Catching up

I have not posted in awhile because Blu continued with his ups and downs. He was re-shod 3 weeks ago and since then he has been oh so much better. He has actually come sound and I have been moving him up in his reconditioning. He is now working a good 40 - 45 minutes. I reintroduced canter and he is sound after cantering in both directions. Baby steps though...

I am starting him off long and low asking him to trot out on a loose rein. Since long lining last week he has started to get the hang of not being so up in his frame. Once I get some good steady work in both directions, I pick him up and we do transitions in the gait at the walk and trot. I have also introduced some baby leg yields and shoulder-in. I also finish giving him the rein at the trot and letting him stretch out. He really likes it and goes for it.

Long lining was a revelation for him. He was pretty funny to start -- very excited and prancing around like an FEI show pony. He then figured out what Claudia was looking for and practically dropped his nose to the ground. It was remarkable.

Next week we will take our first lesson in 4 months. I am too excited to even think about it right now. I am feeling like everything is starting to fall into place! In the meantime, we will continue with our rehab and start working back outside again. We went out at the end of the ride tonight to walk around the ring. He really loved going out. He marched right outside and down the dirt road to the arena. He wanted to get out and have a look around. I think if all goes well tomorrow we might do a short hack.