Good Ride and good uber

 Today was a long day! I got up and went and shockwaved one horse down the road. Then I helped the plumber up by the arena and yay, now I have functional spigots so hopefully I can figure out how to water the arena. Then I ran to the tractor place to see if they could help me fix the broken part. Then I made it home in time for the farrier,  who was early (but thank goodness he was). Then I made a sandwich and headed out to Ashland. Except we had to stop for gas. I decided to take Lyric because I was going to meet Kelli and I figured she would be easier to ride and not feel pressure and potentially make me "emotional". And it was a good choice.

 

We tacked up and headed to the arena because we didn't have much time. Kelli had to go, it was already 3 pm, and plus, they were closing the arena's at 4 pm to prep for the show. So we headed to the arenas and rode. We did a nice long walk warmup and then I put her to work. We did our homework from our lesson with Jacel and I made sure to keep my hands higher (not low and broken at the wrist like LIz called me out on). I kept my whip in the left hand to help proprioceptively remind her haunches to not fall left. I rode her barrel up with my thigh and core and legs. I tried to ride to encourage her to left her left front instead of dumping on it. And we did our strengthening work. We did ten meter circles, transitions within the gait and between gaits, shoulder in and leg yields. And she was pretty darn good! She's still not quite through and round, but she was  better in her body. Her head and neck will come. And sure enough, even by the last part of our ride, she was much softer and correct. She's still stiffer going to the left and still struggles with shoulder in right. And she was still a bit strung out at times, but... she was also better in her canter and more controlled. She was making improvements in the lateral work and we even played with counter canter shallow serpentines! Wheee! 

She lost her hind end 3 or 4 times... but only badly once, and even then it wasn't as bad as some other times before. She didn't fall on her face either today!! :) She felt pretty good really.. not neurologic today. Today felt more like sticky stifles. 

 

We finished on a good note and she was puffing a little. It was extra hot again and she did some hard work today. We hung out and talked with Kelli for a few and then watched her do another minute or two of work and then talked some more. And then Kelli had to leave and I went for a hack. We headed to the cross country field and I realized that Caroline had already set the course up and flagged it. Ooooh... okay Lyric, you get to be my uber and help me "walk" the course! It was a good thing she was in her dressage saddle because I was so tempted to pop her over some of the smaller things. So we walked and trotted the course. It was twisty! But looks fun. Then we walked into the water complex and up the bank out. And then we went back to the woods and walked back home in the woods. It was a short trail ride but... I had to get home to ride Funny too. 

 

Overall.. pretty decent ride. She was trying hard and didn't seem quite as fussy. I occasionally felt like she was lame but... it was so inconsistent and felt more like rein lameness. But... ??? Guess we'll keep working and strengthening and see what happens at our October vet visit. 

 

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