more catch up

Monday: I knew I wouldn't be able to do much Tue/Wed so had big rides with both Key and Try.

Keystone: basic hack and no stirrups (2/3). He was lovely responding quickly to gait transitions and maintaining a nice rhythm so much better at walk/trot and canter.

Try: wanted just a quick ride--got to arena and she was full of herself so just let her go with it pretty much until she began a big leg yield at canter for ??10 yards (which was cool but out of control) until we got close to the rail. Got off for some on line circling and then finished canter on the 2nd side. She was tired.

Key needs trot for muscle development. Try needs canter for aerobic fitness.

Tuesday: Had a grooming lesson with Alie and Try and picked up some good pointers.

Wednesday: Wash out rainy day. I watched Colleen's first dvd and sorted through some of my confusion over "8 ways of turning" section. The HQ yields crossing over is a nono for dressage but can be useful for other purposes such as HQ development, engaging the horse. Colleen showed a prefered method of sniff, look, wt inside stirrup. Because Try falls in a better way for me could be sniff (puts my wt back), look/focus/eyes, reins indirect on inside of turn and direct on outside, use inside leg to bend and outside needs more weight to prevent falling in.