Trail time with Rain and Cowboy

Had a great 8-mile ride on Rain and ponying Cowboy. Haven't taken Cowboy out in a few weeks and with Z injured, I'm finding time for my other horses. It was a fast ride and the weather was really nice - warm, sunny and breezy. Rain's gaiting is so fast, Cowboy has to canter to keep up. The mosquitos weren't out yet, we went way before dusk. Cowboy learned his position so fast. After the first mile, he stayed right in zone 3 where I wanted him. I had to remind him once in a while, but generally he was doing his job.

It was funny when we left. I asked for a canter from the barn to my front gate (about 1/4 mile) and Cowboy was kicking out and feeling good! By the end of the 8 miles, he was ready to stand around quietly. He was really great and I'm glad he's here. He gets along wonderfully at my place.

I hosed Rain and Cowboy down (they were pretty sweaty!) and let them stand and chill while I played with Gem. I put him on the 45' and practiced sideways, change of direction and transitions on line. He's doing great! The change of direction has very much progressed. He's circling with the rope dragging on the ground, a great improvement. He doesn't have a lot of energy and doesn't stay in the canter. We'll have to work on his impulsion next.

I then too Gem into the roundpen and we played stick to me. He's pretty good with that if I go slow. If I ask him to trot with me he looks at me as if to say, "Seriously Tia, we're in a small pen, there's no reason to move fast." This is why the first levels horse should be an Arab. :-) He and I will have some more conversations about answering my questions appropriately.

It was a great day with my horses. I also got tons of chores done (lawn mowing, general clean-up, manure dragged, screen replaced, etc...). Excellent day!

Slow and Right beats Fast and Wrong

I had some time and I planned to ride Z, but she has somehow gotten a nasty wound on her right hind with a good amount of swelling. Doh!! So, grabbed Gemini for some groundwork and riding. His circle game is coming along so nicely! He's maintaining gait and direction very nicely. He's generally just very compliant and willing. I want to start increasing the game so I don't bore him. I expected him to buck in the tight rear cinch, but there was just an ounce of that reaction at the canter going to the right. I was expecting a big show, but he didn't deliver. Is that because our last session was right? I hope so.

I didn't warm him up for long before I felt ready to ride. I decided to just use the rope hack. Once mounted, I spent several minutes working on his lateral flexion and looking for a positive response. Once we had that, I asked him to back up with my seat. He had it! He remembers what I taught him a while back. This was my first time riding him in probably 6 months. I've been focused on groundwork with him and making sure we've got all the right ingredients for successful riding.

We took it slow and followed the rail with some corners game mixed in. We then tried some figure 8 at the walk. He definitely can be bracy and we'll keep fixing that up.

It was a short session, but he was doing so well and I wanted the ride to be a positive easy experience. I let him hang out in the arena to eat the goodies (weeds and grass). Then, eventually, went back in to get him. His response to me is very positive and I'm pleased.

A nice, slow and right session with Gem!

Quick round pen session with Z

We're developing a backwards circle and I had 20 mins to spare so took Miss Z into the round pen. She can go about 1/3 of the pen circle now. She sometimes wants to turn around and I'm trying to figure out the best way to discourage that behavior and keep her moving zone 5 first. I realized at one point that I was asking her to do too much of the circle (about 1/2 the circle) and I took it down a notch to about 1/3. She was successful there. We'll keep building! I realize that having a horse this developed means we can do cool things in a short period of time. Want to keep developing her and doing more things that help her be braver, smarter and more athletic!