Progress!

 Lots of goodness today! Thank you God!

 
This afternoon I went out and grabbed Lyric. The rest of the gang followed us down to the barn and so Lyric was super chill in the cross ties. I even left her while I went inside to grab my phone and use the restroom! I put the fluffy half pad on her today instead of the one with the front end shims. I figured we'd see what she liked better. I think she liked this one better. But I also think I'm going to try my dressage saddle on her next ride. The jump one seems to fit too far forward on her and I'm worried it's jamming into her shoulder blades. I can't quite get it to set farther back. Hopefully those withers will pop up soon so I don't need a crupper! ;) 

We walked up to the arena and bless Dan.. he came with us. And then so did Funny and Fleck. Dan and Funny hung out at the gate for most of the ride. Such good heathens. We did a tiny bit of pillar work, but it was starting to drizzle heavily and my saddle was getting soaked. And she was doing well, so we made sure we had it and then I got on. 

She was great today! MUCH much softer and more relaxed in her neck and back. And even a little bit responsive to the rein aids! Like... when I asked, she would soften her neck and give me a baby version of pillar 1. Which, seems small, but it's huge. Because previously she would just hang/brace/pull. I also got a response when I asked lightly on one side and closed my leg... she would bend/turn. Yay! It's not consistent, but it's so much better than even the last ride. She also feels much more balanced. She definitely is much more tilted and leans tracking left. But you can almost feel her whole balance shift when she straightens herself back up and relaxes. It was pretty cool. 

We also got both our leads today! Granted, we had to run into the canter both ways and we fell out of it, but... we at least got the right going right and the left going left. I do think she's more uphill in the canter than the trot. She's definitely on her forehand at the trot, but... another reason while I will try the dressage saddle. I'm tipping too I think. 

And...there was a tiny puddle in the arena and she walked through it, sniffed it, and then didn't pay it anymore attention. Good girl!

Walking with a soft neck

Ride Number 4  

Right Lead Canter

Left lead Canter

So yeah... Exciting day today. :) Oh, and... despite it being warm enough for Funny to roll in the lake earlier today and for me to ride in a t-shirt... and then get sweaty riding in the sweatshirt.. the temps are dropping into the low 30's tonight, so... Lyric got to wear the plaid blanket with a neck. And it fits her great. Which is awesome, because it does not fit Dan so well. Yay!


















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