Walking

That's what we did Tuesday; we walked the hills. That's all. She was hot when we came back.

But here is what I'm thinking. Due to circumstances, I didn't ride today so I thought about it. A lot. I mean, it isn't like I don't do that anyway. But I don't think we can use the "better shape physically" mantra anymore. We've simply got to improve, do the work, and that means primarily arena work. I need to quit playing and see how much improvement I can get in the next month.

I think this is what I want: clean canter transitions; a decent stretchy circle; and to get that free walk better. Now, I should be able to get clean canter transitions . . . if I can. What I mean is, that is a matter of training and riding. The stretchy circle is more iffy because I'm more iffy on it so I just have to try and get her to try, and so what if it isn't perfect but to be better. And the walk, in some ways I can't do much about how she walks, but then again, when I first get on her, she has the best walk so I just have to figure out how to get that walk in the middle of working her instead of just after I get on in warm up. It isn't going to be an 8 walk, but it can be better than it has been in tests.

Of course, we've also got to work on that change of bend thing. And lots of shoulder fore in everything. And in front of let canter (and trot and walk).

I need to incorporate at least two different canter sessions into the workout, probably something like walk-trot-canter-trot-walk-trot-canter-trot-walk. I also need to think, constantly, half halt half halt ask.

So those are things I was thinking about today.