alone in the mist

After three weeks since our last jump lesson, it was definitely time to make it back to OF for another go. Everything kinda seemed like it would go a little sideways tho. It has just been SO WET here, that Charlie had grown a little foot sore earlier in the week. Or maybe he just whacked himself on something. Idk. He's kinda a delicate flower like that.

do 'charlie at the trailer' pics ever get old? bc sometimes that's all i get from a ride lol

So I revisited my religious keratex treatments that had fallen a bit by the wayside lately, and made some thrush buster treatments happen too. Just in case, ya know? Charles got a day off riding, with just a little ground work the evening prior. And then, not really knowing how Charlie would be feeling, I loaded him up to hit the road for our lesson.

FINALLY got around to replacing the gullet plate in the bates. had bought the narrower plates ages ago but only just made the switch. so far trainer P and i are pleased with the change.

I figured the worst case scenario would be that if Charlie still felt sore, we would just bop around while everyone else rode. Or maybe wander around the grounds. Even tho I'm obviously trying to accomplish some degree of progress towards our goals of being a competition pair.... it still seems beneficial to just go through the motions sometimes too.

Meaning - even if we didn't do anything serious in the lesson, Charlie would still gain from the exposure and experience. Small steps and such.

looking back at the trailer from the lesson shed. this spot is central hive of activity at OF and is typically crawling with ponies and people. charlie's always staring at it while tied at the trailer across the field. so finally he got to actually go and explore the area for himself!

That plan got a little blown up when trainer P announced that everyone else had canceled, so it was just me. To which, naturally, I blurted out "But my horse is probably lame!!" haha.... sigh. We decided to head up anyway just to see how he was. Nbd one way or another.

And honestly, given that I don't board where my trainers are, lessons are my only chance to check in with them about all things Charlie - updating on everything under the sun that's going on with him. His diet, his turnout, his shoes. Trends under saddle, little odds and ends here and there. Just the small stuff that typically comes up among friends and advisers in passing, but that I have to save up for lengthier recountings when I finally get to see my trainers.

Trainer P is just so fantastic for long, thoughtful and wide-ranging discussions on horse care. She has seen it all, done all kinds of things with all kinds of horses. From Shetland racing ponies to timber horses. She always has ideas, useful anecdotes and helpful hints for helping horses thrive - while also staying realistic about what it means to be a horse with a job.

the weather was weird, yo. and did i mention it's been wet? charlie hardly noticed tho, i guess hacking out in rainy and muddy conditions has helped make him indifferent to nastier conditions

And actually, we got so carried away with just talking and talking that by the time she had me pick Charlie up in the walk and start being more purposeful with contact and his stride and activity and whatnot before we picked up the trot, I had completely forgotten that he might be lame lol.

So we were just trotting around, doing lesson things, when P asked how he felt. I had to laugh a little bit that I had already forgotten, but I guess that was a good sign. Charlie felt fine. Felt ready to go! And so we lessoned for real. Yay!

brave pony cared not a whit that he was hacking solo to and from the arena, where he was also alone

Mostly we just worked on connection at the trot. Wherein I didn't spend too much time worrying about the fact that Charlie is basically always falling left, no matter what. That damn shoulder. It's like a one-ton weight pulling Charlie down down down to earth haha.

But anyway we kinda just ignored that. Focused on riding the horse evenly from both hind legs into both reins. Encouraging that inside hind to come up and under, and maintaining some activity with the inside rein, while my inside leg pushed him into the outside rein.

the longer hairs on his face were coated with mist and the tiniest water droplets after we finished. ethereal!

Just basic stuff, obvi. But trainer P's instruction just felt really effective (privates with her are a nice change of pace! since we warm ourselves up in group lessons). She identified that we've officially achieved 'forward' -- and maybe taken it too far where now I'm running him a bit off his feet. So gotta balance him with my body, and keep him busy. Put a little more pressure on him, don't let myself get static and stagnant. Keep talking. Keep his attention.

But also be quicker to soften and follow when he gives. That was actually the coolest part of the lesson. And it's maybe been something lacking in my riding lately. That feeling of "pushing the contact forward." It's obviously not news to me or anyone else reading, probably. But I guess after feeling like Charlie was pulling me down out of the saddle for so long, I sorta developed an "end" to where my contact could go. Remembering to follow really helped!

this maybe my new favorite picture format. 'charles through the trailer doors' lol

We sought to address the canter through jumping. Letting it kinda develop as we went, since it continues to be a bit of a sticking point. And just worked on trotting into little 18' one stride grids. Again and again. Trying to encourage Charlie to land cantering.

He got the idea after the out jump, even finding both leads himself - good boy!! But we were not super duper successful in getting a canter stride in between the two jumps of the grids. His last time through he kiiiiiiinda got it. Like, definitely pretty close. So we called it good, lots of praise and what not for being the most cleverest of all ottbs.
 

such weird weather tho. like. it's january, what gives?

All in all, I was very pleased with how his flat work felt - especially after we started trotting the poles and fences, Charlie really felt the most connected over his back that he ever has. I mean. Obvi still work to be done there - but he just felt super steady and consistent. The jumping will come eventually haha (I hope!).

I was also pleased with his nonchalance at the sloppy wet footing. Tho, truth be told, I've been riding at OF for a couple years now and that outdoor arena is my favorite arena of all time. The footing is just simple sand, but it holds up unbelievably well in all weather. So long as it's not frozen, it's basically rideable. And Charlie seemed to agree - he was very happy to be outside!

It may have been nothing groundbreaking as far as lessons go, but it doesn't have to be at this point, at least not for me. We may not end up ready for a CT this spring, let alone a full three phase.... but that's ok too. I'm pretty satisfied with the pace of our progress and am enjoying our rides. Just needs more lessons!!!

Who knows tho. Maybe spring fever will kick in early with all this mild weather and I'll suddenly find myself impatient to get out and do more advanced stuff haha. We'll see, I guess! Do you find yourself influenced by the weather in that sense? Like it's easy to be laid back and relaxed in the winter, but once spring comes you want to be doing all the things?