Pony brat has been severely neglected these past few months. Well, okay, not severely neglected - she's happy as a clam. But she hasn't been worked hardly at all. I went out today assuming we'd be back at square one. It seems we often are after these little sabbaticals we have. But low & behold... she was AMAZING!
Sometimes I wonder if someone trains here when I'm not around.
She is SO smart. She has had minimal training with outside trainers (though what she has had has been GREAT!) but she is like a sponge! She absorbs and retains EVERYTHING, no matter how long she goes without being ridden.
I was thinking today - she really has had VERY little saddle time, even though I've owned her going on two years now. MAYBE 30 rides total... maybe? I was so thrilled with her today. Lunged her a bit - only tried to change direction twice, but I got her back on track. She stopped, turned, circled, moved off only leg pressure all at a walk... and (wait for it...) a trot! Holy crap my horse can trot without being beaten. Okay...I don't really BEAT her. But usually it takes a lot (and I do mean a LOT) of coaxing to get a trot out of her! Nope, a little click and squeeze and she was off!
We had tons of fun figure eighting through the trees! I think she'd make a neat little barrel horse (if I knew the first thing about barrel racing... or any disciple, really) She turned so quick around the trees and did an awesome job steering through them.
I'm going out again tomorrow (presuming I can walk, my legs are already SOOOORE!) so hopefully she will be even better. I REALLY want to try to get her to pick up a canter. I'm an so weenie about it. I bet she could handle it - it's ME I'm scared of! But with as great as she did today, I think she's ready for another new challenge. We'll see.
My resolution this year is to spend MORE time in the saddle, and less time making excuses for why I can't. :)
