Sloooowly getting up there

Maria came out with me this morning and we both took rides again.  We started out on a lead line and then graduated to "off line."  Maddie is fussier than I expected at this point but she is starting to figure it out.

My ride on Maddie was a little shorter--I am still finding my sea legs on this horse.  One good thing--during my ride Maddie took off at a good clip after some snow fell off the roof, and she shut down very well on one rein.  We resumed the lesson without incident.  Actually, her one rein stop and overall responsiveness to bit and leg is very good.  She can step over very softly on either rein.  Maria was able to step her over very well, too.  After my ride Maria hopped on again.  We rode 90% at the walk today.  There is no doubt that she needs some trot and canter work ASAP, but neither one of us has the skills to do this.  We'll proceed with baby steps.

After the arena work, Maria took Maddie outside and released her into an empty paddock.  She stayed close by and did not seem overly concerned.  Maria is really falling for this horse, btw.

I had intended to ride her yesterday but it didn't work out.  I still had the small round pen set up and started to warm her up, but it was a busy night at the barn and there were 3 other horses being worked hard in the arena (even reining practice with high-speed canter).  All this commotion was not conducive to an early ride on a 3 y/o, so I stayed on the ground.  I also took her outside and loaded her into the trailer a few times.  She is stepping onto the trailer well with all 4 feet but not staying in there yet.  Once it dries up I can do more practice with the trailer (it's in a mud hole today).