Mom rode me again today but before she did, we did some cookie stretches. I love to do cookie stretches because I get cookies when I do them. They're like a game. Mom holds a cookie and I have to reach for it. She has me reach around to my side, and down to the floor, and way out in front of me, and between my front legs. It's easy and when you do it, you get a cookie!
She did some other stretches with me too but I don't get a cookie for them. She stretched my front legs and my back legs, and she pulled on my tail which feels really good. I lean right into that one - it makes my whole back feel nice. She also does this funny thing where she pokes her fingers in both sides of my butt and it makes me bunch my butt up. It feels okay but it's strange. She does give me another cookie when she finishes all the stretches so I don't mind.
Than she saddled up and we rode. We mostly rode in the Flat Arena today and we did a lot of work at a walk. It was kind of fun though. I don't know if you realize it, but horses can feel every little thing you do in a saddle. We can feel if you're a little off balance, or if you're twisted. We can feel the smallest changes in your seat and we try to figure out what you want by the way you're sitting and moving and holding the reins.
My mom always tries to give me directions with her seat but today I could tell that she was really focusing on it more than usual. For instance, when we were walking along the long side of the arena, I could tell that she was looking straight ahead and thinking about keeping her seat balanced and straight. Sometimes riders think about the turn ahead and they don't realize they're seat moves a little bit. Then the horse has to figure out if they want us to turn or if they're just getting ready. When you're just learning all this stuff like me, it can get confusing sometimes so I think my mom was trying to be really clear for me today.
It was fun. She rode me straight down the side and when she was ready for me to make the turn, she adjusted her seat to move in that direction while she used her legs to tell me to go around the corner. She hardly used the reins at all - just a little bit to help me get my head in the right spot. She also did things like ask me to go across the arena diagonally and she made me go right to a certain spot. I got the idea quickly because I do understand about things like legs and seat - I just don't always pay as much attention as I should. Today, I couldn't ignore it though because it was the only movement she was making.
After a while of doing that, she asked me to trot and we did some trotting exercises. I was glad because even though the other stuff was kind of fun, it gets hard when you're doing it for a long time. It's a lot of thinking and paying attention and I'm not real good at paying attention. I needed to do something else so we had some fun doing some trotting.
I have some trouble trotting sometimes. I don't like it and I get a little cranky about it. Today, Mom asked me to trot and I hesitated so she asked me again and I finally did. She only had me go about half way around the arena then pulled me to a walk for a few strides. Then she asked me to trot again. So I did and again she only had me go a little way then had me walk. The next time she asked me to trot, I popped right into it and when she asked me to walk, I tried to keep going. I mean, do you want me to trot or do you want me to walk? Make up your mind! But she made me walk again and then asked for another trot.
I know what she was doing. She wanted a nice smooth transition into a trot and she was making me do it over and over until I got it right. Once I did, we had a good long trot around and around, with some figure 8's and a little serpentine thrown in. It felt good, I have to admit. I love to canter but there's something about a good spanking trot that gets your blood flowing.
We finished up with a short poop loop. Instead of going the usual way, we went past the Rolling Arena and up a little trail that comes out by the barn I used to live in. It was fun to take a different route for a change and I like going that way because I often see bunnies. I love bunnies. They're cute and small and they look very soft. I want to sniff one but they never stay still long enough for me to get close to them. I didn't see any bunnies today but I did see some squirrels and birds. They're nice too.
It was a good workout. Not enough so that I was tired out but enough so I felt like I was ready to relax. I like those days. And I got a bunch of cookies so that made the whole day better.
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