Progress all around

Work with Maddie is sporadic due to the hot weather these days, but we always manage to do something.  Today Tracy came and picked us up and we went on the Caledonia trails for 2.5 hrs, removing trail markers from yesterday's Poker ride.  This was a great exercise, because you have to stop and grab these flags off of trees at about 50' intervals.  Maddie got very good at this work, and I was pleased that the snapping and swinging of the branches did not bother her.  She went out a little hot and nervous, but I focused on giving her release whenever I could and after a while she got calmer.  She loaded into the trailer very easily at both ends, although she backed off hotter than I would like both times.  She also was not happy in the trailer on the ride home and got fairly lathered up.  It was a hot buggy day and I was really proud of her overall.  We traded the lead, walked, trotted, and cantered, and really showed a lot of control.

Maria keeps riding in the park across the street and Maddie is getting better at this.  I don't think she is ready to ride without me on the ground, but Maddie's confidence is improving all the time.  The last time we visited the park, a teenage girl saw Maddie and screamed, loudly, "A horse!"  Maria & Maddie handled it well.

Back in the ring I am searching for impulsion and flexion.  I can get OK impulsion on a loose rein, and decent flexion without impulsion, but can't really combine the two yet.  Her canter in small areas is improving.  She can hold the canter on a 10m circle well.  She has lost weight in the heat and I am thinking an improved diet could help her impulsion.

I continue to hop on in her mud lot bareback and bridleless from time to time.  One night Maria and I were both on her back with no saddle and no bridle!  Lots of fun and it felt very solid.  Maria was in the driver's seat and could navigate us all around the lot.  Maddie is really coming along!