Lesson again

We had another lesson last week.

This is from our lesson in January

This is from our lesson in February 

I think we are doing better getting used to working in the arena.  The day in February was warmer than the one in January.  Zoe isn't as sweaty after the February lesson.

We did make some progress.  We are working towards cantering a 20 meter circle collected.  Of course we can't just hop into the canter.  We have to make sure we are walking and trotting collected first.  And we did make progress in that area.  She needs "help" with my cues as we go to the right, and different "help" with my cues as we go to the left.  It's interesting how each part of my body can control and help her with collection.  But we definitely did better at the trot.

Cantering is still a work in progress.  Throughout this whole process Zoe has learned not to drop her head down too far, except at a canter.  At  the canter she tends to drop her head too far and hasn't quite learned to lift her front end and keep it lifted.  She gets strung out.  There are moments that we do it correctly but more work needs to be done.  She is a "down-hill" horse and has some balance challenges to work on.  We work on just cantering in a 20 meter circle without collection to get used to working in a circle.  I think it's helping because she wasn't so tired after the February lesson.

We get to work on this at least 3 times a week - Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings.  We do some collection work out on the trail too but not as much as we do in the arena.  It's nice to be able to "mix it up" with different kinds of rides.  I think Zoe likes to get the break out on the trail.  She does seem to be  trying really hard to get it right.

Maybe the next lesson we will be better.  I'll have to post some pictures later.