40 mph winds this weekend were a touch on the wild side for riding, so I'll give myself an out on that. Even J and C didn't ride, and they're pretty diehard. Monday was clear, crisp and still - with a high of 23' - but when I went out to check the horses, it was so gorgeous the cold didn't register. I probably would have ridden if I'd taken a saddle along.
I was sure I'd ride Tuesday - it was supposed to be in the high 30's, and for winter in SD, that's darn pleasant. Except I made the mistake of looking at the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.... Solidly in the 50's! And by that I mean practically 60'.
So I wimped out on Tuesday, but I did ride yesterday. Since I have a lesson tonight and Sunny's had nearly a week off, I kept it slow and worked a lot on bending and flexing. Funny to think when I started this process a few months ago I was keeping things slow because neither of us had a lot of control and I didn't want him getting away from me. Now it's really only at the canter that we're still struggling consistently with collection. Collection at the walk is hugely better, and yesterday he was finding the sweet spot at the trot, too.
I asked him for a couple of left lead canter transitions to build some energy, and got them. They didn't come as promptly as they should, but better than they sometimes have, so...
Unfortunately, I'm still not comfortable feeling things, and I end up looking down more than I should to check my diagonals, etc. Which isn't the greatest thing for muscle memory.
Sunny still felt just short in the front right, and right bend seemed tougher for him. But he didn't seem put out or sore - he was rolling the bit around and slobbering, and his ears had that lovely floppy look to them that they get when he's relaxed and focused on what I'm asking for.
I focused on bend at the walk, with minimal trotting and no canter in that direction. After warm-up, it was probably 40 minutes of work, but since I was working on homework (bend, soften to collection, commit, release and stretch down ) and he seemed to be getting it there was plenty of "release and stretch down". Even at 57', it wasn't a sweaty workout by any means, and he barely had damp patches under the girth when I unsaddled.
Thunder napped by the trailer with no banging or fuss while I worked with Sunny, and then stood nicely to be saddled. I need to do some digging through my extra headstalls and find one that fits him better, as well as a different snaffle. At this point he's just packing it, but I don't like the way the browband on the one I've been using sits - it's way to high by his ears, and it's made so it doesn't adjust up there. And the bit squeaks. He doesn't seem to mind, but it was annoying me.
Anyway, I let him wear it while I lunged him - 5 minutes or so in each direction. Just long enough to see that he didn't have the sillies and make sure the saddle was sitting comfortably. He was quiet and attentive in both directions, so I moved on.
He needs to learn to give his face. Right now, when he hits pressure on the halter he gives immediately, but he's having a hard time with the concept of "bend". Instead of turning his head, he tends to back up. So I worked on that with the reins snapped to the sidepull rings on his rope halter, and the clicker. Which comes in very handy for reinforcing steps (or looking) in the right direction. At the point of progress - a few turns in a row to each side without the feet moving - I moved on to something else. He'll process, and next time will be better.
On to the next sticky point... forward. He's used to being led from the ground. Someone else's visible actions signal to him to walk on. And he does - but from on top, there's no visible cue. He has to walk off from a cluck and heel nudge. And right now a heel nudge means pretty much nothing except move away. So I worked on that - standing beside him. Cluck and bump gently with the stirrup, walk a few steps and "whoa". At first, the bump triggered move away sideways, since that's what he's always been asked to do. But after a couple of repetitions with the clicker, he was starting to get it.
On to mounting and dismounting. He's still thinking about it, but he stands relaxed and quiet. Once I'd gotten on and off a few times, I asked him to bend again from on top, keeping my legs very quiet and just vibrating the left or right rein. I could almost see the "click" in he head when he realized what I wanted and his nose started coming readily around to brush my boot toe.
Forward was tougher, and I'll reinforce there with more groundwork next time. But we did manage a few forward (and more sideways) steps than backwards ones this time. He's trying.
Unfortunately, the farm owner didn't realize who I was working with, and I was still on top when she let Aisha, her mini-dachshund, out. I heard the squeak of a hinge and Aisha's low-slung pudgy body exploded out of the house to the tune of her usual "hello world, you'd better get ready" barking. Thankfully, we were facing that direction, because when Aisha realized I was there she raced right over to dance around Thunder's feet. He's used to her, and wasn't too concerned, but with all her darting to and fro through the weeds and barking, I lost his complete attention. Time to stop for the day. A solid hour with him, though.
And believe it or not, I'm sore today. Not my seat bones, but my legs - must have been all that bending and flexing with Sunny. Apparently I used some unfamiliar muscles groups in a more controlled way, as well - LOL!
Showing posts with label bending. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bending. Show all posts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Lesson Day: Sunny and "I don't want you to panic, but..."
After a good practice session on Wednesday (nearly 50'!) during which Sunny cooperated, and I worked on mounting and dismounting with Thunder, I was pleased to see the weather forecast for Thursday showed a reduced chance for rain, with temps remaining unseasonably warm. Yowza! I'd get to take Sunny!
Morning sunshine had retreated into gloomy clouds by the time I loaded the horses, and a chilly wind was beginning to kick up - the promised 50s weren't going to materialize after all. But it wasn't too cold, I had the trailer hooked up, horses inside, and I was already dressed for hunt seat....
By the time I got to Eric's it was spitting rain. With the local schools all out for the holidays, the barn was busier than it's been since October, and he was running about half an hour behind on lessons. Since I routinely arrive early, I took my time brushing both boys and cleaning their feet, then left them to loaf by the trailer while I watched the lesson before mine.
C was on Pride, working on lead changes. She's going to be doing reining this summer as well, and she also barrel races, so tuning up her muscle memory for proper flying cues should be beneficial all the way around. It was really helpful to watch Eric coach her through getting Pride's hips properly engaged and shifted under him, first at the walk, then at the trot, and finally loping. Being able to see her work through what I need to work on, too, was a lovely perk for arriving early.
I missed the last few minutes of spins, wanting to have Sunny ready to go when Eric finished with C. The sky was still spitting a bit, but the breeze had died down, and I shed my heavy coat before I headed arena-wards. Sunny was fresh, and persisted in walking off with me as I mounted. I finally just swung on anyway. Stinker! We'll be working on that little habit more at home.
A few minutes of walk/trot transitions, most of them intentional - good grief, where did my lazy horse go! and we started. Right into a working trot, since he seemed to have energy to spare. Eric watched him go round a few times, calling reminders to me for seat and elbows, then, "I don't want to you to panic, but... you do know he's off in front, right?" Crud.
Well... I suspected he was going a little short. He's felt slightly rougher than normal the last few times I've ridden. Not to the extent of head bobbing or definite lameness, but the ground I've been practicing on is pasture - not exactly smooth, flat, or worked, so I wasn't positive. But this is the second time he's been off in front during a lesson.
Sunny's conformation is not exactly perfect. He's crooked in front, particularly on the right, which is the side he's favoring. He could have some residual stiffness or soreness from slipping or playing, or he might have a stone bruise, although given the nice, soft arena footing, that would be less likely to show. Or it could be something else entirely - Eric seems to be leaning toward the cause being more conformation and musculature-related.
In any case, I have two options - vet him and turn him out and baby him, which will either fix things, or not, or continue to ride him and work on strengthening the muscles on his right side so that he's able to carry himself better. Since he's not noticeably lame, ever, in the pasture, or even walking under saddle, and nothing seems warm, sore, swollen or otherwise off anywhere, I'm going to go with door number two for now and just keep an eye on things.
So, with the intent of improving those right-side and back muscles in mind, we finished out the rest of the lesson with an emphasis on encouraging him to carry himself better - in essence, teaching him engage his back, stretch out in front and step under in the rear. Which in practice meant asking for an inside bend first at the walk, then trotting - once he would lighten and soften into it and stay committed for a few strides, then giving him an opportunity to stretch. If he popped right back up and hollowed out, he wasn't actually collected and using his back properly. At which point I was to go right back to asking him to bend and step under. If he stretched down instead of popping up, then he got to relax and go forward for a half-circuit or so.
We also worked some on canter transitions, but only to the left.
On that front at least, my practice paid off - not only did Sunny stay cantering without breaking to a trot much more consistently, but he's also lifting his shoulders more. Transitions up are still not exactly pretty, but they're coming more readily - and part of the problem is me as much as it is him. I have a horrible time remembering not to lean forward and collapse my shoulders when I ask. Downward transitions are getting much, much better, at least when I remember to use my whole body rather than forgetting I have legs.
I suspect he would have been much less soggy post-lesson than after our indoor sessions, but unfortunately it started to pour midway through. We were both soaked topside by the time quits was called, but his back under the saddle and his belly were dry, so I don't think he was too terribly warm. I rubbed him down as best I could despite the rain, then blanketed him for the ride home so that he wouldn't get chilled cooling down.
