After a fairly phlegmatic week, figuratively and literally, I am feeling optimistic. Is it the result of the grateful exercises I did this morning or the fact that the oppressive low pressure system moved away from here to be replaced by lovely high pressure and dryness? I can’t say for sure, most likely a combination.
Hope showed absolute boredom and disinterest when let loose in the round pen with her lead rope dangling, deftly releasing herself from any foot that inadvertantly landed on it, and then decided that was too much work and refused to step on it again. She went to the gate and fiddled with the latch. No problem, time for lunging in the saddle. Leanne helped me saddle her up, and she transitioned smoothly to trot and canter and back, walk is still a bit of an issue, and we end the lunging session when I can get enough strides of walk to be memorable (rather than one stride and halt). She did great on both sides…unconcerned with the saddle, but not as relaxed as I’m looking for…I’m shooting for boring. I’m looking for that look that says, “Are you kidding me? We have to do this again already?” before moving onto the next step. Leanne walked Hope around to cool her off and work on her communication with the horse skills, and I’m very pleased with Leanne’s confidence, and ability to internalize the thinking behind the actions.
We brought Buddy out for a lunge session, also. I’m trying to get his canter a bit more even…I’m glad that I can even ask him to canter on the lunge. We warmed him up at the walk and trot, and then stretched him and I gave him a mini-massage, and I demonstrated lunging for Leanne at the trot and canter, and then had her give him a go at the trot. Much like Hope, he doesn’t like to walk on the lunge line, so I went for getting some walk when asked and stopping – both sides. Leanne walked him out and about the farm to cool him off, and that gave them some time to just be together and get more comfortable with each other.
I meant to take some pictures, but forgot all about it when we started…talk about being in the moment. Tomorrow, I’m hoping to get some time in the saddle with Buddy.
I’m trying to keep in mind to ride every stride, and take each stride forward that I can: in life, on the horse, with the horse from the ground. It’s not the distance, it’s the step.
Filed under: Equestrian, Groundwork, horse training, horses | Tagged: Equestrian, Groundwork, horse, horse training, horses, lunging, roundpen, training a horse to saddle
