More positives

I think we may have stumbled onto something with Toby. Now that the weather has broken, I have been able to go out to the barn more. I was able to ride Toby 4 days this week.

On Tuesday, things went well. We worked on maintaining our rhythm while in a relaxed frame. He leg yielded along the wall in both directions without much trouble. He did, however, start showing that he does not like tracking left. We are working to supple that side. After some additional leg yields, we moved on to tracking straight and lengthening our stride on the long sides and collection in the cornes and along the short side. He willingly moved forward when asked without falling on his forehand. When asked to come back, he also maintained the contact without much fuss.

We moved onto the canter and he was definitely willing to move forward at that point. We did have a little trouble balancing while cantering, but overall not bad and no bucking in the depart. During the canter, my half halts were too strong and Toby broke. He did willing pick the canter up again though and we moved on. We did a decent downward transition to the trot and some nice extensions following. He was really relaxed and willing, so I was thrilled. This was all to the right.

Half circle reverse and now we are going to our bad side. I really hate that we are having so much trouble this direction, but practice makes perfect. Right? LOL.

Tracking left was better this time. We used the whole arena and managed to maintain our balance a little better. Unfortunately, my half halts didn't get much better this way. He tried to accomodate my request but I was too strong and he threw his head and we lost our balance for a few strides. We were able to re-group and end our canter work on a positive. We finished our lesson with a small stretch down circle. Toby was willing to take the contact and stretch a little. A major step for him.