First Lunge Outside

After a nice forward ride yesterday, even trotting on the diagonal to change direction, I decided to do a lunge day outside. He was very forward, using his big boy trot with some bucks and cantering. When I changed direction he settled down nicely and stopped when I asked! Plus it was a beautiful 70 degrees out and the horses are shedding like crazy.

Mastering the Forward button

Nik has been doing really well, picking up the cues to stay trotting and not stopping. He is funny, he usually poops twice and sometimes stops to pee. Anything for a break. Today Bob led me around the outdoor arena. He was very good, had alittle spook from the cat rustling in the leaves but then was fine.

Nikolaas Canters on the Lunge

Nik was so forward today that I actually got him to canter on the lunge line in both directions. I did have to chase him into it and he had an awesome extended trot. He was such a good boy!

Still working on forward

Our main theme has been forward. He has made some improvement but needs alot more get up and go.

Working on Forward

Friday,Sat and Sun. we worked on going forward on the lunge and riding around the ring. Monday I just lunged and he was better about trotting forward and not stopping. Tomorrow he will have off.

One step forward, 2 back

On Monday, Nik was having an out of body experience and decided to gallop off to the other end of the arena. He still doesn't have great brakes so it was quite an adventure. So Tuesday I lunged him and Wed. I lunged and then rode again but Bob kept us on the line. He was fine and we will resume solo riding later this week. Babies!!!

Nik trotting solo

The 40mph winds are over

Nik has had 3 days off due to gail force winds. Today I rode him solo and Ari took some photos and a video. He is steering better but needs more forwardness.

Our first spook

Monday I didn't lunge and just hopped on. I worked on some steering on the line and one of the crazy cats ran into the indoor right under his legs. He jumped to the side and then stood there. Then I went solo and trotted around the indoor in each direction. The steering is getting better. Today he had a day off and we did beauty parlor. Worked on his mane, clipped his head. He didn't even blink when I clipped him.

Lots of New Things

Thursday was a day off. Friday I lunged and the Bob lunged me. Nik was a real slug. I think it was because we drove Tiki and Nik was running around the field wondering why Tiki was going by. By the time I rode him he was tired.
Saturday Nik was really good. After a short sesson of riding on the lunge I went solo. We trotted down the long side twice and worked on steering.
Sunday we long lined Nik in preparation to teaching him to drive. He took well to the lines and we worked on steering and stopping. Bob lined from the rear and I stayed near his shoulder with a line. Afterwards I led him around the outdoor arena and he did great. No problem.

Great Job!

Today I lunged with tack and side reins. Bob led me around the arena twice. Nik was very relaxed.

Vaca is over, back to business!

I finally defrosted and am starting Nik back up again. Today I lunged him and he remembered everything. Tomorrow I hope to hop on.

Taking a break

Because of weather, snow and life, Nik has had a small vaca since the 2nd week in January. I plan to start him back up in a couple of weeks. He also deserved some time off.

It's 60 degrees out today!!!!

I'v ridden a couple of times this week. Once some snow slide off the roof and spooked Nik alittle. Today it was VERY windy but warm. We opened the indoor doors to let some sun in. He was a tad nervous a few times with some heavy gusts so I just rode on the line. We are working on forward thinking.

Very Forward today

After a few days off for snow, Nik was very forward today. He trotted and listened well on the lunge and then went over a cavaletti pole. I rode on and off the lunge for a bit.

Getting better

Yesterday After a lite lunge with sidereins, I rode solo. I went around the entire arena. Did some trotting. The steering is still alittle scarey but we got around! Today, Nik got a well deserved rest. Tonight we are supposed to get more snow.

Trotted Solo

Today I trotted Nik by myself!!!!!! He needed some encouragement from Bob on the ground with the lunge whip but he was excellent

Riding without the line

After a short lunge in side reins and Bob lunging me on Nik, I rode around at the walk off the line. I did some turning, stopping and going. I carried a dressage whip to help with the going.

Christmas Day

Today, I lunged Nik with side reins for the first time. He was fine. He then had his homemade Christmas horsey treats. YUM.

Christmas EVE

After a week off because of bad weather, I started Nik up again. Bob lunged me on Nik at the walk and trot. Afterwards I walked around off the line, worked on stop and go and steering. He was awesome!