All Dressed Up

This was Victoria Day weekend in Canada and the weather has been beautiful. I had four glorious days off in a row and I planned to make use of the time.  I caught up on some farm chores, took the dogs on lots of walks (they are currently snoring on the carpet in doggy exhaustion) and, of course, rode. Saturday was rainy but it cleared up in the afternoon and I could squeeze in a short ride. 

I'm getting better at keeping her under me and using her hind end. I am struggling with contact, I feel that I'm doing well but when I look at pictures I think my reins are too long and my arms look tight. Sigh. Anyway.....

Sunday I had a lesson booked with Shanea. It was the end of day so by then I was a bit tired. I much prefer to ride in the morning.  This weekend was also supposed to be the Johanna clinic and I had saved the  new saddle pad/ear bonnet. Of course the clinic was cancelled and I was missing my friends and spending a weekend immersed in horses. 

Christmas gift from my daughter

I decided that dwelling wasn't helpful so I got Carmen out in the morning and gave her a good bath. When I was done, she was gleaming. That way I felt good about putting on this shiny outfit. 

Carmen was not feeling it though.... I think she looks awesome

As always, our warm up takes a while. Our first trot is almost always a shit show. I'm attributing it to the saddle needing adjustment (yet another thing delayed due to the virus). I tend to give her rein and encourage her forward. Getting too strongly after leads to arguments and not asking her to move out leaves us stalled in this balky, uncomfortable place.  

reeeeally not feeling it

But as we work through a number of transitions and bending and she begins to feel better. 

better

Shanea has a good understanding of Carmen and what she needs. She also has a good understanding of how I let things slide and I need to tighten up. Like our shoulder in. We did a lot of work one getting her to bend through it and now just half-ass it. 

not too bad and at least I'm not pulling on the inside rein

The wind was pretty breezy but that was a godsend because the blackflies are out with a vengeance. Poor Shanea ended up eating a few I think.  

We are doing better on being straight and keeping her on the outside rein. Not always, but it feels more consistent. Our biggest hurdle is her distractibility which impinges on her suppleness and rhythm. So we can be going forward and then she becomes behind the leg. 

not tight here but thinking about it

Our canter work is a lot better- I can keep her straight and forward. When she tightens and gets super bouncy I'm better at riding her through it and not just giving up and clutching.  Our right canter is more of a struggle (not a new problem). She's trying though. When she gets distracted she falls out of it and I am trying to regroup and pick back up. 

Add caption

After our canter, Carmen came into a lovely, forward and powerful trot. Shanea was encouraging me to ride her forward into that and not choke it out. We were motoring but I was feeling unsafe. And she gave a big start. 

deke right

We regrouped but not as good as before. I realize that she and I are both a little overwhelmed by her power and that leads to issues. We need to work on that so we both feel in control of it. 

I was so excited with this lesson. It felt like we're making real progress. 

Plus we looked snazzy.