First, I brought Rose in to the big arena with a halter and lead on. I brought a little treat bag and a dressage whip. I was going to try something a bit different that our normal liberty sessions - kind of a step up. The big arena doesn't have actual fences, just ropes strung between wooden posts surrounding it. So I knew that "fence" would deter Rose, but she could easily get past it if she wanted to. The exercise today was more about me trusting Rose to come when I called her, and less about her learning to come when I called. She already knew how to do that.
So we started with the lead rope clipped on. We practiced lunging circles and changing direction, and also bending so that she always kept her head inclined towards me. It'll take her awhile before she really understands that cue, but we've got all the time in the world, right? I'll be practicing a lot more at liberty during the summer when they live in our back yard! So excited!
But I'm getting off topic.
So after practicing changing direction on the lunge using body language and trying to keep the lunge line loose, I decided to take it off completely. I was ready for Rose to just walk off when I asked her to yield her hindquarters and turn in to face me, but to my happy surprise, she stayed with me, making nice circles around me and drawing in towards me when I asked her to. Progress every day!
Then I put Rose in her stall so she could eat her dinner (it was around 5:30pm by now) and I went out to the field to get Blondie.
Blondie and I had a lovely bareback ride! I enjoy riding her so much because even though I hardly ever ride B anymore, whenever I do get the chance it's like we've been riding together every day. It's the same feeling as two summers ago when we were a competing team practicing six days a week. Blondie really has taught me everything I know about riding. My love for her is unmeasurable <3
After putting Blondie in her stall, Rose was nudging me and seeming to think we weren't done yet. So I decided to bring her back out. And for some reason, I felt like today was a good day to put a bridle on her. Remember, she hasn't had a bit in her mouth for almost three months so this was an interesting decision on my part. It just felt right.
Rose accepted the bit in her mouth with no problems, and after putting the bareback pad on we headed out to the arena for the second time that evening.
We spent the first ten minutes just walking around the perimeter of the arena, me keeping a steady contact on Rose's mouth while Rose re-introduced herself to the bit. She seemed kind of excited.
After I felt she was really okay with the bit, I asked for a little trot. She was quite fast and powerful at first but soon settled right into it. She was so consistent with her head carriage and movement, so even and powerful. I loved it.
Though it could've ended badly, I'm glad I decided to try the bridle again. If you remember, Rose had a very negative relationship with the bit three months ago, and that's why I stopped using one. But if I'm really careful with how I re-introduce it to her, I think she'll be really content going in the bridle and learn to balance and trust herself more. She needed the break though, and now she's treating the bridle as an interesting new thing instead of something she wants to fight with.
Yet another perfect day with my girls <3
Also here's some photos from our ride a few days ago since I didn't get any from today: