Sunday September 23, 2007

Got out to the barn at around 3:00 p.m. Josie walked a few steps towards me today when I went to catch her. Even lifted her head when I called. She now gets to be out without a halter on. She has a bit of a sore on her nose from halter tag.

I decided to ride in the indoor arena. It was pretty warm. Darn that girl, she would not do turn on the forehand. I even dismounted and press her over a few times, climbed back up and tried again. She does have a bit of a cough right now. More than she did on Friday. After about 4 good hacks she could keep going. We rode in her dressage bridle and I am making more contact with her mouth.

I am getting the ride lead on the first try. She got a little rushy at the trot after. I gave up on turn on the forehand. The weird thing is she will leg yield - hmmmm. She is trying to flex when I asked for the turn on the forehand. Need to look at my aids and do ground work.

I decided to take her down the trail. First, I was just going to the water, cross and come back but it was so nice. She is very interested in waves and the fish jumping. We took Heather's Hellacious Hill. Josie did very well, didn't even need to break into a trot to do it. I didn't stay out too long and then we wandered back. She was sweaty on her back but I didn't want to hose her off with that cough. I would love to give her a bath as she is just a tad stinky.