Squares

Pico

 

Started the morning on Pico.  We worked on walk squares - first Major Lindgren's "Wash Sponge", turns on the forehand.  Any thoughts out there on why he calls them Wash Sponges?  Then changed to turns on the haunches.  Huge difference between Pico today and Pico a month ago.  He can move his hindquarters over without squirting forward. (Maybe that's the genesis of the wash sponge -- no squirting allowed).  

At trot we moved to simple serpentines - good change of bend and steering is improving.  Then a clover leaf or two with emphasis on bend.  

Next - leg yields down the long side.  Tried to do the diagonal exercise again, but it's very difficult.  Leg yield in general was better today, but I still find myself restricting the outside shoulder to keep him from leaning on it.  So....  thought about half pass instead.  Went around the arena shifting from shoulder-in to haunches-in.  That is the first time thinking about haunches-in.  Not bad though.  Some squirtiness, but not a lot and some bend.  Then tried shoulder-in down the middle, step of half-pass, more shoulder-in, step of half-pass.  Pretty cool for a first try.

Rounded out with a few canter transitions, both up and down.

Gracie

Started with walk squares, both forehand and hindquarters.  Moved to trot squares, hindquarters only, although I think I should play with forehand.  Not too bad.  

Moved on to leg yield on the diagonal -- really does turn nicely into half-pass on Gracie.  We tried coming out of the corner in half pass, then straight at X, ten back to half pass.  Fun!

Started canter work with counter-canter - serpentines, beginning with 1/4 line and building up the entire arena.  She really wants the change now, so have to work to keep her concentrated and balanced without a change.  Next, lots of transitions.  

Decided to end with the squares with canter.  The left lead started bad, but got better. I have to sit BACK and to the right.  Very straight.  Then we get up and around.  Hard to remember to lead with my inside hand.  Moved to right lead.  Ugh!  More tension.  No interest in up and over. Really really hard.  Back to left lead -- ended with a couple of okay corners.

Call it a day.