January 7, 2009

After being laid low for three days with a head cold, I finally found my way back down to the farm to take a ride on Sarah.  Tonight was just a quick, run through the paces kind of ride.  We used the "Darnell" bit (long-shank snaffle); it's been awhile, and both of us were a little rusty with it.  Things we worked on:  Consistency at the walk, jog, and lope with frame and speed, and transitions up and down; extended jog, with transitions up and down.  Hardest thing tonight was transitions from extended jog back down to normal jog without breaking gait.  We needed to do this a few times to get it right.  Afterward, a clean blanket, alfalfa cubes, new bedding and a peppermint!  She very directly inspected this bedding and gave me the nod.  She's got it pretty good, I'd say.