As usual, life has been getting in the way of my own riding time. Other than getting on for a few minutes bareback here and there and one particularly disappointing work session (that I neglected to blog), Ozzy has not been getting much work. This is due to an over saturated arena (that has just now completely dried out) and my lesson client schedule has nearly doubled since warmer weather has hit. Most of my time outside of my full-time job has been spent giving lessons, at the gym, or completing necessary tasks around the house/farm.
I decided to ride Ozzy yesterday during a break between lessons. I had one of my students there who was doing some "work-to-ride" time, so she was able to groom and help me tack him up quickly. Since he has had such a break from any real work, I was really not expecting much. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
I was anticipating his bracing to the left would be very strong, so I started out his work with lots of leg yielding and stretching. Stretching and bending was definitely easier for him tracking right, but left got better as we went. As we moved in to trot/jog warm up, we work a 20 meter figure eight pattern and turn on the haunches to trot transitions. This significantly helped him supple up the base of his neck and shoulder. Turning left on the haunches is significantly "stickier" than right turn. We also add a few canter/lope transitions in. Right lead lope was much more balanced than left lead and his stride needs lightening on the forehand both directions. His departs were fairly crisp and prompt. I also should add that after canter work, he was much more free in the shoulder, easier to stretch, and elastic. We will be adding this in earlier in our work from now on! I was pleased with his workman like attitude, the amount of stretch we achieved, and my ability to keep his left jaw soft. Good ride overall!
Goals for next ride: Stretching, lateral movement off leg, add canter/lope in earlier, continue suppling to left.
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