Lots of Rain

Monday it rained.  Tuesday it rained.  Wednesday evening I finally sat on Pico.

Thursday morning I had a lesson on Pico (that's why I sat on him Wednesday).  We worked on long and low, stretching to the bit, being a little more forward.  Circles, then figure 8 with a diagonal change of bend (not straight across the arena - too abrupt), then shallow serpentines.  He has to manage the change of bend without popping his head up and he has to allow me to put my leg on without squirting forward.  

Today I extended the shallow serpentine by adding a canter circle at each end.  So at the ends of the arena the leg means canter, on the serpentines it means bend.  Very challenging.  

I have to provide the rhythm.  Pico speeds up, my post has to slow him down.  He follows me, not me following him.  

Also rode Gracie last night - she was tense, but sound again.  We worked on long and low also.  Did some walk pirouettes (which turn into pivots when I ask for a back step first).  Canter-walk transitions.  It's all getting better, just tense.  She did come up in her back - we had some nice stretch-chewy trot circles.  Half-pass was still better to the right.  Going left is hard for her, even in leg yield.