Good Vibrations

 Travelling to Quebec and seeing all those lovely horses and riders was inspirational to me and I was excited to get back to riding.  But I also needed to catch up on chores, which included   ordering in my winter hay.  The big 4 string squares can't really be moved by hand. We wrestle them on to the tractor and then put them in place. Every time Ed went by Quaid tried to grab a bite. When he missed he'd give me his sad eyes. Finally Ed stopped so he could taste. 

Quaid: just a nibble

I was able to just jump back into riding and both horses were feeling the fall weather. With Carmen that makes her spicy and jumpy. Quaid is more reactive too but not as committed. With him I've been focussing on adding confidence and riding forward.  It feels like things are improving. 

pretty falling leaves, brisk winds and cool air. 
What could go wrong? 

With Carmen she can get pretty heavy in the hand when she's feeling contrary. It can lead to a tug of war that I definitely don't want.  It's so easy to fall into the trap of taking my legs off and bracing with my hands.  So I was glad to have a lesson yesterday with Jane. It was Carmen's turn anyway but I probably would have chosen her anyway. 

As an aside, I can recognise how lucky I am to have two horses to ride while I worry that I'm not advancing them as fast because I can't afford two lessons a week. Such a first world problem. 

It was a cold and blustery day. Jane has been taking lessons from Janine Little and we are all benefiting from that. Jane started us walking and having me work on keeping the bit moving in her mouth and not locking my hands and giving her something to lean on. I always worry about moving the bit because I think I'm going to end up see-sawing on her mouth. But Jane explained that it's more like a vibration and keeps her from locking on the hand and keeping her neck tight and stiff. 

Sharing this photo because Cordelia LOVES 
Dottie. Dottie is less enamoured, lol

What was neat about doing this that it kept her attention on me and not all the stuff blowing around.  I love having a pivo but it struggled to keep us in the frame. I don't know if the wind was a factor or if it was trying to follow a rider dressed in gray riding a gray horse on a gray day.... 

lots of shots like this or with no horse lol

After we walked Jane had us move right into canter. First off, her canter is so much more balanced now. We then moved into working on counter canter. Carmen broke and switched her lead so Jane had us practice picking up the counter canter on a circle. It was really hard and I struggled to line up my aids. Carmen was adorable, she knew I was asking for the wrong lead so she just fixed it. So that will be homework.  Of course I was to this while keeping the bit mobile and asking her to half-halt and not hold. And also not over-aid. As I said to Jane, my default is always to hold. So this was really good for me to focus on it. 

counter canter- looks a bit wild but it really wasn't 

I also can fall into the trap of trying to ride well by being too strong. It's been a real lesson for me this year (or really all years lol) is that trying harder means riding softer. But honestly it really works.  

We did trot work at the end. I really liked doing the ride this way. Her trot was so loose and soft and just so flexible.  No leaning on the bit or plowing on her shoulders. 

having so much fun

whee, moving towards suspension

It was a great lesson and exactly what we needed. Keeping the bit mobile made a huge difference in our half-halts. They were more effective and lighter.  Jane says that our flying changes are getting closer which is exciting.  I'm really happy with how my riding has progressed this year.