June 2017

A short month of riding because my holiday was sandwiched in the middle.  Definitely continuing our progress at the beginning of the month, which is good news.  Basil has put plenty (too much!) weight on and looks much better for it.  We also have been having a new roof on the stables for the last week of June so that has meant the horses have been out 24/7 for a few days, which they don't really like.  They have all been extra tired  :(

My Aims for June were:

1.        Calmness - mostly

2.        Rhythm - variable

3.        Suppleness - yes, definitely

4.        More balance in canter - yes definitely

5.        Correct canter leads - variable

6.        Turn on forehand - yet again variable

7.        Leg yield circles (spirals) - forgot these

8.        Poles/Jump - good over poles in trot.

This is what June  looked like: 
 
2nd  - lunged today, good boy as usual.

3rd - rode in the arena today, we did half a circuit of counter canter today.  He struck the wrong lead on the right rein and I decided to carry on!  Lovely over the trotting poles today.

4th - hack out today - I always enjoy a nice gentle potter and Basil likes stopping for snacks!

7th - really windy today so no riding and it rained yesterday :(  Vet came today to take blood from Chesney for his Cushing's test.

 
9th - not sure if Basil's breathing is slightly laboured so started on some Ventipulmin today.  Rode gently in arena, walk and a bit of trot.  Leg yield and poles.

10th  - lunged, Basil seems better today.

11th - hack out :)

13th - lunged today.  Chesney started his Prascend today.

14th - rode in the arena.  He rushed the trotting poles today so we went back to walking until a few strides out.  Good walk leg yield and some great circles in trot with good bend and on the bit.  Unfortunately canter was rushed.

16th - lunged.

17th - HOLIDAY

26th - tried to lunge but after a week off Basil thought it was more important to bomb up and down the arena.

27th - lunging and a better session today. 

29th -  lunged again - want to make sure I am not going to be bucked off and giving my slightly sore backside a few more days to recover.  Wrong lead on our second right canter today, unusual when lunging.

30th - walk and trot in the arena today.  Leg yield, serpentines, circles ... very pleased with him for our first ride for a couple of weeks.

My Aims for July are:

1.      Calmness and Rhythm

2.      Suppleness

3.      More balance and slower in canter

4.      Correct canter leads

5.      Turn on forehand

6.      Leg yield circles (spirals)

7.      Canter Poles

8.      Small jump

Must try harder to achieve my aims this month, definitely the turn on forehand and spirals.

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Until next time!

Jo