Quiet day

Mixed things up again today.  Started in the round pen outside, working her with the lariat.  The ground is not as good as I thought and I could not push her.  But I needed to do something as she has become very hooked up to the qh gelding next to her.  Anyway, once she stopped reacting to the lariat landing on her rump I brought her to the center and went over her with the lead rope quickly.  Then I proceeded to do the real lariat work on her haunches.  I worked up to a good loop that went from her back to her hocks, and lunged her like this.  I did not pull real hard but made her ride through a few kicks until she accepted it.  This went better than I thought.  I did both sides and moved on to pick up off the fence.

This started very well and I could rub my boot all over her back and use my knee to weight her back.  She still ran off once or twice but overall did very well.  I am working the near side only right now.

Went into the indoor for more ground work.  Saddled her up.  Stepping through from turn on the forehand to turn on the haunches has a lot of snap right now--she steps over a good 4-6' at once.  Really fun to do this exercise.  Made her jump barrels at the scary end of the arena.  Focused on standing still while she did all the work.  Used outback exercise when I wanted to rub her.  Did some bucket work, worked on her face, and picked up the front feet.  Started on back legs, lifting with the lead rope.  She really stayed calm for all this.  Wish I had Maria today, but she was home sick.  Perfect day to put a rider on.

Finished outside with a little work over the new obstacles, then pick up off the fence with the saddle on.  Could really bang my leg and boot over the saddle, she only ran off once.  Also led her in and out of the barn a few times, going into a different stall each time.

Shoulder in on the left rein is really solid.  The right rein needs more bend, but it's coming along.