#lateral flexion

[blazed-chestnut]

[redemptionhorsemanship]

Forward motion

Pat Parelli says "Imagine, never having a bad horse day again."

Well Mr Parelli, I don't have to imagine, I know. I can't remember the last time I had a bad horse day. Sure I've had days where things don't quite go to plan, and "bad" things happen, but my mindset takes it as a "hmmm, how interesting" moment, a event to learn from. Not something to throw a paddy over and be sad and threaten to give up horse altogether.

Today was yet another of those awesome days. Red is just blossoming and I am SO unimaginably proud of him. My heart soars every time he makes more progress. I can't imagine living a single day of my life ever again without that feeling of joy and accomplishment. 

Today he trotted out on the circle with the surcingle and girth saddle pad on. Yesterday was the first time he'd trotted with it on since he had the bucking fit, so I only allowed him to make 1/4 to 1/2 a circle before I stopped him. But today I let him go for 1.5-2 complete circles in each direction and there was not even a hint that he might buck over it.

I've begun adding stretching into our warm-up routine. Our warm up has become a series of tasks that encourage him to work through his body. So things like hill therapy, backing a weave, stretching out his front end, and his back line.

And when I hopped on today, he was introduced to yet more new things. Firstly I had a riding crop because I find using the tail of the mecate and/or the carrot stick too awkward and cumbersome. This isn't used to spur him on, but more to drive him if he's not moving off of steady pressure. So when I ask for neutral disengagement, if he doesn't move off my leg, I'll gently tap his hip to drive it over. And then today it came in handy when trying to teach him to follow a direct rein. Lead it out (direct rein), open the gate (leg on turning side off), close the gate (opposite side leg on), drive it over (use crop to drive front end)

With these four phases he got it in moment until eventually all I had to do was lead out and put my leg on the opposite side. This will all eventually build to a lot more forward motion. Today we only got a few steps forward, but still, it's forward Lucky I bought a helmet yesterday! I do need to remember to point my eyes and belly button to where I want to go instead of focusing on what I am doing.

And then today just for interests sake, I also bought a hoof rasp and had a play around with his feet, more just leveling and beveling. He was very tolerant, despite how long it was taking me.

Really loving this boy and how things are going. Couldn't really be much happier.