I'm back!

So, things have changed since I've been away. Bond has been sold, although he's staying here for a little while longer until his new owner's barn is built. He's going well and different people are riding him, so he's getting used to leg on and is starting to work with more of a contact. Everything stresses him out, really, so it's repetition and staying calm on our part that's going to get the break through.

Chelsea, the palomino paint who is an accomplished but very lazy reining horse is being worked a mixture of English and Western, in the hope she'll be more attractive to buyers if she does both. She's pretty easygoing and responds to a snaffle and light contact no problem. She does just have the low head set, but I don't really want to change that if she's going to a beginner rider. She's been brilliantly trained so she does everything from very simple aids - I did my first ever spins on her this week - so much fun! like leg yield at all gaits, rein back, flying changes, all the stuff. It's pretty similar to English training but her way of going is much different and she's quite slow anyway, so I'm just asking her to move out a bit more at the trot and to stay relaxed.

There have also been changes in staff so now we have all but two horses in work, there's another girl here working with me and we're sharing the rides. While I was on holiday, she 'started' Stormy under saddle!! which is so awesome, after the crappy times I had on her - she could probably feel me being unsure but still, after three rides from this girl, Stormy needs leg to gait and produces relaxed snuffly sneezes as she's walking around, not snatching at the bit or freaking out. Unreal! She's also working pregnant Gracie, as she's a bit too fat and needs some gentle work outs to make her healthy enough for her baby.

I'm also riding Dee Dee, starting her after her 5 month break on very basic flatwork, Ella, who learns very quickly and will start showing next summer - she's like the poster child for the farm! And Tatoum, with whom I will do dressage with next summer. She's so big and chunky, but she's mega keen to learn and willing to try anything I ask of her. She does shoulder in and leg yield in w/t/c, Her transitions are improving - she's a little, um, forward - and my next aim is to get an extended trot out of her. She's ace.