More better

Ride 15: Rosalee
I hauled to the local arena today and got some help from Shayla. She started on the long line and assessed her. Rosalee was dropping her hind lead a lot, and was not as good going right. A lot of the time when she was dropping her lead was because she was gawking around and not concentrating on what she was being asked to do. At first, she was a bit humpy stepping in to the lope, but after having to actually work, she smartened up.

While riding her, she wanted to drop her head and neck which made her heavy on the forehand. Shayla bumped her up with her legs to get her using herself better, and bringing her balance up instead of being heavy on the forehand. We both figure it's a result of her reining training, the fad is for them to travel low headed- which I have never liked.

Travelling in balance 

Once Shayla had her figured out, I rode too. I could really feel when she dropped her head even a little too much, and boy howdy my legs are out of shape! I even loped on her (big grin). I usually don't lope much because of my back, but Rosalee has such a nice rocking chair lope that it didn't hurt at all. I prefer to work at the trot. And it looks like I carry my hands way too high! The things you see when someone takes pics....

After that, I trotted her through the poles, and played with the other obstacles in the arena just for fun.

She was pretty good at scooting the ball with her nose.

I used to love gaming...40 years ago! And I think it would still be fun.

All in all, a much more rewarding ride today.

So, it's all about getting a working mindset back on her. She has had way too much time off, and isn't one of those horses that you can kick out and that will pick right up where they left off. She's a high maintenance kind of gal! And getting forward momentum, in balance, with willingness.