Sunday ride

Star did not get out while I was gone in Miami Jan 9-13, but Brian took her out with Panda and me on Sunday /15th. Star did great, although she is still going away from the barn in a drunken weave. When the deer spooked us and I came off Panda I could see that Star was pretty spooked, too. Hopefully she will do better the next time.

On Wednesday I jumped her off the lunge and she did a 2' vertical very nicely. She does not have the impulsion problem she had last time and I thought she looked very nice going over.

Two rides on Sunday

Brian rode Star twice today. Once at the barn, where he cantered in the indoor for a bit and then took her outside on the power line trail. They had a good ride without incident.

In the afternoon, Brian rode Star in Caledonia with Panda, Konread, and Morgan. She was the star of the ride--the calmest horse. She rode in every position, doing best in the middle. In front she was a little drunken and had trouble with going over a culvert. Brian cantered her along a fenceline towards the end of the ride and she looked terrific. A very good experience for her.

Lalo lesson

On Thursday I did only ground work, so Friday with Lalo was the first time I rode her for a few days. Her hindquarters are moving over good but not great. Did a little attempt at direct flexion at the walk. Trot was hard to keep going as usual. Trouble maintaining both the trot and a decent circle. I tried cantering her a couple times but mostly succeeded in tiring myself out and making her buck. I ended with a lot of strong trot and circles that were a bit rounder.

Brian put his saddle on her and made her canter quite nicely, a good 6-8 times around and she looked good. It took a lot of effort and stubborn will to get her started, though. Lalo took a turn and had the same difficulty keeping her going, but made some good progress. He also got her to canter on the right lead which has been the difficult side so far.

Sunday and Tuesday

On Sunday Brian & I took turns on Star. For me she trotted well and felt good. I went to canter early on before she tired and met with mixed results. She bucked almost every time I asked for canter. I hopped off and tried lunging her at the canter, which was difficult. Afterwards, Brian hopped on and rode her off the halter, at the walk and trot.

On Tuesday I worked her at the walk and trot only, including bending barrels and trotting poles. She is picking up her feet nicely over the trotting poles, and bending around the barrel nicely. Stepping over well. From the ground she is starting to give a few steps of shoulder in. I also focused on stepping over with crossed hind legs from the ground.

First cruise lesson

Nice session on Saturday. Ground work, including the "C" pattern up and down the arena. Worked on stepping over from the ground and the saddle. Right side stiffer but coming along. Cruise at the trot, yielding to a stop minimally. Don't want to shut her down too much. Circles starting to get round. Cantered in both directions. Kicked out a couple times.

4th ride

We did not work Star yesterday but had a nice session today. Brian did most of the riding, using his Western saddle with a straight bit, curb chain, and running martingale. Star looked good. We worked a little in the outdoor arena and then spent about 30 minutes on the power line "trail." On the way back we switched horses.

Another outdoor ride

Brian came over again and spent a good 20 minutes working on Star's tail--it's finally free of tangles. He hopped on Panda while I worked with Star. I set up the lunging jump standard and worked her over it at a very low height--she was a little balky. I'd like to see her a little more forward and light.

In the saddle I was able to trot some large circles on both reins. Very calm and showing good response to the whip, with no scary surprises. She will stop moving if I let her, though.

We took both horses out for about 45 minutes of outdoor riding, along the road and up and down a power line right of way. We did a short canter going out the driveway, which felt good. Star pulled her head constantly towards home, but was otherwise very controllable and calm. Once or twice she hopped when a noisy car went past. When we got back to the barn we worked some more in the outdoor arena. Star is stepping over well on both reins now. Overall an outstanding ride for both horses.