The ponies got their coggins drawn this morning so they were a little cranky at having to stay in for an extra 20 minutes or so. But I turned them out after and let them meander for a bit. Just a bit though because then I went and got Dan to go to Ashland for a nice ride.
We got there and tacked up and went for a spin around the little lake while we waited on Kelli. Then she decided that she wanted to do an arena ride instead of a trail ride, so we did that. (I was going to do both.. it just didn't matter which I did first).
Dan warmed up with some walking and lateral work and then we started trotting. He felt pretty decent but took a few lame steps here and there. After about 15 minutes or so, Kelli wanted some help so we stopped and watched her and Marvin go. Then when she was done, she watched us. Dan had been sitting for a good ten minutes so I had to pick him back up and put him back to work, and he wasn't quite as soft. I was telling Kelli that he feels like he's going well under saddle but his neck tells a different story. And I wasn't sure if I was just not getting him like I thought I was... or if it was his saddle... or just his poor stifle couldn't hold up.... or ??? So she watched us go a bit and said that he is just a bit too long and he's bracing in his jaw. He's nice and forward and out but he's not quite loose. He's holding himself up with his underneck and bracing. So, I asked him to go a bit more round, and he got better. She said he let go and started swinging. And I could feel it. But then he'd curl behind the vertical and/or shut down some. So it was a delicate balance. But I managed to get him in the nice swinging spot a good bit of the time. I picked up the canter and he was much rounder in the canter, even his hard way. However, he couldn't turn very tight to the left and we kept spiraling out of the arena. I'm not sure he could have pulled off a 15 meter circle. So we'll definitely have to figure out which tests we are going to do at the July horse show. Anyways... I was able to get him fairly consistently round in the trot without curling and Kelli said that he was using his neck correctly then and lifting his back and his footfalls got lighter. So yay. Maybe if I can remember to keep this up, his neck will start changing. I think I need the eyes on the ground to help me develop my feel better. Because while he feels good, he's not always as good as he can be. So, maybe I'll start doing pivo rides again.. if i can keep my phone from overheating!.
After that we chatted for a bit longer and then I took Dan on a cool down hack to the lake. He splashed around a little bit and then we headed back home. We passed a lovely black snake on our way. I'm not sure Dan even saw him. But we didn't step on him so that was good. And he was quite polite to let us pass without getting all angry.
Oh, and I forgot this gem from last night. Ha ha... But then tonight he was silly and making faces at me when I was sitting there on my phone while they finished eating... okay fine... you earned cookies :)
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