Looking Up

Things are looking up I guess you could say. I've still got some things on my mind that I've been thinking about and unsure how to deal with but as always, you just have to go with the flow and see where the path leads.

I had a great ride on Brantley last night which was definitely a pick me up from the last few times I worked with him. We did some ground warm up and then I got on (with my side-pull) and worked on just getting him back to where he had been. Nothing drastic just trotting, direction changing, listening to my legs and not my hands. He scooted a couple of times but he was NOTHING like he has been, thank god. Luckily I don't get frustrated easily when it comes to the ponies (except when I wasn't riding him).

Speaking about frustration... Yes, I have patience, and yes, I don't get frustrated easily... But lately my threshold as been HORRIBLE. Like tiny little things just set me off and I guess that's from just holding all the big stuff back. I just remind myself, it could be worse. I could not have the things that I have, even though living in a cardboard box seems much simpler than my life right now. I could learn to deal with the cold... People throw comforters out all the time (unless you're me and donate them to your dog).

Back to the pony. We had a good w/t ride, I tried to pick up a canter but N's horse Comet was a little jumpy so I didn't want to push it and upset him. N's a good rider and could handle a naughty pony, but she's working on building a relationship with her horse and I am not one to hold her back. She was having a hard time keeping his pace at the trot and he really wanted to rush. She was asking questions like what she was doing wrong, does he look okay, what can I do to slow him down... So me being myself, "Do you want me to hop on so you can see?"

B stood quiet and gentleman-like for her while I jumped on Comet. Already I saw a difference with him at the mounting block which I was impressed with. They were having an issue in the beginning but I showed her some tricks and I guess it helped! He was quick and we walked a bit so I could get comfortable. I told her that I wasn't going to try and ride him like I ride B but more like how she was trained to ride, "All fancy like". She laughed and I picked up a trot. LB moment, he was bouncy and forward and total OTTB. LOVED IT! N was right, for an old guy he's quick and wants to move. I took advantage of that and welcomed his stride, not holding him back, but letting him stretch through his legs with my seat. He wanted to trot, THEN BY GOD TROT!

I told her that you can work his brain more at the trot than the canter. There are so many things that you can do with that one gait! Slow, sitting, working, extended, direction changes, circles... All at the trot. And he wants to do it. I did the same thing with Pretty in the beginning. I didn't ask her to lope for at least a month until I knew I could control the trot. He framed up nice and got under himself and was just really a pleasure to ride, when he worked it. Trot until he can't trot anymore, then ask him to trot some more. I hope I gave her some good advice and she seemed really happy with the rest of the ride. We'll see how it goes!

And yes... I am missing my Pretty roley-poley arab...