Finally A Ride, And A Contest?!

I finally got to ride this morning. Wasn't the best ride... I was a little unfocused. Threw his barrel saddle on, snaffle one-eared headstall... I just wanted to get on and go but decided to of course do a few sending exercises. He was lazy but kept his eyes on me like he was supposed to. I felt confident getting on. The choice was ride until he gives me the "F-U, I don't want to go forward" or give him something else to think about. So we took a few strides at the walk forward, then we stopped, and took a few steps back. Right away he was like, "No way..." So I asked him to back another step then immediately move forward once he placed his foot down. Walk, trot, canter, that's what we did. We had a couple of moments and I'd love to be like, "Well maybe it's this or maybe it's that." But if he can be responsive and forward and ready to move on the trail? He can do it in the ring, no B.S. Honestly though, I think we're getting bored and I'm losing steam. Equine Affaire is around the corner, maybe I can get some flatwork motivation.

In other news! Trailed this "little" contest through Ms. Hillary at Equestrian at Hart and if my computer would stop being dumb and let me enter, it'd be pretty sweet. But, if I don't win... Some of this stuff may still end up in my tack trunk.

Check out The Owls Approve. She posted some interesting stuff about a company called the Herbal Horse and is so far in love with her products. I'm really interested in the Be Calm and the Muscle Soothe myself so we'll see where this takes us. If you get a chance, enter! It'd be worth to read more reviews on the stuff but so far all I'm hearing is awesome things!