31st March Schooling and A Hack with Clover

A friend came to meet Xaile and ride Clover today.  She used to show arabs so gave me some good tips to make Xaile look his best when I take him out.  Xaile was in a very nibbly mood this morning chewing and licking everything and very bouncy.  Probably because I didn't ride yesterday.

Jan quickly rode Clover in the school to check they got on.  Then I lunged Xaile and for the first time he had a good buck about on the lunge.  He did the funniest leap into the air/ canter transition.  Then I schooled him for a little bit and Jan very kindly took some video.  I think I got a bit tense when I knew I was being videoed and so he was tighter than he was just before.  However I was pleasantly surprised by the video.  I need to slow him down a little in trot.  Also my lower leg forward thing I've noticed in the photos appears to be the result of my not bending my knees as much as I should when I sit in rising trot so that's something to work on. 

Jan and I then went for a hack.  We braved the bridle way today.  Up till now it has been rather muddy and overgrown but we were told it was better so off we went.  It was really pretty and took us through some fields that'll be great for a good gallop at some point.  We then trotted up a hill and I could really feel Xaile's back working so we'll be doing lots of that over the next few weeks.