Saddle Up for Some Gorgeous Weather!

Today was so beautiful out that being outside was absolutely mandatory. Fortunately for me, it's easy to spend the entire day outside. I decided I'd work with all the horses!

Paula was saddled and ridden.

I can't wait for next spring! Show season will be here before we know it, and I truly hope Paula and I will be ready. She's doing so well! Right now we're working on balance and control. She's starting to really grasp collecting at the trot, but she will lose her shoulders on the turns, so we've just got to work on keeping it all together.

I left the saddle in the roundpen, hoping I could get Bambi and Fabian both saddled today as well.

Bambi was first. She saw the saddle. She knew what it meant, even though she's only been saddled once before. She wasn't thrilled.

She's not hard to work with at all, by any means. She just doesn't love the saddle is all.

We did some bending exercises, along with work moving her feet. She's still fairly stiff, so much more work is needed. Overall she's accepted the saddle very well, though! Once she's loosened up we'll graduate to driving!

Then came Fabian. I went ahead and worked him without the saddle. He continued to absolutely excel!

So then I thought I'd really push our limits by saddling him (which he took very well), doing our ground exercises (which he also does very well--he's got such an extremely light touch--Bambi needs to take note here :), and then I lunged him.

He had a couple of bucks with the saddle but nothing that was a big deal at all. Considering not even three weeks ago he was scared to death just to lunge, and now he's working smoothly and calmly with a saddle on makes me so incredibly happy!

Moose unfortunately (for me--fortunately for him) was passed over today because Grandma invited me to go to town to eat with her, my uncle, and my cousin's family. It was a fun time, but Moose--buddy, you're up for your workout tomorrow!!

Every Moose has his day,