Trailssage

I've managed to get in another couple of rides on Ms Bridget this week. I'm focusing on her since I'd like to take her to the clinic this coming weekend.

G is away so I have no picture taker. You get to see the adventures of Bridget from the rider view instead.

 In the last few days we've made some progress understanding just what exactly I'm asking with those legs of mine. She's funny, she gets really frustrated if you have to ask twice and she doesn't immediately understand what you're asking - just like Ginger. Then once she's a little more confident with it, she's wanting to show you her new moves at every opportunity, also like another cob we know.  My sample size of two indicates cobs are all super smart overachievers :)

Little mare still has an excellent forward button, and a really great work ethic, but the rhythm is lacking and it feels a little stop and go up there. I think it's just a matter of confidence at the moment, and a short attention span: "Look! I know exactly what you want, watch me trot!" then 5 seconds later "ok...are we still trotting? Cause I could walk now? Or canter?" Normal baby stuff, and just a matter of miles. I switched out her bit to a loose ring french link (she was in a d-ring snaffle) and she's WAY better with that, and getting really good at trusting my hands and not bracing quite so much in the downward transitions. I'm using my dressage whip to tap her shoulders and help her out with the steering now and then, but she's getting the idea.

I'm happy with the variety we're getting by hacking all over the place, with the odd stop at the ring. It works out really well because I can play with mostly bending and moving off my leg at the walk in the ring and keep it fun and easy, and focus more on the forward/rhythm stuff on the ride there and back since the trail and road helps funnel her in the right direction. I'm remain super impressed with her and am so appreciative that I can just take her out on the trails and work with her there and not lose her focus.

Tomorrow is a day off for the ponies while I get that darn house painting done, then the weekend is that clinic. Busy, busy...but oh so happy :)