Western lesson

 bosal and bareback

liz said he looked good in his body and sound

dragging toes but if i sit up tall and squeeze my legs, he gets more engaged. Ahhh. no nagging. but need the whip. he did get quicker with his hind end though when i sat up and squeezed vs kicking

hands low, elbows at my side. 

started with one rein stop. HOLD until he stops... completely. Not a release while he's stopping. one rein straight back. getting quick. 

then to turn, open the rein... i'm doing WAYYYY too much movement and creating a slingshot effect. eventually i'll just roll my wrist. but for now.. i can two hands right, or two hands left, but only TO THE WITHER. Do not cross the wither. Think more of guiding his nose but guide and release, guide and release, guide and release for the turn. vs guide through the entire turn. 

i'm still over riding way too much but for a first time officially it was good.

then tried the lope from the walk. he's pretty good at listening to my seat and got a really nice lope. especially when I "take it in the butt". ha ha... dribble... don't wipe my seat. he got kinda nice and round! 

good pony!

he's happy and likes this job and liz thinks this will be soooo good for him posturally. warned me he will get heavy on the forehand for a bit but then it'll revert back. don't panic and don't punish it. 

photos: western lesson and video