Fun Day back to work

 Maybe a little TOOOO much fun. ;) 

Lyric's had a few days off... I think it's been at least since Tuesday since I worked her because I worked Wed and Thurs, ran out of time Fri, was gone for the weekend, and worked yesterday... So whoops! And ugh.. this morning when I went out to grab Funny for our ride... she was doing it again. Sigh...

I came home around 5 pm from my neuro appt today and headed out to the pasture armed with stuff to do some work. I caught her and we headed to the arena. I took her blanket off and put the figure 8 polo wrap on and we did a short lap and then I did her scapula stretches. Then we marched around the arena at the walk, nice and forward, with a slight right shift in her neck to help her balance and stay straight. We went both directions. Then I played with leg yielding down the long side both ways and she did great. We did turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches. And then we backed up. She's getting really good at backing! Then we did the serpentine at the walk - just serpentining on flat ground... I didn't have any poles set up today. And then we did some cookie stretches. So then... I tied her to the fence and grabbed Dan. Who was conveniently right there. I put the bareback pad and halter and reins on him and took them both outside of the arena. 

 

I got on Dan and started to pony Lyric in the pasture. My plan was to do some long trotting to help her build some strength and fitness on straight lines instead of the endless lunging. Funny came up and started instigating things. We were doing okay at the walk but then I asked for the trot and it all fell apart! I tried a few times and we managed a tiny bit but... it was not going to end well. As it was, I almost came off once, Dan kept trying to put his head down and buck or kick, and Lyric reared straight up a time or two, Funny came flying in with drive by canters and bucks, and then Jean's horses weren't helping either. And I did have to let go of Lyric once when she reared. Luckily I was able to walk right back up to her and catch her without getting off but still. Jeeesh! I may not be the smartest one out there, but I did admit defeat after a few attempts and got off. I was annoyed. But then I decided well.. we'll just have to do boring trot sets in the arena. Since you guys can't cooperate to do fun things. It does really suck I can't take them both to Ashland anymore to pony. But oh well. It is what it is. 

So we headed back to the arena and I got back on. Funny cantered off but then stood quietly and the hooligans settled down and there weren't anymore shenanigans. Other than mildly face making. We trotted around the arena quite a few times and even did some diagonal changes. Lyric was good and she looked fairly forward and happy. She looked more interested than she does when we lunge. More animated in her gaits and her expression. Awwww yay! (I think... maybe sadness that she doesn't like groundwork with me). She did soften her neck and topline a good bit of the time too. Although admittedly she was also a bit too high in her carriage for some of it. But we finished on a good note and she even got a little stretchy!

 

I did some more cookie stretches with her and then while they were standing for a photo op, Dan got mad and kicked her in the hock. Luckily he just grazed her and rubbed some hair off, but come on man! 

 

So... overall, a successful day. At least I got them both worked. Now I'll have to figure out how to alternate ponying her some days so that they can both get fitter!