learning to growl

last night was a good idea (as well as the shorter stirrups)

didn't go straight in the arena, went along the back drive and back first (in default of the arena being available, someone was in it freeschooling, and i did ask a couple if they were going out, but they were going to do more than i wanted to...)

i did intend to go through the ford, which he has been through loads of times with me on (in company) and with gaynor (on his own).  but he wasn't having it.  benefit of the doubt, it may have been the way the light was/wasn't, but whatever ...

we had a nice ride anyway, with some trot back on the bits of the track that aren't covered in stones..

then back in the arena, and last night is paying off, i was able to keep him going despite two attempts by him to stop, and we ended with some nice trot/walk/trot transitions...

i need to now work on my rising - oddly, it was perfect coming up the hill on the track, but no where near on the flat in the arena! ... and keep this going

then turnout was into a different field which had some grass... i was expecting him to go charging up the top to find the others, but no - eat ... roll - roll again and eat before getting up - walk about, eat... all with the lambs watching (they've moved themselves into this field!).  a couple of times he heard a horse whinny from the top of the hill, but didn't go off to find them.  seemed very happy to have lots of grass... we might need to muzzle!