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This is probably more a training brief than anything more involved, but the last several days have seen steady progress in Factor’s world.

After two days off, our ride was a little bit sticky. In retrospect, I realize that it would have been highly beneficial to give Factor some time on the lunge before I got on, especially in relation to moving himself and his body around after the adjustment. He wasn’t bad, but it was more like…he had residual memory of what had previously been painful, so he was reacting in preparation.

Our second ride started on the lunge. He is getting quite solid with voice commands, and was only so happy to prove himself capable when I asked for the many. We had an interesting departure for the right lead canter, where he got the front legs (for the first time without stickiness) but he cross cantered for a moment behind - he almost seemed confused. After a stride or two, he skipped behind and got himself righted - and then it was truly a joyful horse to see. He moved forward without the stick and tentative steps behind, and found he could swing freely in his rhythm. <3

The ride afterwards was excellent, where we put focus on transitioning inside leg to outside rein through curves and corners, and teaching Factor how to be soft to the rein under saddle.

The following day, though, was the best to come. In part, I credit a YouTube video I listened to on my way to the barn. We got compliments through our ride, with a barn friend prompting me that, ‘he could do the hunters’. Well, having never been a hunter, I certainly don’t know what it’s all about to show hunters, but I wouldn’t be against giving him some cross exposure.

Some key takeaways for myself, after our ride series:

• Knees, toes face forward and parallel to the horse

• Consider taking a hole on the leathers / they look a smidge long and like keeping them is carrying my feet slightly forward