i really want to get a bit of a pattern going for tallic, let him know that his life of work has begun! so, even if it's only a short session, i reckon we're better off doing something than letting too much time lapse between work-outs. afterall, that's how it was for him at the 'breakers', and i think he needs the repetition to get some stuff/rules established.
well, the float's away (back in the shed where it belongs), so my ground work is in the arena now, although, of course, it starts from the moment i go out to him.
- tal was looking rather 'down trodden' and even depressed when i went out to him and boo in the stable this morning. i actually was wondering if he was crook. head down and sad looking. earlier on i thought he just looked tired, but i popped his halter on and left him standing with boo, didn't tie him up until i got the saddle, and he just looked so quiet. i don't think he copes well with the heat. he had a gobful of mineral lick on him too which made him look weird!!
- tied him up to put the saddle on. i got snapped at a couple of times, even though i do the girth up so nicely for him. ungrateful horse! carried the bridle out, decided to do some ground work in the halter and lead
- went out to the arena paddock, nicole and joe arrived, so we did the gate twice (good practise for our yields)
- took him over to the noisy neighbour's side of the arena, ready for the spacco dog to come flying out at us. thought i'd rather deal with it on the ground first this time (considering the little sod made tallic take off last time i rode him there) he didn't show until later when i was on - friggin typical hey!
- tallic was SO MUCH more forward and responsive today. had him trotting from tap tap on his side, i pretty much circled him so i didn't wear myself out running this time (unlike yesterday - i was pooped). i could lengthen his stride and quicken it at the walk, and then up to trot - NICE.
- had a go at pushing his quarters out by tapping on his flank, seemed to work. not so good on the shoulder (this is at walk and trot). managed not to crash into joe and cole, and he was fine working with him in the arena (seems to prefer it actually)
- bridle on, girth up another hole (i def. need a shorter girth, i've only got one hole to go, and that's on the all purpose saddle - dam - but, it does mean his weight is good.) speaking of which, i've added sunflower seeds and a bit of soy to his meagre ration now he's in work. his coat is rather dull since the rain scald, poor baby
- got him to go sideways to the round yard for me to get on, but when i had my foot and weight in the stirrup, he walked off sideways, not handy! decided to get on the 'normal' way, first time with no block/rail and no-one holding the stirrup leather. much better! stood well.
- ride was good! walking was more forward and responsive, steering wasn't even too bad!
- managed to quicken pace and also lengthen stride (i think, am having lesson tomorrow so norm can tell me!!)
- trotted - yay - no humpty dumpty, no rearing, just trotting (and only an occassional head shake into it - much better attitude) did several transitions, went full arena and some circles
- didn't need to tap tap very often, mostly responded off correct leg aids
- practised some indirect turns in corners where he was falling in
- practised some shoulder and hind quarter turns around corners
overall, very happy with the session!
still treating tal's face for rain scald and back pasterns for mud fever
washed PJ so i could put his summer rug on and keep some of the march flies away (thought they were going to carry tallic away when we started! have been covering him with musca-ban. i love the way he is quite happy for me to wave the whip over his hind quarters while i'm riding him around! i got bitten thru my jods - rotten mongrels
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