Even More Excellence

I rode Finn at Clear Creek with S yesterday, and he was so wonderful there's pretty much nothing else to say about it. Once again, I felt I could just get on and go without a problem. On the trail, we played a bit with having a higher energy walk available when I asked for it (on the way up) and responding softly to a transition to back-up (on the way down). In both cases, though, I was playing to "play"... to develop better communication rather than working to maintain an emotionally stable horse, if you catch my drift. It was glorious and relaxing!

We had another excellent ride this morning. In an effort to keep things brief, I'll try to focus on the highlights...

First, Finn got a little spooked on our way up to the barn because one of the ranch employees was expanding a ditch beside the driveway. Even though the ditch-digger moved on shortly after Finn saw him, this put Finn ON ALERT! The reason this is a highlight is because I was really pleased with how I handled it. I've been really practicing my positive, patient, and kind attitude and it served me well today. I stayed calm and focused, and thanked Finn for every attempt he made to reconnect with me. His extra alertness lingered through grooming and the first half of our ride, but I just kept my intent on the relaxing time we were having together and he eventually joined me in that, yay!

Second, our turn on the HQ is continuing to improve in leaps and bounds! Earlier this week, I asked for the transition from yielding the HQ to yielding the FQ while looking for a clean, correct turn on the HQ on the ground for the first time. Today, Finn actually offered an exactly perfect one! The outside hind landed from it's step out, planted, and the turn on the HQ was initiated with no excess steps or "static." From the saddle, this is also continuing to improve. We had a couple iffy ones in our difficult direction (to the left) but even those were MUCH improved over where we were a few weeks ago. In each direction, I quit on one where he offered several lovely steps in a row... AND I checked after we stopped and confirmed that the outside hind had been pivoting! It's still a long way from perfect, but we're making progress!

Finally, we played over ground poles again today. I had a set of 3 trot poles and one single pole for cantering. Finn was excellent. I was really proud of him on our first approach to the trot poles... he got caught a bit off-guard and did a little double-take in front of them, but didn't break his trot and proceeded to negotiate them perfectly. I consider that progress, since he was able to process on-the-go instead of feeling like he needed to stop and look. He was excellent over the canter pole as well, maintaining a lovely rhythm. I'm pleased that even when we fumble the distance he doesn't get worried about it. I'm also pleased that he seems willing and eager about the poles. I've always known that Finn has talent as a jumper, but wondered if I'd be able to get him confident and relaxed enough to let that talent shine. Well, so far, so good! I know we're only just beginning, but this beginning seems very promising to me.

It was pretty hot today and the sun was really baking me, so it was wonderful to sit down in a shady place while Finn snacked on some grass after our ride. He has been so stupendous lately and I feel very appreciative of all his efforts; I can only hope he hears me when I thank him.