lunged 3....

you will recall that the plan for today was to go practice on Natasha's horses then come back down for Monf...

so, 2 to lunge there.

Jack - big 17 hh +, Phillip's horse - he's very "yeah, whatever" - got that.

Tash thought last night that if i could get Alfie away, i'd get Monfils away. She says watching their groom lunge Alfie is always entertaining..... he goes off body language.

So, Alfie? totally different stamp of horse, just over 15HH, 5 year old they got as a rescue and backed themselves.

no problem (glad the groom wasn't there to watch, LOL). both reins, walk trot canter, no problem whatsoever.

Monfils?

This was him when i went out to get him, had to use bribery to get him to stand up (amazing what a polo will do!)
he was practising that well known art of eating grass whilst lying down....
mmmmm

he'd thought of something else overnight so what should have worked, didn't.....so we had to change tack slightly, and having practised what was working last night, took me ages to get the new tack after Tash had worked it out.

So, got that eventually if not very well

then we got the roller etc and started him two rein lunging.

I am so out of practice. he has, we think done it before, but again, doesn't really want to do it. But easier in many respects as one has control of the quarters as well....

I have no doubt he'll have thought of something else by tomorrow night!

Tash has kindly offered to come across every night this week, with a view to riding him at the weekend..

one thing is for sure, though - we don't need the lunge whip. I just need to get my body language better - i've always known i tend to lean in, it's as if i'm being pulled in to the horse, which of course is not one one wants - and i am of course being careful of both wrist and shoulder.

the plan is that she'll then ride him whilst I'm getting physio and having the odd lesson/ride out with a view to any wrinkles he might have being sorted/known by the time i am right to get on (or rather, off, LOL!)