my turn

One of my longer sessions today, at least since the early days.  I began with some liberty work, which is SO much fun!  We have done so much bonding that it's very easy to lunge her without a rope.  Just point and cluck to push her out, and drop my eyes to bring her in.  I have done this a couple of times now.  I also like to leave her loose while I set up ground poles and such.  Sometimes I make her yield or back as I walk past her with a ground pole.

Made her trot out strong, going all around the arena.  Beginning to push her into the corners.  Her impulsion is getting better each session.  I worked her over the trotting poles a bit--she has learned how to run out on them if I'm not paying attention.  But when she accepts them, she can really dance over those poles.  Did the rest sessions down at the scary end, where we did lateral work at the walk.  Shoulder in coming along, good turn on the forehands now.  Used the dressage whip for the first time--she accepted it fine.  No more reaction when I touch or rub behind the saddle.  Also introduced backing--she offered beautiful steps.  No problem to get 5, 6, 7 or more very smart steps back on a light contact.  If anything, she was wondering if this backing could be used to get out of things, so I needed to be judicious.

Finished my indoor work with one canter on the left rein, about 5 or 6 times around a 20m circle.  Wow!  Like sitting on a couch, and soft on the reins.  Good impulsion and no need to keep pushing her.  BTW, for the canter I used a short crop on the shoulder, not the more awkward dressage whip.

Took her to the outdoor arena and focused on walk.  It's still soft out there and I didn't want her running off with such soft footing.  She did very well.  There was another horse out there with us for a spell.

Gave Maddie her first bath--just the hose on her legs and chest.  Like everything else at the Pink Barn, the wash rack is dangerous (slippery smooth rubber mat, old metal fencing stacked at one end) and primitive (no shutoff or nozzle), so I didn't want to push her.  She danced a little, so I just waited for all 4 feet to stand still before taking the hose away.

Did some trailer work. She is stepping on very well, but she still can come off in a hurry.  I tried doing some tie practice and she pulled back pretty hard.  We plan to trailer her on Saturday for a first trail ride, but I think I will borrow a modern slant load for this.

Finished with a walk down the driveway and some ground work next to the road.  Getting better at this.