... now, or later, or whenever... hehe... He's a clever little land whale ;o)
No ridden piccies, as my partner was pulling a "world revolves around me" moment... so I had to hurry up and unsaddle. But... here's a piccy of him after our workout. I took 5 shots, and every time I took the picture he flicked an ear back. hehehe. Ah well, he's a gorgeous boy either way!!
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