Today's ride.

Well, today I got to putter in the arena. Finally. It was very crispy, so only trot work for us.


Considering, I haven't trained Jibs seriously since October, (just started riding her last summer after 2 1/2 year break so I could recover from an accident) and just have been riding around the parking area at the barn, she rocked. As soon as I mounted, she wanted to buck, but only hopped around and pulled a huge wheelie. She got bad biscuits for that trick, I tell ya! I stuck with her though. My back is KEELING me for being jostled...


So, we worked on transitions within her trot, and I got a B-EEE-A-YOO-T-FUL extened trot out of her. Balanced, rhythmical... A couple little half halts, and we were down into a very energetic collected trot. I asked for a walk, and did some reinbacks and some haunch turns with a lot of forward motion, and then...


It clicked.



I asked her for a walking 1/4 pirouettes in each direction, letting her walk on a long rein for her reward after every 3 or so. Then, I asked for a trot. A nice working trot, and then asked for the 1/4 turns.



SHE DID 1/4 TROTTING PIROUETTES!!!! My Jibs was doing pirouettes!!!! We did them, and did them... She loves them.


She was so light, on the bit, obedient and rhythmical...


This is the first serious training ride of the season.


I am SO proud of her.



My body is SO pissed at me... *giggle*

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! YAY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

Lol, I had a similar experience on Wednesday! I was riding Mysti (arabian), and I cantered her allot (she's way better at a canter than any other gait), and we had... really really nice collection so we practiced stuff like cantering straight down the centerline, and leg yields at a canter. THEN I asked for a 10m circle... and we somehow eventually accomplished 10 FOOT canter circles. This is a lesson horse. The first one anyone rides when they come to our barn. She's VERY VERY beautiful, but when most people ride her, you'd think all she could possibly do would be a walk, trot, and canter. But when I or my friend rides her... you start to be able to see a horse that can do allot more than is expected of her. <3 just thought I'd share! I hope I hear more amazing stuff from you! OOOO! PM me next time you have a great ride! I'd love to hear all about it!

Thanks for responding! Sounds like a lovely mare. I love Arabians, they are so sweet and versatile.


I remember one mare I had, when I bought her, she was really spoiled. She wouldn't let you touch her ears, or belly. When you picked her hind feet, she would pee on you. She wouldn't load. She was pretty gnarly. After I had her for about 6 weeks, we decided to take the 'kids' on a trail ride gathering about 50 miles away. When we got there, our quarter horsey friends were razzing us about having 'those dang knot headed horses'. Well, guess who's knot head had to cross all the bridges first, the water, guess who behaved in an open field, and loaded right up into the trailer?

Yup. My gnarly little mare. She turned out to be one of the sweetest mares ever. I even rode her when I was pregnant, and taught kids how to ride with her.

I will keep you posted on our future rides. I didn't get to ride last night, it was pouring... *sigh*

Lol!

Awesome, I look forward to it!

That is awesome!! Congrats!

^ Haha, when you said this, it reminded me of my old riding instructor! That's exactly how she would say "beautiful" when she'd compliment me on a good trot or whatever. She would totally drag the entire word out.

I hope it was good memories! *giggle*

Yes, definitely! She would never give praise where it wasn't due, so it always made my day!