Homework: lots of inside bend, soften, commit, release, to help him build his back muscles, collect, stretch and lighten. And more of whatever I've been doing that's improved his canter. Fingers crossed the warm spell lasts, and the exercises help!
Morning sunshine had retreated into gloomy clouds by the time I loaded the horses, and a chilly wind was beginning to kick up - the promised 50s weren't going to materialize after all. But it wasn't too cold, I had the trailer hooked up, horses inside, and I was already dressed for hunt seat....
By the time I got to Eric's it was spitting rain. With the local schools all out for the holidays, the barn was busier than it's been since October, and he was running about half an hour behind on lessons. Since I routinely arrive early, I took my time brushing both boys and cleaning their feet, then left them to loaf by the trailer while I watched the lesson before mine.
C was on Pride, working on lead changes. She's going to be doing reining this summer as well, and she also barrel races, so tuning up her muscle memory for proper flying cues should be beneficial all the way around. It was really helpful to watch Eric coach her through getting Pride's hips properly engaged and shifted under him, first at the walk, then at the trot, and finally loping. Being able to see her work through what I need to work on, too, was a lovely perk for arriving early.
I missed the last few minutes of spins, wanting to have Sunny ready to go when Eric finished with C. The sky was still spitting a bit, but the breeze had died down, and I shed my heavy coat before I headed arena-wards. Sunny was fresh, and persisted in walking off with me as I mounted. I finally just swung on anyway. Stinker! We'll be working on that little habit more at home.
A few minutes of walk/trot transitions, most of them intentional - good grief, where did my lazy horse go! and we started. Right into a working trot, since he seemed to have energy to spare. Eric watched him go round a few times, calling reminders to me for seat and elbows, then, "I don't want to you to panic, but... you do know he's off in front, right?" Crud.
Well... I suspected he was going a little short. He's felt slightly rougher than normal the last few times I've ridden. Not to the extent of head bobbing or definite lameness, but the ground I've been practicing on is pasture - not exactly smooth, flat, or worked, so I wasn't positive. But this is the second time he's been off in front during a lesson.
Sunny's conformation is not exactly perfect. He's crooked in front, particularly on the right, which is the side he's favoring. He could have some residual stiffness or soreness from slipping or playing, or he might have a stone bruise, although given the nice, soft arena footing, that would be less likely to show. Or it could be something else entirely - Eric seems to be leaning toward the cause being more conformation and musculature-related.
In any case, I have two options - vet him and turn him out and baby him, which will either fix things, or not, or continue to ride him and work on strengthening the muscles on his right side so that he's able to carry himself better. Since he's not noticeably lame, ever, in the pasture, or even walking under saddle, and nothing seems warm, sore, swollen or otherwise off anywhere, I'm going to go with door number two for now and just keep an eye on things.
So, with the intent of improving those right-side and back muscles in mind, we finished out the rest of the lesson with an emphasis on encouraging him to carry himself better - in essence, teaching him engage his back, stretch out in front and step under in the rear. Which in practice meant asking for an inside bend first at the walk, then trotting - once he would lighten and soften into it and stay committed for a few strides, then giving him an opportunity to stretch. If he popped right back up and hollowed out, he wasn't actually collected and using his back properly. At which point I was to go right back to asking him to bend and step under. If he stretched down instead of popping up, then he got to relax and go forward for a half-circuit or so.
We also worked some on canter transitions, but only to the left.
On that front at least, my practice paid off - not only did Sunny stay cantering without breaking to a trot much more consistently, but he's also lifting his shoulders more. Transitions up are still not exactly pretty, but they're coming more readily - and part of the problem is me as much as it is him. I have a horrible time remembering not to lean forward and collapse my shoulders when I ask. Downward transitions are getting much, much better, at least when I remember to use my whole body rather than forgetting I have legs.
I suspect he would have been much less soggy post-lesson than after our indoor sessions, but unfortunately it started to pour midway through. We were both soaked topside by the time quits was called, but his back under the saddle and his belly were dry, so I don't think he was too terribly warm. I rubbed him down as best I could despite the rain, then blanketed him for the ride home so that he wouldn't get chilled cooling down.
