Lesson 6-22-11 Wednesday

Off night for sure.  I started lunging Meika without a lead rope which we had done before with good results.  Not tonight.  She was plugish and slow and didn't want to draw in.  She did it once and then was non compliant after that.  I put the lead rope on her twice after that.  She knows this, I know this but for some reason not tonight.

I did saddle and bridal her on my own tonight so this was a first!  The cinch was alittle loose but other than that I did it right.  Yeah me!

Fred lunged Serenity for a bit then mounted her.  He was tense for whatever reason.  At the same time Meika was giving me hell.  She knows the rails around the pen but tonight decided she didn't want to walk the rail.  I kept having to make her get closer to the rail which made me frustrated at me and her.  I don't think Fred or I were in the right mind set tonight.  More lunging, more training and more patience is in order....next time.

Sorry Amy.  We'll do better next time.  Promise.

4-20-2011 Trot a Lot

2nd lesson of the year went well.  Started off doing lunges, stopping and switching direction.  I did the switch twice but on the 3rd time she didn't want to do it.  Stubborn mare she is.  She finally did it.  Amy brought a couple of trainee/students with her so after our time training she had them work with Jadie in the round pen.  I was still riding Meika riding around our property.  I know it sounds trivial but for some reason I was afraid to ride her anywhere other than the round pen area.  So tonight was a first.

I had told Amy that I didn't want to trot her in the round pen.  There were a couple of really muddy spots for all the rain from the night before.  She laughed and said fine.

When I was riding her around the area I got her to trot and I loved it!  So much so, we did it several times.  I walked her over to the driveway, around the bradford pear and into a trot we would go.  Meika has the nicest trot.  It's not choppy at all.  It's a nice, relaxing trot like she's just taking her time and strolling along.  All I know is it sure feels great on one's behind....well that, and the padded saddle I have!

Now I can't wait until the next lesson.