Saturday 30th May

Another lovely sunny day.    Things are getting better every day.  By the time we had done lots of walk and trot transitions on both reins both the walk and the trot were lovely, very consistent and lots of impulsion from the transitions.  Still having problems with the halt, but there was a definite improvement in that he didn't exactly hollow, but he did lose the lovely softness he had in the walk.  The shape of our circles improves with his strength and balance.  Canter wasn't good,  we'd manage a few good strides and he'd break, he also decided that one corner of the school was very scary, but only in canter, and he had to swing his quarters away from it so he could get a better look.  But it was hot and the walk and trot were so good I didn't worry too much about the canter.  I think the solution is going to be lots of transitions again, but we'd been out there for 3/4 hour and while he wasn't tired I was so I left it there.

In the evening we had a lovely barbecue at the yard to celebrate Ali and Edward being there for a year.  They have done such a good job with the place, never come across a yard with such a good atmosphere, all horses and owners seem so relaxed and happy.  The best bit of the barbecue was being able to go and give Xaile and Clover a goodnight scratch which they also thought was great.  Even Clover who isn't a cuddly sort of horse was in the mood for a good ear scratch which got Xaile very jealous.