Back in the swing of things

I was able to get out to the barn again on Thursday to ride.  Otter’s leg looked much better than it had on Tuesday, which I was relieved about.  I ended up grooming and tacking up in his stall because of the camp kids getting ready and running around the rest of the barn.  I then headed outside to get away from the crowd in the indoor.

I’m really glad that I stuck around and watched some of the lessons on Tuesday, because it reminded me what some of my positional issues are when riding, and how I *should* be riding and how Otter needs to be responsible for himself at times.   Our last couple of dressage rides have been okay – but definitely not what they should be.  I went into this ride wanting to get a 100% out of me and Otter, and not end it feeling like we just weren’t connecting as in our past few rides. 

So with that in mind, from the beginning, I asked him to be more supple (without playing with my hands too much – using more of my seat and legs to ask him to bend his body) and more forward.  He resisted a bit in the beginning, but then relaxed into a nice walk.  We did the same at the trot and canter.  In the end, we had a much better ride than we have had – He was forward and bendy.  Could have been a bit more relaxed, but maybe next time. 

Cooled him out, cleaned my tack and hung out with the campers for a bit before I had to leave to get my hair cut.  I loved my long hair, but it is way too hot and humid to be dealing with all of that down here.  So now I have a short-ish do. 

Had to work all this weekend, but I’ll be back out at the barn again tomorrow!