My spring break began yesterday, and after a much-needed catch up dinner with some good friends last night, today was my first day spent at the barn in a full week.
My goals for today were small. Gali is just two rides back from his month off, so I wanted to work on conditioning. I wasn't expecting him to be Mr. Dressage Horse, but after our long and low warmup, he gave me some beautiful trot work. We started off in the small ring to the side of the barn, but after feeling how nicely he was moving at the trot and canter, I walked him over to the larger ring to let him stretch his legs. For some reason, he was more reluctant to open up in the big field, but he was still offering me lovely trot work, and I wasn't about to say no!
He was definitely testing me in spurts, though. He'd be lovely for a circle, and then grab the bit and pop his shoulder and try to drag me out of the figure. Luckily, I remembered to actually ride for the most part, and when I'd get after him with my legs instead of my hands, he responded well.
He got tired more easily that I would have liked, though, and a few times he actually started chomping his teeth. He's not usually one to complain in that fashion, though I'll write it off to the heat and a "but I was dooooone" protest unless it crops up again this week.
I also took Max over a crossrail twice today, and looked like crap both times. I recently oiled my boots (which aren't really the best for riding, anyway) and my leg was nowhere to be found. Oops.
The weather is supposed to be lovely, and I'm going to be riding every day until I have to go back to Rutgers.
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