Tear Drop Winken: Back to the Grind

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Back to the Grind

B and I have been spending a LOT of time on the trails lately which I still can't believe we're doing. Between going out with A and Lucy or the BO and her stud Merlot, it's always a good time and Brantley really relaxes and enjoys himself. We did get to canter out on the trail as I posted before which was amazing, but it was time to ride for real and do some ring work.

Showed up after work the night before last and pulled out E's saddle that she left at the barn. Cute little 16.5" Collegiate. It fits the boy and I okay, but I'm not ready to put money in for an English saddle yet so it'll have to do. Regular pad, Lami-cell pad, KK Ultra Loose Ring, I was ready to ride. I even threw on E's polka-dot polo wraps for a bit of flare. We made it to the indoor and hooked up some music. Brantley has always had "mounting block issues" but we've made it this far and I think we were ready to do something new. I put the block next to the wall in the corner of the ring so he could walk around it, but not back up. It was NOT a problem whatsoever. So much not a problem that I had to get back off to get gloves (wicked blisters from the weekend) and jumped back on. Dismounting after every ride onto the block definitely made it easier. He's learning that may be where I get on, but it's also where all his "problems" go away.

We warmed up around the ring until he dropped his head and really stretched out in the cold. There are a lot of things that I want to do with him now that we've been using a bit like trying to get him actually on the bit and moving forward. I would pick up the rein and of course he'd stop but bumped my legs on him to ask him to move forward into the contact. A little confused at first and really started to work into it. We did a lot of trotting and I worked him the same way. Long, loose rein as always, then slowly work up a bit of contact. He kept his head up more than usual instead of dropping into the bit, but E's saddle is like a slip 'n slide compared to my barrel saddle that sucks you in like a race car seat. It'll be a lot of work for me and him to really get our balance together. That is one reason it's taken me so long to really start working him in the ring like this. I want to make sure that if I fall out of place or out of balance, he won't have a psych moment... Did a lot of half ring circles as well as serpentines and figure-8's. Getting him to work on the bit and bend around my leg was something completely different for the both of us.

Rode last night with Kate and Lucy before dinner and we had a great time. It was awesome to see her riding, especially to ride with me! Brantley walked side by side with his girlfriend without even giving a furry eye. A and I have been working on that out on the trail because it was another one of his "issues" before. He's getting better especially riding with Merlot. Lucy was very well behaved and willing to work for K. She likes Amanda but you can tell she misses Mom.

Rode again this morning in the indoor, used the wannabe rain clouds as an excuse. He was great and we worked on the same kinds of things, but a little more. I pushed him further and did some simple lead changes at the canter. Lots of trotting around the ring, getting him to move forward and out of his slow western trot/jog. Already excited to ride tomorrow.

Went home, picked up Chevy, and came back to watch Prudy's lesson with Niall. Can't wait to ride with him at some point. Have to make sure the boy and I are ready! Here are some pictures from today. Still figuring out how to play with the camera settings instead of just doing the auto button. I'll get it!