Outdoor Ring Round 2

Charlie was a good boy again during his first solo endeavor in the outdoor ring, and it was gorgeous weather to boot. I left the barn a happy girl. Here are some pictures and video (thanks Dan!):

So far so good

With some finagling and tying down I was able to rework the ear net and get it to stay

A happy canter...I think he thought we were going to be jumping

He has a super comfy long stride

:)

Good boy!

Here are two videos: trot, canter

Turning a corner

We've been practicing and Charlie has been awesome lately :) I don't know what caused us to turn the corner - whether it was the warmer weather, all the groundwork, something finally sinking in to that baby brain - but whatever it was I hope it continues because I like it! I have something I can work with!

Just for comparison, here is where we were only a few short weeks ago (I'm having trouble linking my youtube videos to my blog at the moment so I apologize but I have to just share the links): Charlie 4/24/13

Now, this is a video from Saturday: Charlie 5/11/13

Charlie is so much more relaxed in everything he does now. It probably has a lot to do with me feeling more relaxed, trusting him more, and trusting myself to deal with any bad behavior he throws my way. Also I'm in better riding shape now (although it's a constant battle for me to remind myself to sit up and back, especially when cantering, old bad habit). I think we're turning a corner :)

The neck stretcher is working really well. I like how it reminds Charlie to keep his head down and not to throw it up in the air without me having to intervene, but I think I'll transition to draw reins within the next week or so. Until I knew Charlie wouldn't fight the pressure, I didn't want to worry about holding on to two sets of reins if he started acting up, but now that he is used to the feeling of the neck stretcher, I can add in draw reins for more control over when pressure is applied and released.

I realize I have forgotten to post conformation pictures recently. Not much has changed. Charlie is still a little on the skinny side, even though I've added beet pulp to his dinner, and we're just now getting to a point where I can work on his topline so that's still not any more developed than it was. I'm sure by next month I'll have some better pictures so I'll update more in that department then, but here are at least a few cute post-ride pics from the other day:

Good ponies get lots of kisses

Happy Lauren

Which is my better side? This one...

....or this one?

See how he has learned to wait patiently?

Sweaty and still skinny, but very shiny

Neck stretcher

Today I tried a neck stretcher on Charlie for the first time. It was one of those things I have been wanting to try for awhile but wasn't really sure how he'd react; from experience it would either work amazingly and he would feel the elastic pressure when he raised his head and learn to relax down instead...or he would have a complete meltdown. However, the past several days I've ridden without lunging first and he was good enough that I decided to take this next step. Since Kate's horse, Lucy, is out of commission for a bit, I asked to borrow her draw reins and neck stretcher (among other implements of horsey torture :P) so I could experiment...and Charlie was awesome!

I did a mini lunge session first just to make sure he wouldn't flip out and could get used to the feel of the neck stretcher, but it was quickly apparent that he really respected it so I got on. We had the most lovely floaty trot...it was amazing! I only rode for about 20 minutes but it was a really positive experience. Plus there was another horse in the ring and two others being groomed and walked around in the aisle, both of which historically cause a bolting buckfest, and Charlie didn't bat an eye :) I can't wait until later this week when Dan can videotape.

Also, another proud mom moment: twice Charlie put his head almost on the ground, testing the neck stretcher, and managed to loop the elastic around the bottom edge of his boot. Instead of flipping out he calmly raised and lowered his front foot trying to loosen it, took a few steps, and then just stopped and stood there resting his hoof so I could untangle it and remove the boots. What a good boy!

I've included a (blurry) picture of his initial getup today because it was kinda hilarious with the bridle, neck stretcher and rope halter...poor pony, I really dress him up in all sorts of contraptions :P