Bareback practise

I rode both days last weekend - both bareback at home. Garbo was not very impressed with my attempts to stay on at trot - because I am 'in readiness' to stop him after going into trot - I lean forward a little (giddyup just a little bit) and he stops. He's such a good horse - he's really only looking out for me. This is him (above) thinking get me outta this round pen!

So off we went  - check out the ears and the expression difference.

The following day my friend came over and helped me - she led Garbo at trot while I concentrated on sitting back, thumb under bum, and tried to move my hips with him. I have set myself the goal to be able to ride Garbo bareback in trot - because I figure then I'll be able to ride any horse bareback at trot. Canter will be easy. It's the transition back to trot that will be the tricky part. Hence concentrating on trot.

Next it was Maraschinos turn - and we achieved alot! Using the carrot stick and string to play friendly game over him while at walk and trot - woohoo - big step forward! This then really will help him stop over-reacting to me lifting the carrot stick - think I need the bell on it again though!

This is him waiting patiently - ground tied, while I set up the round pen.

Then we started on  - lets try jumping! He doesn't yet realise his legs are very long and he could jump out of the round pen at standstill if he really wanted to!

As you can see we have been having some beautiful Autumn weather.

Maraschino having a think!

The boys were grazing in the side paddock and it had my haylage bales in there stacked up. I saw them back in the track looking guilty and wondered why - then I saw - two of the bales had been rolled out (about 20ft) and bitten open with two big chunks (one from each - wonder who the culprits were!) out of the top. No spare plastic to be seen! So I spent the next few days watching them like hawks and was relieved to find munged up plastic in poos for two days. Think it was Maraschino doing the opening - and Garbo would have kicked him off to eat the haylage after opening.

Anyway - since then - the opened bale has been inside and this is Garbo saying PLEEEEEEASE can I have some?