Now that the horses are covered with their winter woolies, after we get done working in the arena I have to take them for long walks in the back forty so that they can cool out and dry off completely before I put them away. Atlantis's first ride to the back was a combination of exciting and boring. We began by riding over to the fence line that we share with our neighbors' llamas. He was concerned about them, the suspicious noodle-necks. Miles and Forrest went along the fence to show him that it wasn't a big deal, but the rustling of tall dry grass didn't do much to assuage his fears. He spooked a couple times, so we just walked back and forth until it wasn't a big deal anymore.
Once he had gotten over the llama drama we headed out to the back. As usual Miles was leading the way. When we got to the top of the hill Forrest caught up with us from behind, which startled Atlantis and I got another spook out of him. As soon as he realized it was his friend the dog he sheepishly went back to walking on a loose rein for the rest of our ride.
Saxon has had some lovely rides in the arena, and has also taken some long walks in the back forty to cool out. Most recently we have been working on getting him softer and rounder through his topline, and asking him to take some contact with the bit. He does this most easily when we come down from a canter into the trot. It's a striking gait change, and he flows forward lightly and in a very round frame. With a little bit of cheering and praise from me and he will sustain the posture as long as he can, and his core muscling will develop better the more we do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOD4bnMRzi4
One of the rides in the front field before a big storm moved in gave me these dramatic shots of the sky and impending weather.
No comments:
Post a Comment