A little clarification

So, I'm not closing my blog or anything.  

The reason why I started with the tweeting is that I felt a little disconnected from my blog because I couldn't easily update on the go.  Since I'm rarely at a computer and able to write a post, even a short one, I haven't been updating as much as I want to.  Blogger does not make it easy to create a mobile post, so I tried Facebook. That didn't work out so well either, so now I post on Twitter.  Which posts automatically to Facebook.  

So if you don't have twitter, but have Facebook, then go ahead and friend me and you'll get every silly tweet that I make.  

I still plan on making lost posts to the blog when I get something substantial to write about.  For instance...

MY LESSON ON FRIDAY!

Yeah I'm really excited.  Phil has been a total star lately and I can't wait for my trainer to see just how far he's come.  I think he's ready for the next steps in his training.  Now that he can actually make a connection with my hand (it's not 100% solid, but it's getting there) I can really start to get some training done.  Transitions, working with shortening and lengthening the stride, strengthening, all those things feel like they are ready to happen.  I just want to make sure I do them the right way and not screw this horse up.  He's so wonderful and talented.  I simply must do right by him.  

So expect to get a rundown on my lesson when I get a chance to bang it out.  I do have to work this weekend, so I'm not making any promises about when that post will make it here. There may or may not be video.  Stay tuned to find out!  

Tweeting

Things need to change a little bit around here.  I hope it will be for the better.  

I now have a twitter account.  Come follow me - @Dressage_Mom.

Why am I doing this finally, you ask?  My answer is kinda lame but here goes - 

I used to have more time to sit down at the computer and bang out a post.  Unfortunately I just don't have that kind of time right now and my blog has suffered because of it.  However, I always have my phone on me, so I thought maybe I could use Facebook on my phone to keep updated.  The problem with that is, well, quite frankly the app sucks and the web based interface doesn't support photos.  

So I'm going to give twitter a try.  It will be short updates of what's going on with my horses and such, but I think it will be easier to deal with. And I can post pics of my lovely boys. Cause everyone loves horse pictures, right?  

Gimme a follow and lets see how this pans out.  Do I want feedback? Of course I do!  

Progress

I don't know what's going on with Phil, but I think I like it.  

He's been really fantastic lately.  I've really been able to actually ride instead of constantly trying to reassure him and talk him out of his anxiety.  The horses have been getting out more, and on grass, so maybe that's the reason. Or because it's been really hot.  I don't really care, actually.  I'm just happy that he's been improving.  

He's letting me correct him without losing his little mind.  He's letting me use my seat and leg to push him into my hand and establish a more steady contact.  I'm able to walk him around the arena, both indoor and outdoor, on a loose rein and not be afraid that he's going to spook and bolt.  It's been fantastic.  

One other thing - I rode him bareback yesterday.  I really only wanted to hack him a little, because it was screaming hot outside.  Since I know that I have a tendency to over-work him when he's going well, I decided that using a bareback pad would keep me from riding too much or too hard.  

Phil was wonderful.  It was great to really be able to feel his back.  It's amazing how much more swing he has in his back than Kaswyn.  We didn't do that much, but we did walk, trot, and canter.  One thing I noticed bareback that I didn't feel with the saddle is that the left lead canter feels weird.  I didn't canter all that much so I can't quite put my finger on it, but if I had to guess I think he's pushing his shoulders right and getting crooked.  Not surprising, since I don't seem to be very good with crookedness unless it's really really severe.  

Anyway, I'm super happy with his progress.  He seems to be trusting me more and more all the time.  It's great.  

 And Kaswyn. Oh sweet Kaswyn.  I just don't know what to do about him.  One day he's good, one day he's not so good.  He is always in good spirits, and I get whinnies and kisses, but when I give him a little lunge to check how he looks - well I never know what I'm going to get.  He's so confusing! We've been doing a lot of walking and hanging out, grooming and treat eating. It just bugs me that I don't have answers.  Maybe I never will.  

Stay cool people and drink water!