that was better

back to manege patterns...

the original plan was that gaynor was going to hack up and we'd go out, but she was running really late, then another came back to the yard to say that some idiot with a strimmer was on the hall drive scaring horses (had driven his machine directly towards the horse, when he could see the mare was scared of it).

so, i thought we'll try manege patterns again - bearing in mind that last time we had a bad time with him not moving.

since then, i have been doing the girth up not quite as tight...

anyway, whilst he did have the occasional stop, i was easily able to get him going again.

when he was moving, he was moving on well, he's got a lovely walk so i must try not to spoil it, i can feel it covering a lot of ground.

introduced leg yield - successfully on left rein, not so successful on right, that'll be rider error

and added serpentines to the mix

tried a trot up the long side, but need more work on me for that - also need more shimming, it was clear at that point that the saddle had dropped slightly in front - although that might be because it had slipped back slightly as well, not sure....

whilst the saddle fits, and i have two choices as to what to go under it - the normal inserts + shims, or the smartpanel (a cork panel designed for the purpose) i'm not sure which is better. the first choice is easier for me to put on, that's for sure...

anyway, overall very pleased with him.

only did about 20 minutes, but i think that's more than sufficient for him at the moment!