Tuesday, May 12, 2009

We had our Cleon lesson yesterday. Little bit of frustration due to Josie being mareish during our indoor part of the ride. I was under the impression we would have the arena to ourselves but that wasn't the case. She also gave me a huge scare when she favored her front right at the trot. Flashes of PJ flew through my mind. I was hoping she picked up a rock on the way to the barn but Cleon checked and it was clean as a whistle. She did warm up out of it. I did remember seeing her do some evasive maneuvers around the feeder. Maybe she strained something. I couldn't feel anything but that doesn't mean much.

Since she wasn't listening to me very well, and I was getting a little peeved at the other riders, I asked if we could move outside. I could have possibly been facing a worse evil but she was very good. There was a huge truck with a tree planting device - you know the big claw thingy. The farmer next door was working the field above us. I think Josie likes big machinery and is very curious about it. She didn't mind at all.

Cleon wants us to do several circles as we go around the arena. I am to use my body position more and less rein. Also, practice turn on the forehand which I have been doing to get a better response to my aids. We did a leg yield facing the fence at an angle. It took me being all contorted to do it at first. We leg yield, small circle and leg yield back along the fence. As always with horses, one way was much easier than the other. After a schooling both sides we are to trot across the arena like snakes are after us. That was a lot of fun. After a few days of doing this I am to move away from the fence and see how she does.

Sunday, I rode Josie in the updoor before she was turned out to pasture and it was horrible. All she could think of was grass! I made a few points, rode her back and put her out. The others had just been released. She did not want to stand for unsaddling - well so sorry Missy! You will stand still. After she had her dinner and some hay, we all went on a trail ride. Boy did I need that. The woods are greening up nicely.

Preggers Pixie was slow going. Wyatt is quite the trail pup now.

Here is a picture of my girls:



Last night I was planning to ride outside but the winds were just crazy! I rode her from the red barn to the arena barn with no incident. Managed to get inside without the door slamming on us. We practice our leg yield and circles. Me trying to use my outside rein. I must have been putting my leg too far back as when yielding to the left she tried to take off in canter a few times. We got it though. She is stepping very nicely and I am not soooo contorted. I was very pleased with our ride.

Most excited for our next ride!