Boot Camp Update #4

I think we are coming down to the end of Zoe's training.  Last night I visited her at the trainer's and had a great time with her!

I got her from her pen outside and got her all tacked up.  I've noticed that she's a lot more "looky" now than she was at home.  My guess is that she's alert now and paying attention to what I might ask her.  Make sense?

Anyways, I lunged her with the trainer's instruction.  Zoe has been cross-firing when asked to canter on the lunge line so she told me what she does to correct that.  I had to do it a couple times but got the hang of it eventually.  I've lunged plenty of horses before but have never been "taught", I guess you could say.  It was a good refresher and she had some pointers for me too.  Once I had Zoe going nice and soft we called it quits.  I think I lunged her for about 15 - 20 minutes.  On a side note, this mare is FIT.  She has excellent muscling through her back and haunches and is collected more consistently now.

I rode her at a walk/trot/canter for another 20 minutes, worked on some backing, turning, collection, and downward transitions (not much critiquing just being able to go from canter to trot, and trot to walk without stopping completely).  I noticed that this time riding I didn't have to use as much leg to keep her moving.  She also was learning that every time I move in the saddle, it doesn't mean stop.  The first time I rode her, any time I wiggled, she would slam on her breaks.  That was annoying.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE her breaks but she needs to learn when I'm actually asking her to stop.  But like I said, last night she maybe only slammed on her breaks twice but quickly stepped back up into the trot like I had wanted.  Turning is another issue we need improvement on so we did a lot of figure eights and changing directions.  It's coming.

I hose her off before putting her away.  It's been so nice and warm here that I was able to get away with it.  After this weekend it's supposed to cool off again so no more hosing her down.  I think I will have to invest in a cooler.

I left that lesson feeling energized and excited.  I did everything by myself and got a lesson from the trainer.  Unfortunately, we couldn't get another date for this week to work so I will have to wait another week before my Zoe's next lesson ride.  Only a couple more weeks and Zoe can return home! :)

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
"The most important questions in life can never be answered by anyone except oneself."

-John Fowles