Every ride is a discovery

I had a super lesson last night. I have to be told things a million times before it actually sinks in. Blu is a very sensitive boy in terms of the downward transition. You can not sit into him for the downward transition or he will land like a lump of lead on his forehand. Instead I have to keep my seat fairly light and steady and compress with my upper abs and sit a bit taller. Presto! The perfect transition from canter to walk or trot. I am really challenged by his walk. He tends to be lateral and my instinct is to push him forward. Wrong! Instead I have to quiet my seat and soften him in the rein so he does not set up against me. I have to think of slowing his gait and getting him relaxed through the topline. He gives me lots to think about.

He also rides very differently from left to right. Going to the right I have to think about him bending and giving in the neck whereas to the left I cannot take as much inside rein and I have to keep his hind legs on track.

The trot continues to be the most challenging for both of us. I have to stop letting him set the pace and I need to ride every step. Once I do that he is most complicit and the trot improved tremendously.

Strength through his back and in his hind end will need to improve to get rid of his "pony steps" . I have started him on another round of Estrone which helped him that last time.

Every ride is a joy and a discovery!

When all else fails... ride

It has been a tough couple of weeks at work. After working a full day getting in the car and driving close to an hour to see my boy is tough but at the end of the road is my solace. Blu was waiting for me; he stuck his long neck out so I could scratch it and offered his face so I could rub it. Then he wanted to know where the peppermints were hid.

We had a short ride but it was effective. It got him loose and did the same for me. Being a desk jockey really takes it toll on my lower back and hips flexors. Blu takes the brunt of that and while he is for the most part gracious it certainly does not help his warm up.

A week without riding is bad for the soul

I have spent the past work week sitting facing a computer from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm that is until tonight. While those crazy webinars and meetings pay the bills, it was good to feel the cold air on my face and pick the hoofs of my pal Blu. He got a good currying... the white fur was flying leaving clumps on the floor and sticking to my black pants. I looked like I had grown a hair coat! Blu felt indulged as I scratched all the right spots.

We had a short outing this evening. Transitions.... were the name of the game and warming up his limbs so we can be ready for some heavy work tomorrow. Canter/ walk/ trot/ canter... a very good transition sequence for him. Shoulder-in is my friend. I must think half-halt from the elbow to make it more effective and not take so much on the inside rein going to the left.

Every ride is truly a lesson and an adventure. I just love his happy demeanor. He is a big love.

Saying goodbye

Goodbye Lee. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I thought I was being thoughtful by planning for his departure months in advance -- I stopped riding him months ago, I stopped grooming him weeks ago (don't worry others did it for me) but the one thing I have not done is stopped loving the big lug. So much for planning. Watching his new mother drive away with him was way too much. My comfort comes from knowing he is off to horse paradise and I am left with some great memories. I also have the love and support of my many friends and the magnificent Blu.

So after drying my eyes and getting my wits about me, I saddled up Blu and had a nice ride in the freezing cold. Horses are truly good for the soul. A couple of little spooks to get my attention and Blu and I decided it was a day to go easy... a little canter, a little trot, some transitions and we called it a day.

Good bye Lee. I will miss you.

Is he firing off that right hind?

A good lesson this evening. I ride around thinking he could give me a little more from behind but never really do anything about it. My instructor told me tonight I needed to goose Blu with my right spur since he was blowing me off. So I did and he swished his tail, swapped his leads behind and swapped them again then I had a most terrific ride. My endurance was great and we worked it. Why is riding straight such a mystery? I think I need to change my focus a bit ... I need to start thinking more about what is happening behind me and stop worrying so much about what is happening up front.

Schoolmaster takes me to school.

Blu was terrific last night. Every ride is a lesson. I was blessed last night with no stiffness in my hips so I was able to let go and let my legs drop down. He is so attuned to the seat and leg. I could feel his response to my inside leg and half halt in the corners beautifully balancing. While being on his forehand is his favorite place to be, we did many transitions - walk/ halt, halt/trot, trot/ halt, trot/ canter, canter/ walk. over and over and over again. What a fabulous horse I had after that. Then we moved on to simple changes of lead. I thought about staying in the moment and riding each stride. It helped me and Blu was generous and correct with his response.

A good currying was in order after the ride so I scrubbed all the right spots for which he shows his gratitude by elongating his neck and sticking out his prehensile upper lip at the same time pushing his butt right up against the curry. He is really quite comical. He does not like all the blankets. I am sure it is something to get used to coming from Florida. He is a very good sport though.

Last evening's ride will have to hold me over since I would not be able to get to the barn to ride until after everyone had vacated the premises for the evening. I do not like riding alone... probably not the safest thing to do. Tomorrow is a new day and I look forward to the next adventure and the lessons Blu has to teach.