Getting a little stuck with Maddie. Progress is being made, but it's time to get on her and I have lost my nerve. Today we did good groundwork, building on the yielding of forequarters. She is starting to challenge me a bit with stiffness and head tossing on the lunge, but it's nothing I can't work through and it's good that she's showing it to me now. She is standing pretty well for saddling but for some reason she's still ticklish on her belly and it hasn't improved much.
Groundwork with the dressage whip is getting fun. Got a couple steps of shoulder in today. When I back her she holds her head on the vertical like a PRE! Very soft and pretty.
I stood in one stirrup on both sides for a 10 count and then hopped on for what will have to be recorded as my first official ride on Maddie. She moved off before I could dismount and I stayed on hoping to get her soft before hopping off. She bent well to my rein but danced around and after about 3-4 turns I came off. I stood up unhurt and brought her back to the center and went back to work. The woman watching me was nice enough to say that it looked good--no bucking. But I'm dismayed at my lack of confidence! Arrrgh. She's telling me to move forward but I lack the riding experience to push through this. Maria has promised to come out Sunday and we'll put her back in the saddle while I control Maddie from the ground. Have to keep moving.
Afterwards I worked on her front legs and got her to hold up her legs nicely (with a rope). I also starting sacking her out with a bit and bridle--no problems. She's a good girl.
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