Ride Five

4/19/2010.  I went away to DC for the weekend, so everyone had three days off!  Dart has a bit of a snotty nose, but he is the only one so far.

May was standing in the tack room area when I got ready to ride today.  Not because she was expecially eager, but because she apparently (or some one else) broke in, and was then trapped by the ever friendly (not...) Penny, who is determined NOT to descend from Princess #2 to Princess #3.  (Risa is Princess #1, Cometa is currently King, and Dart is a knave on the lowest level).

Hair hair everywhere: I brushed everyone and all were flinging hair left and right.  Horsehair mattress anyone?  May has a fine glossy red coat coming out.  Saddled her up and tied her to a tree while I inhaled everyone else's hair and tied them all up in vaious locations.  Bridled her too.

Rode with the bridle and reins today: I did just a little ground work and then clipped on some reins and got on.  May had no ring-side spectators today because everyone was having patience training tied to some tree or hitching rail.  She was very calm.  The baggie was no biggie, the tarp was cool, too. Mounted up and there was no wiggling, so, using the reins, we did some lateral flexion, and then rode off.  Had a few words about what the bit/rein combo was for, but steady pressure followed by quick release of pressure convinced May to follow the bit.  Worked on walking, stopping, trotting, stopping, move hip, sideways and turning.  Sideways was better today, but going left is not her favorite. Trot is choppy. Stopping is nt all that direct--it may involve stopping and then drfiting off to one side or the other, or backwards a bit.

Left the round pen, steering optional. When her steering seemed decent, I opened the gate (without dismounting) and rode out.  Steering became somewhat optional in May's mind, so we spend a little time with the reins and legs keeping her under me and moving in the direction I suggested.  Went over telephone poles and after 5 minutes, I dismounted, unsaddled and tied her to the tree again while I rode Dart and Penny. Nice progress today.