Niki takes the lead

Tuesday we got Libby, Luca, Reno, Niki, and Star out. I had ambitions for more of my horses but so it goes.

We got Libby out first, she was pretty hot from being in her stall today. We decided not to pull the tire today. Instead, I came down towards the gate to do the second half of our longlining and I got an impromptu lesson from Robert. I was a little surprised by this, but I'm very grateful that it happened.

I have a tendency to let horses set their own pace on the circle, thinking they'll eventually decide that they dont want to be doing as much work as they're doing. Libby never really decided to do too much less work. As a result she was rushy, counter bent, and unbalanced. Robert had me slow her down. This was easier said than done. She really hauled on my hands. The gate is still broken, and she was quite distracted by the possibility of freedom. So Robert had us go down to the walk when she got too rushy and then bring her right back up to the trot. Maybe three stride of walk total, or less. Then he started having me give her half halts before the transitions. (Something I also neglect to do, and I really should do it.) Slowly, she started to balance back better, her transitions got more balanced, it became easier to bend her correctly, and she maintained a better pace, even when headed towards the gate.

This was a revelation. I think its time to get Colonel on those long lines and teach him the meaning of the half halt, and see if I can get him more balanced, particularly at the canter. To this end I started putting together a system to try to lower the friction between the reins and the surcingle. It should allow me to be more precise with my reins.

Alyssa rode Keno some, and then she was ready to take Niki back out into the field. I am pleased that this took no pressuring from me. I got Star saddled up, and I took her around the field once first to make sure she would be fine as a companion horse for Niki (and Alyssa.) She was a little nervous but she settled down after we got past the scene of Saturday's crime. I came back to get Alyssa. Niki was sweaty, a board on the arena was broken. I didn't ask.

Niki hesitated crossing the culvert, but after a little pause she came right across. Alyssa handled her well though her mild anxiety going towards the spot where the dog came after us. After that Niki took the lead, Star trailed behind. That little mare can really book it.

Alyssa opted to go around the puddle, which makes sense if you want a low drama excursion. (And we do.) Star believed that this gave her license to go around the puddle. She was mistaken. Niki stared a little at the neighbor's horses, and then we moved on. After Niki crossed the culvert I held Star back. She was displeased and tried to back over the culvert. I just sat there until Star changed her mind. Once she was walking willingly away from the culvert I turned her around and headed for the arena.

We did some left lead canter that I'm pretty pleased with. She is really getting on my seat quite nicely. I stopped her without touching the reins. Just before we stopped she did a couple of strides of really nice uphill canter. I'm really becoming very happy with her. I may start doing some trot jumps with Alyssa soon. I want a little more forward in the canter in the arena first, and a little better balance around the turns. (They have gotten better since cantering in the field though, fancy that.)

We failed to catch any barn cats for spaying. Alyssa was scratched in the line of duty. She was gracious about accepting help cleansing her wound, so I'm pretty proud of her for that too.