Keep On Riding

Taking a break from the trails, back in the ring we went.

Night before last I rode with A and another girl who's helping walk Dustin out. It was already dark so it was a good excuse to ride in the indoor. Don't get me wrong, I love riding outside, but with Brantley... Lack of fencing around the ring outside? Doesn't work well for us. We warmed up, did some bending into the fence. Trotted out and loped around, even with the other two horses he was very well behaved. I had already mentioned trying to get A on him for a while just to try but she was working with Lucy so I offered the other girl to get on him. She's only allowed to walk on Dustin so I thought it'd be good for both of them.

He backed up and wouldn't let her get on from the ground until I walked over and held him for her. By the look in his eyes, he was totally f*cking with her... Totally. She walked him around then picked up a jog, really enjoyed not having to post. I told her to point where she wanted to go and he followed her hand just like we've been working on. He looked great and relaxed, not worried at all.

When she was done and A looked like she was set with Lucy, she got on. Once again, calm, relaxed, ready to do whatever A wanted. She trotted around for a bit, did a circle, and picked up a lope. Having someone else on him didn't phase him at all and what I really liked is that A didn't ride on the canter, she rode with it. I love having someone get on my horse and do exactly what I ask them to do and it's successful. It actually helps me get to know my horse better if I know what I think is working is actually working... If that makes any sense. Great ride? I think so.

Last night after walking around on Dustin I got on Brantley in the indoor again. I had some things I wanted to work on like getting him softer in my hand and his balance. He was very forward but not in a bad way, it actually helped me to get his hind end really working and start introducing contact. Cantering was a little different... Rush rush rush rush... Sooooooo I responded with fine, you want to go? Go! After about 5 times around and a couple simple changes later... He was done. So we did some trot transitions and I figured out some stuff to work on for today.

I rode early this AM before lessons started and B was like putty in my hands. He was forward enough where I had to actually work more of myself than usual, but not rushing with his head up and eyes wide. We did a lot of trotting and serpentines, then circles in the corners. I introduced an exercise I used to do with Lucky with a moving circle. You start a circle at one corner and continue doing circles down the long side of the arena. Each time you complete a circle, you move further down the rail then start a new circle so your horse gets straight for a few strides then back into a slight bend. We went down both the long sides in both directions and although he was a little tired, he never pulled his head or came to a stop until I asked. He cantered lightly and politely with a couple simple changes and even one unexpected flying change which I really need to work myself on.

We really need to get some pictures and videos up so I'm not just babbling on about my rides... Or do something interesting other than work...