riding in the rain

I had an unexpected baby-free hour and a half on Sunday so I rushed to the barn, got Lucy tacked up, and rode in the outdoor. First I lunged the snot out of her because it was chilly, raining, and she had gotten several days off, and that turned out to be a good choice, because she was a bit craycray. She calmed down and paid attention and I felt pretty good by the time I put a foot in the stirrup and climbed on. I chose to stick to a walk and trot because I didn't feel as though I had 100% of her attention.

And yes, I rode outside in the rain even though we have an indoor. Once it hits 40 degrees, I don't want to ride inside anymore, no matter the weather.

I've got to hand it to my body; I rode like a BOSS even though I am still comically out of shape. Things just clicked into place, and I'll chalk that up to muscle memory.

Maddy and Amanda decided she goes better without a noseband, so that's how things have
stayed. I don't particularly care what tack she goes in as long as she's comfortable and happy,
but she will need to go back in a noseband if we do any showing this summer.

I rode again yesterday and hardly spent any time lunging her because she was already chill! We had a super ride and this time we had a little canter in both directions. Lucy's canter has always been her worst gait but after Maddy's extensive work with her over the winter, I couldn't believe the difference in how she moved. Her canter was miles better than it was before. We cruised around the whole ring a few times in each direction and then I asked her to come back to a walk. She was like, oh hell no, and was a bit naughty about it. I was disappointed because we had been doing SO well! But I just picked up another canter and asked for another downward transition. It took three transitions but she was much more polite about it by the third one. Overall I was very, very pleased.

Hannah is six weeks old today and she gave me a real, genuinely happy smile today while I was taking some photos of her. I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to have the camera when this happened!!