Days of Spring

I've finally reached the point where I have the time to start working with Spring in a consistent manner.  On Tuesday of last week, I started to ride her in a lesson, but it didn't go particularly well; the saddle that had fit her up until that point (that I  had ridden her in the Sunday before without issue) apparently was no longer a good fit due to the fact that she's gaining weight pretty quickly.  She let us know about the issue pretty dramatically, complete with spinning and rearing, and I had to get off because post-surgery me cannot risk a fall right now.  Thankfully, Trainer K was able to get on her after the lesson (using a different, better-fitting saddle), and her brain came back pretty quickly.

she's ~sensitive~

Lesson learned - saddle fit will now be checked before every venture.  I didn't feel comfortable riding her after that, so I spent the days that followed working her from the ground.  She definitely knows how to lunge, and does well with my Vienna reins, although I need to punch a few holes in them so that they fit her a little better.  She's very happy to work, and I've mostly been working on conditioning - lots of walk-trot transitions with the reins on, and lunging over poles with the reins off.  She seems to pick things up very quickly, and her work ethic impresses me. 

already looking less skinny

After a week of consistent work without her offering up any complaints about the various tack setups that I've been trying out on her, I felt comfortable enough to tack up and ride this morning.  It turns out that my saddle, with the Ogilvy half pad to cushion it, fits her pretty well at the moment, so that's the setup I chose to use.  I was a little nervous, but Barn Friend E was working her horse at the same time, so I wasn't alone if things went awry.  Thankfully, my concerns were entirely misplaced - although she was a little 'up' and fast, she was also responsive to my aids and behaved like a respectable citizen the entire ride.  She has such lovely gaits - I could ride her canter all day long.  

such a delicate face

She felt good enough that I wanted to watch her move, so I got off and asked my friend M if she wanted to take her for a quick trip around the arena so that I could see how she looked.  M was eager to accept, and quickly climbed on.  And, guys.  The mare looked pretty great.  She has a ton of potential.  I wish I had video, but unfortunately I didn't bring my phone out with me.  It was lovely.  Trust me.  

Spring does have a few manners-related kinks that we're working on, including head rubbing and pawing while in the wash rack, but she's doing extremely well so far.  She gets along fantastically well with her pasture mates, and I am hoping to ride her in a lesson next week.  

Old pic, same favorite monster mare.

I was able to ride Jordyn in a lesson last night - my second jumping lesson post-surgery - and it was fabulous.  We did a 'switchback' exercise involving tight turns through a zigzag of jumps.  It was really fun, and really bittersweet as it was most likely my last ride ever on Jordyn - she's leaving this weekend for a show with her owner, and then moving barns to live with M's family for a while, and then she'll be going back to her owner's property at the end of the year to start a new adventure as a mom.  Not going to lie - I definitely teared up when I took her out to her pasture after the lesson.  She's such an incredible horse, and she has taught me so much in the last few months that I've been been able to consistently ride her.  I am so, so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from a horse like her, and I'm going to miss her.

extreme close-up

 As for Leo and his girlfriend, they're very happy together.  I'm hoping to ride him in the next few days to see if his newfound soundness continues - nothing too crazy, just a leisurely walk with maybe a few minutes of trotting.  Hopefully he remembers what a saddle is - pretty much every time that I've ridden him since the whole lameness saga began has been bareback!