On line and mounted, inside.
Was a wonderful play time today; meditative. I drove out without a plan and very RBI because of mom leaving after two week visit, and death of colleague's infant daughter. Felt drained, lacked motivation. Arrived with the air very heavy, Z in heat and zoned out but relaxed. Took advantage of having indoor to self and decided to play on-line, then saddle her in the arena, and play over obstacle and canter mounted.
Set up two ground poles as cross rail on bottom of standard cross board. This meant no height in middle, but two rails to go over, and height at ends. Set up two cones parallel to cross rail. When Z came in the arena she went right over to the ground rail, with curiosity not worry. I walked over it, she hesitated, but came when I pulled lightly on line. Repeated a number of times in both directions.
Played circle game, very calm INCLUDING at CANTER BOTH DIRECTIONS! I only cantered her 2 circles each way, to not ruin it. She picked up the canters immediately. Trotting and cantering to left I kept talking to her and moving so she'd keep me in sight. Going to right she's doing a lot more turning of her head toward the wall as if to see. Don't know if this is a sign of increased vision loss, or if she's just trying to figure things out. Will keep my eye on it.
Spooked when I dropped saddle fender over her left side (with me on right) so played friendly game with fenders and girth.
Mounted from off side using mounting block. No problem. Relaxed and set off.
Very relaxed at walk, including going over cross rail and small circles around cones. Worked on sidepass - keeping my focus up and in direction going, toes out. Very Good! Also, when Z hesitated at crosspole I remembered to put my focus back up and yes she did in fact then go over!
Free style trot was good, not much running, and staying off forehand. I worked on focus, keeping eyes and body in direction going and this helped a lot (also did this at walk, and it was very good). Trotted over cross poles, relaxed (I stayed back) but knocks them. I need to remember to immediately halt after trotting over, to have Z relax.
Trotted on the bit. I forget to maintain focus, keep dropping my head down. My position is a lot better. Worked at using suspension rein when Z raises head. Works well. Took a while to come onto bit, but when she did her back felt strong, and good impulsion. Only worked for awhile on bit.
Canter, very good transition and maintaining gait to left. Difficult transition to right (until I SAT BACK), but canter in this direction feels less smooth, as if hard work for Z. Only cantered a couple circles each direction.
Halted and did nothing often, as reward for Z. She likes this. She also likes not being drilled, but doing things a couple times, then changing to something else. This keeps it fun and interesting for both of us, and my body does not get as tense. It probably keeps her body relaxed as well.
Dismounted on off side, but had trouble getting my foot out of stirrup so came down with a bang, which scared Z! Have to practice going up and down while mounting from off side to get her calm again. But good for me for having the confidence to try this!
I untacked Z in arena and she had a good roll. A very happy calm ride, horse and rider. Beautiful day.
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