A perfect day to work Maddie today. The wind finally died down and it was not too cold. Spent 15 minutes on groundwork and then got right up there. We worked over ground poles, around the barrel, and into the walls. Focus now is on getting her moving. I was able to make some fairly good circuits at the posting trot today, but she was always on the edge of petering out. She is not as dull as Star was, but something like that. I was using a short rope to slap her on the withers to keep her going today. I'll probably try the dressage whip tomorrow. She was bending well and did shoulder in on both reins. We also rode while a horse was being lunged in the arena with us. She did not seem to pick up off the other horse.
In general I think I have her defenses figured out at this point, so I feel much more confident in the saddle now. More than once she came to a quick halt on her own--I couldn't tell if it was to buck, but I made her step around my inside leg just the same. Once when I flexed her she went to bite my leg. This kind of thing should disappear once I have a better "go" button. Same for the pinned ears, which she shows less and less as I gain more control over her. She is holding a fairly low head and not paying too much attention to things around her now.
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