Homework: lots of inside bend, soften, commit, release, to help him build his back muscles, collect, stretch and lighten. And more of whatever I've been doing that's improved his canter. Fingers crossed the warm spell lasts, and the exercises help!
Monday, August 1, 2011
In which a saddle is (finally) worn
What a weekend! I haven't had so much fun, or been quite so pleased with the boys in quite a while. ALL three of the boys :)
Saturday
I rode 8 miles on Rufus with J and C. The horses - well, mostly Rufus - were feeling energetic. It was hot, but not quite as sticky as it's been thanks mainly to a nice stiff breeze. Rufus was spotting potential "Arab-eating" monsters on all sides - not to a naughty extent, but he certainly did try to head off in all directions at once a time or two. Brainless moments aside (horse-eating cows??? Really? Rufus, you live with cows - sigh...), it was a lovely ride.
Oddly enough, the whole way these little bronzey-gold - as opposed to the hand-wide black and white monsters circling the ditches - dragonflies kept trying to land on the tips of his ears. Being buzzed by glittery bugs didn't bother him. Just the cows, the odd attack bush, a couple of obviously hostile frogs... Guess he was feeling good!
He loped out ahead of the group willingly, was able to stay back without too much anxiety when someone rode ahead - he's still wanting to slam on the brakes if someone else slows down when traveling at any speed, but I was prepared and for the most part managed to keep his forward momentum up. He's getting a LOT better but I have to say, I'm looking forward to the day when he's a bit less effort! We finished hot, but relaxed, with plans to go again Sunday, but earlier so as to avoid still being out at noon.
By Saturday afternoon it had heated up into the high 90's, but still with the breeze, and I'd promised myself Sunny and Thunder weren't going to get left out of the fun. So... in the late afternoon I headed out to the farm and caught them up. Saddled Sunny English and spent about 40 minutes working on bends, counter-bends, backing patterns through cones, and a tiny bit of diagonal practice for yours truly. Not so sure anything was a spectacular success, although we were starting to sort one another out again - too much trail riding, I guess. I've gotten sloppy and inconsistent, and I could tell. He wasn't resisting so much as confused.
I did learn that I can successfully lean down and re-set cones without getting off while using the English saddle - he's so mutton-withered, leaning that far over with my western saddle is an invitation to sliding sideways. And how cool to know I can rely on him to stand there while I'm stretching down without stepping right out from underneath me, too!
You know what? Complete non-issue. I didn't give him a lot of time to stand and think about it, just headed over to the cones to give him a focus other than his new corsetry. Apparently, I needn't have worried. He really couldn't have cared less. So I ran through groundwork stuff with him for 15-20 minutes and decided I'd had enough par-boiling. I was literally soaked to the skin. Bleh. Unsaddled, brushed both of them as dry as possible given the heat, and turned them back out.
By the time I got everything packed up, they were down eating. That haze? High humidity - I heard on the radio on my way back into town that the heat index was running over 100'. At 6:50 in the evening.
I'd hoped to squeeze in a shower, but C was running in a Blazing Barrels/SDBHA at the rodeo grounds, and it started at 7 pm. It was still so icky hot, I figured I might as well go I was. Stopped at home long enough to drop the trailer off and drink a bunch of water. Of course as it turned out they were running behind, so I would have had lots of time for a shower. But then again, I'd have needed another one by the time I got home anyway, so it was probably just as well.
About 80+ riders, and a bunch of people were running exhibition... then the peewees... And C and her friend had drawn numbers in the 70's. Which meant a long wait - good thing I never mind watching barrels! Thankfully they reversed the order for the second go, and of course by then a lot of trailers had pulled out anyway.
C finished in the money, just, and she would have done better if she'd rolled her time from the first go. But she took it in good humor, declaring she was glad of the practice the additional run offered. There were 2 runs in the 15s, but not very many in the low 16s. I obviously need to go be supportive more often - I'm not very quick at catching the subtleties. Missed leads, bad entries, and late turns, yes; but the nuances of form, not so much. Still it was a lot of fun to watch, and once it finally cooled down I got to enjoy some supper (brat w/ plenty of mustard, and lovely golden fries w/ ketchup, YUM!) that I didn't have to cook!
Saturday
I rode 8 miles on Rufus with J and C. The horses - well, mostly Rufus - were feeling energetic. It was hot, but not quite as sticky as it's been thanks mainly to a nice stiff breeze. Rufus was spotting potential "Arab-eating" monsters on all sides - not to a naughty extent, but he certainly did try to head off in all directions at once a time or two. Brainless moments aside (horse-eating cows??? Really? Rufus, you live with cows - sigh...), it was a lovely ride.
