Things have started to bubble around LDA as April roars in. April is a very busy month and this is the calm before the storm, after this I won't have a relaxing weekend until May as I will either have people in (the in-laws), I will be out of town or SO will be out of town. Hoping I stay sane but there aren't any guarantees! Anyway, I rode Kota last night and am pretty impressed with the results. I did about 5 mins of groundwork after saddling him and was able to get on and pick up the reins before he moved. I got off, moved him back and did it again and he stood stock still. Progress indeed and it makes me very happy.
Due to being in a rush I had forgotten to change boots and so I was riding without spurs. I almost went back into the barn to get them but figured why not, I should see what I have first. We walked around and did some basic bending and I am thrilled that Kota is "getting it". Of the entire ride he stiffened and blew through my inside leg only about a dozen times, big improvement! He is getting better at bending and I was able to get him to move shoulders-in both directions a few times. He is also starting to understand the turn on the haunches better and will do it correctly for a couple of steps about 75% of the time.
We did a lot of trotting this ride, a first for us. I worked really hard on getting him to trot at a medium pace, without him changing pace even when I am not touching his face. It is going to take some time but I think I can get it by the end of the 30 days. We worked a little on bending at the trot and were able to get a 20m circle at the trot without him locking his shoulder, another big accomplishment for him.
Overall things went very well. I am happy with his progress and am optimistic on what we will be able to accomplish. Today is a day off and then will ride on Wednesday and Friday and probably the weekend too. At some point he needs to go on a lunge so we can try that canter again too. Anyone have some time I can borrow?
LOL! Yeah our Turkey tom is very talkative. It can get annoying sometimes, but I didn't even notice until I started watching the video. I guess you just get used to it. :D I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
ReplyDeleteI wish I did lol, but I never can find the time to get everything done either. It sounds like he's definitely making progress. He seems like the type of horse who likes to put up a fight, but once he gives up on fighting it sounds like he's the type to be pretty accepting.
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