23rd Dec

After some procrastination, I got on with it, and what a great session, amazing how these little changes start adding up!

Spent some time working on getting one foot to move at a time from a fair distance away doing as little as possible, all checked out pretty well, I am definitely getting a bit clearer in my communication now and she is more attentive

Sent her back to check out our circling game, and she was anticipating, so played with some yo-yos for a bit to settle her, even then, when I sent her, she bounced on the spot a few times, and switched really quickly between left and right and then eventually went left as I asked

Did some nice trots to start, then asked for a canter and stopped her a couple of times after just a few strides and before she decided to stop; the transitions were much smoother and quicker than they have been, asked her again, she stayed in canter, and then almost right on a full circle she bucked about 7 or 8 times but stayed in the canter and then carried on, so I stopped her, brought her in and gave her a long dwell time. Sent her out again and she did 2 full circles not a buck in sight and I managed to disengage just in time as could see her thinking about dropping to a trot. This is a massive improvement, not sure we have ever had two full circles on the 22ft without bucking, snorting and general signs of not wanting to do it!!

So called it a day there and popped on to ride, she was most happy to have the bit in, another big improvement, I am still leaving the halter on for times when we have a "discussion" so I can stay out of her mouth, all was good, much softer through the neck and body, and then there it was that determined drifting left again and we both got really bracey, so rather than fighting, got to a standstill in the middle and went back to flexing and small disengagements, I think one of the problems here is that our disengage on the right side is really quite sticky, so slowed it all up and tried to get this better before walking a bit again on a nice soft contact which she was happy with

All in all, a fab session and feeling pretty positive that we are making good progress; the traditional riding lessons over the past couple of months have done wonders for my confidence and really help me to stay focused and not get frustrated with her!!

22nd dec

What with shopping and everything, a 2 day break, today getting her back in after turn out, she was once again being pretty puhsy, amazing what a difference just 2 days makes; seems she is always testing our herd positions, no doubt she always will!!

20th Dec

Another good day, but writing this after the event!!

19th Dec

Finally managing some consistency, 3 days on the trot!

Got a full circle on canter right, she dropped to trot, but went back into canter, and a half circle left which is the tricky side; left it there

Tried her in her the bit she came in today, the big chunky french link with full cheeks, she actually seemed to much prefer this than the thinner french link, I suppose being pretty heavy set, it just sits better in her mouth, don't like the full cheeks tho

Today Giddy did that funny thing, dropping her shoulder and drifting left, so tried something new, and when she did this, asked her sideways from this position and kept her going, after doing this a couple of times, she got really soft in the neck; very interesting; I suppose it's that thing of make it her idea, so by taking her position and saying, oh you want to go sideways instead of that's not what I want seemed to really work

All in all, another good day!

18th Dec

A much better day!

The canter transisitions are the only thing we struggle with on the new L2 assessment, but I am always careful not to drill these; I have decided I want to submit my whole l2 on the new basis even tho we passed the old groundwork

Anyway, today, we had not a single buck, and Giddy did 3/4 of a circle and didn't drop to trot / stop, so I asked her down before she finished a circle, and she stayed in trot rather than coming to a stop out on the circle, so that's a big improvement

She was much softer today, and when I brought them in for the night, she walked up at a respectful distance rather than being on top of me all the way!!

Rode for 20mins, all ok, no eating, and she seemed to be listening, the slowest walk in the world, but in fairness the ground is horrible, would be better to hack out, but want to do a week of short rides to build up at least a bit of fitness before taking her out so it's not such a strain for her; I have made this mistake in past, and I think is part of the reason she doesn't want to go out as she knows those hills are gonna be hard work!!

17th Dec

Well, 6 weeks of not doing anything due to horrendous weather and a punishing work schedule has left me with a much lower position in the herd!!

Getting Guiditta in and out of the field has been a challenge, she has several times nearly knocked me over, and respect for my space has diminished

So, played on the 22ft today, bring on the bucking!!! She was keen to play, but extremely exuberant and wanting to play on her terms, so just tried to give her lots of room and let her run it out, certainly had no probs getting a canter today, was more a case of her offering a gallop ;0)

Once she had enough of bucking and snorting, she took off, 22ft line dragging between her legs and galloped off tail in the air; once I caught her, we managed some play with a bit more of a connection

It is good to give her a break now and again, but 6 weeks is too long, she gets so strong and dominant. Popped on and did some flexions, and then once again the rain came, so left it at that

MUST get back to a consistent routine!!