Oddly enough, the whole way these little bronzey-gold - as opposed to the hand-wide black and white monsters circling the ditches - dragonflies kept trying to land on the tips of his ears. Being buzzed by glittery bugs didn't bother him. Just the cows, the odd attack bush, a couple of obviously hostile frogs... Guess he was feeling good!
He loped out ahead of the group willingly, was able to stay back without too much anxiety when someone rode ahead - he's still wanting to slam on the brakes if someone else slows down when traveling at any speed, but I was prepared and for the most part managed to keep his forward momentum up. He's getting a LOT better but I have to say, I'm looking forward to the day when he's a bit less effort! We finished hot, but relaxed, with plans to go again Sunday, but earlier so as to avoid still being out at noon.
By Saturday afternoon it had heated up into the high 90's, but still with the breeze, and I'd promised myself Sunny and Thunder weren't going to get left out of the fun. So... in the late afternoon I headed out to the farm and caught them up. Saddled Sunny English and spent about 40 minutes working on bends, counter-bends, backing patterns through cones, and a tiny bit of diagonal practice for yours truly. Not so sure anything was a spectacular success, although we were starting to sort one another out again - too much trail riding, I guess. I've gotten sloppy and inconsistent, and I could tell. He wasn't resisting so much as confused.
I did learn that I can successfully lean down and re-set cones without getting off while using the English saddle - he's so mutton-withered, leaning that far over with my western saddle is an invitation to sliding sideways. And how cool to know I can rely on him to stand there while I'm stretching down without stepping right out from underneath me, too!
For Thunder's turn, I finally bit the bullet
and snugged the cinch.
and snugged the cinch.
You know what? Complete non-issue. I didn't give him a lot of time to stand and think about it, just headed over to the cones to give him a focus other than his new corsetry. Apparently, I needn't have worried. He really couldn't have cared less. So I ran through groundwork stuff with him for 15-20 minutes and decided I'd had enough par-boiling. I was literally soaked to the skin. Bleh. Unsaddled, brushed both of them as dry as possible given the heat, and turned them back out.
By the time I got everything packed up, they were down eating. That haze? High humidity - I heard on the radio on my way back into town that the heat index was running over 100'. At 6:50 in the evening.I'd hoped to squeeze in a shower, but C was running in a Blazing Barrels/SDBHA at the rodeo grounds, and it started at 7 pm. It was still so icky hot, I figured I might as well go I was. Stopped at home long enough to drop the trailer off and drink a bunch of water. Of course as it turned out they were running behind, so I would have had lots of time for a shower. But then again, I'd have needed another one by the time I got home anyway, so it was probably just as well.
About 80+ riders, and a bunch of people were running exhibition... then the peewees... And C and her friend had drawn numbers in the 70's. Which meant a long wait - good thing I never mind watching barrels! Thankfully they reversed the order for the second go, and of course by then a lot of trailers had pulled out anyway.
C finished in the money, just, and she would have done better if she'd rolled her time from the first go. But she took it in good humor, declaring she was glad of the practice the additional run offered. There were 2 runs in the 15s, but not very many in the low 16s. I obviously need to go be supportive more often - I'm not very quick at catching the subtleties. Missed leads, bad entries, and late turns, yes; but the nuances of form, not so much. Still it was a lot of fun to watch, and once it finally cooled down I got to enjoy some supper (brat w/ plenty of mustard, and lovely golden fries w/ ketchup, YUM!) that I didn't have to cook!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Lesson 3 : Sunny, and a short trail ride
I debated long and hard, but finally decided to take this week's lesson on Sunny instead of one of E's horses. Since Sunny's outside all winter and it's too cold to clip, I want to get at least a few lessons in before it gets too cold to have him sweaty and hot. (Not that he sweated much yesterday!)
I popped him in the trailer and headed over to Mt. Vernon. Arrived to a yard full of cars and trailers - a busier weekend, which was nice, as I got to watch part of the lesson before mine and all of the one after. Saddleseat, but still highly educational.
Sunny was a bit fidgety, but more alert than anxious since he's been there before. E has a pair of young German Shorthairs, and as I saddled one of them presented the two of us with a fresh deer leg.. yum!, NOT. Yet again I'm thankful Sunny lives with sheep (sorry if it's callous, but sheep seem to die a fair amount)l.
