Feeling Punchy!!

 Whoo hoo!! My homemade bosal hanger works! And looks pretty darn snazzy if I do say so myself. :) I really wish I hadn't screwed up the more brown leather and had to get more, which was more burgandy. But oh well. Maybe I'll be motivated enough to try again but ... good enough for now!

 

I rode Dan at home since I had run out of time between my eye appt, Jacel lesson and then riding Lyric. But it was fine since I wanted to try out the bosal anyways. I just wish I had put all the groundpoles up because I couldn't really practice my test manuevers. Although to be fair, I have kind of forgotten what the test were anyways.  Ha ha. I need to go back and learn them again! But we played with the pattern pieces anyways. At least as best as I could estimate around the poles. We also did the poles. He was super!! I really do like him in the bosal. Although I'm starting to get paranoid that he won't be able to feel my weight and seat aids and leg aids in the saddle as much as in the bareback pad and then our rides will suck. Ughhh. I need my saddle to get here soon so I can get some practice rides in! 

 

He's still a little sticky bending, especially right, but iti was better today. Especially when I paid attention to my body. And we had some lovely leg yields. And our canters were decent. He didn't fall out of it today and I balanced him better but he struggles bending a bit more there too. We got some nice reinback too! I like Liz's technique... right rein, right leg, release, left rein, left leg, release and repeat. It works nicely! We practiced our serpentines and tried to do our barrel circles but it was hard not having an actual spot to circle around. But we tried. I'll relearn the tests and go practice at Ashland and then set up actual barrels or jump standards at home to practice that part for the obstacles! I'm also hoping to go get a lesson at Linda's farm on Saturday to practice the obstacles there. 

 

He was very good boy and seemed pretty happy in the bosal. And pretty ridable too! Of course most of that is because it makes me ride off my seat and legs. And oh, we got a lovely trot lengthen across the diagonal today too! And played with the stretchy trot. Which wasn't as good as it has been. And definitely not as good as Funny's 10. ;) We'll keep working at it. 

Good pony!

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Oh, and while I was grooming him today, I told myself to not be angry at his behavior but show him how to "use his words". So... I was patient and kind and watched. And when he got snarly, I stopped and did some fascial work. And... he appreciate it. And while it seemed like he needed it in lots of spots, it wasn't really that many. And then he got less cranky overall. So... I'll keep trying to listen as long as he quits screaming at me for all the things. :) Deal buddy?