Short Ride on a Hot Day

Taking On Chance

I rode Chance for about 20 minutes or so today. This time we stayed in the arena. I didn't need to face any bugs out on the trail.

Nothing too exciting to report except that despite the fact that I've been trail riding him for the bulk of the season, he is actually acting more schooled in the arena. Somewhere along the way I must be unconsciously doing something right out on our hacks.

He wanted to reach down for the bit at the trot, even though I did have to remind him now and then.  He was in a nice, long training level frame.  His walk was easy to keep forward, which was another nice change.

I tried a few turns on the haunches. He was very good going to the right, but the left was a little sticky. Again, considering that I haven't really schooled him much on these, he was quite good at it.

We tried some leg yield at the walk as well. The right was very good, the left a little sticky again. Normally, I've found left leg yield easier than right, but he's the opposite. I think his right hind is a little weaker than the left, so stepping over with it may be more difficult for him. But, he certainly tried, did not get upset at minimal correction and was a good boy. I did not try at the trot yet, so we'll see how that goes.

We did some canter as well. Again, left lead was better than the right as he tended to break on the right lead. But, in the past, his right lead has always been faster as he was not at well balanced on that side. Not today. Right lead was slow and easy--too easy.  I'm sure a bit of schooling and some better fitness on his part would fix it easily.

If it weren't so hot, I would have entered him in the schooling show--local horse rescue benefit--but I simply cannot face all the effort of prepping for, trailering to, and riding in a show. There was a time the heat would not have bothered me at a competition, but no more. And, it doesn't help that I haven't been able to ride much during the heat wave--10 degrees F hotter than today. I'll hope there will be an opportunity to compete at least once on him at a better time.

I also swam and did water aerobics for an hour today. I have a routine I've set up that exercises most of me pretty well. I've been averaging an hour nearly every day. After my swim, I ride down the water slide a couple times and then take a circuit or three of the Lazy River, depending on how hot the sun is.  I have to be careful that I don't burn. I use sunscreen, but that only protects so far.

Dinner out with my friends from church finished up the day on a good note.

Heat or not, summer is still fun at Follywoods.