We hadn't gotten much chance to practice, but I'd worked on bending and asking him to step under himself more, and E said he could already see some improvement. The lesson proceeded much as the previous two, with more work on bending and counter-bending. Counter-bending is HARD. But we're improving, if only a tiny bit. Still, progress is progress.
And more turning on the haunches and then just moving the hips. Asking him to move just his back end is something I've actually worked on a fair amount, and Sunny remembered - it was nice to do something correctly! Moving just his shoulders wasn't quite as pretty, so we'll continue to work on that.
Then we worked on cantering. Which last time was terrible. While this time it was better, if only because he didn't fall on his nose, it still needs work.
BUT, I did manage one nice upward transition, and a couple better downward ones. Our biggest issue is falling out of gait after about three strides. Partly me, partly him. I automatically drop forward into two-point, and since he's already heavy in front.... When I remember to sit up and deep and breathe, we do much better. And he didn't try to run out, buck, or do anything seriously squirrelly - not that he's ever done that, but then, we've never had much focused arena time, either.
E offered to let me come practice with Sunny on Fridays if the arena's free, and I think I'm going to take him up on it. And he's going to check into a possible ride for me up north so I'll have a chance to practice what I'm learning during the week. Don't know if that will pan out, but it was still a nice feeling to hear he'd suggest that someone else let me ride their horse.
Post-ride I headed over for a trail ride with C, and we moseyed about 4 miles. As the day faded, the wind picked up and it cooled off quite a bit - the horses were looky, but more interested than leery. We did short collecting and softening sessions as we rode, trying to work some of the hollow out of his trot. I can definitely tell the difference when he steps under himself more - getting his nose tucked in and his backend up under himself even slightly is a vast improvement.
Sunday is worming and de-bot-fly-egging now that we've finally had a hard freeze. Maybe another ride, if the weather cooperates. :)
I popped him in the trailer and headed over to Mt. Vernon. Arrived to a yard full of cars and trailers - a busier weekend, which was nice, as I got to watch part of the lesson before mine and all of the one after. Saddleseat, but still highly educational.
Sunny was a bit fidgety, but more alert than anxious since he's been there before. E has a pair of young German Shorthairs, and as I saddled one of them presented the two of us with a fresh deer leg.. yum!, NOT. Yet again I'm thankful Sunny lives with sheep (sorry if it's callous, but sheep seem to die a fair amount)l.
We hadn't gotten much chance to practice, but I'd worked on bending and asking him to step under himself more, and E said he could already see some improvement. The lesson proceeded much as the previous two, with more work on bending and counter-bending. Counter-bending is HARD. But we're improving, if only a tiny bit. Still, progress is progress.
And more turning on the haunches and then just moving the hips. Asking him to move just his back end is something I've actually worked on a fair amount, and Sunny remembered - it was nice to do something correctly! Moving just his shoulders wasn't quite as pretty, so we'll continue to work on that.
Then we worked on cantering. Which last time was terrible. While this time it was better, if only because he didn't fall on his nose, it still needs work.
BUT, I did manage one nice upward transition, and a couple better downward ones. Our biggest issue is falling out of gait after about three strides. Partly me, partly him. I automatically drop forward into two-point, and since he's already heavy in front.... When I remember to sit up and deep and breathe, we do much better. And he didn't try to run out, buck, or do anything seriously squirrelly - not that he's ever done that, but then, we've never had much focused arena time, either.
E offered to let me come practice with Sunny on Fridays if the arena's free, and I think I'm going to take him up on it. And he's going to check into a possible ride for me up north so I'll have a chance to practice what I'm learning during the week. Don't know if that will pan out, but it was still a nice feeling to hear he'd suggest that someone else let me ride their horse.
Post-ride I headed over for a trail ride with C, and we moseyed about 4 miles. As the day faded, the wind picked up and it cooled off quite a bit - the horses were looky, but more interested than leery. We did short collecting and softening sessions as we rode, trying to work some of the hollow out of his trot. I can definitely tell the difference when he steps under himself more - getting his nose tucked in and his backend up under himself even slightly is a vast improvement.
Sunday is worming and de-bot-fly-egging now that we've finally had a hard freeze. Maybe another ride, if the weather cooperates. :)
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