Rode a long ride out of the arena today and I think it did great things for Bear's mind. I can't imagine what it must be like to run wild and then be put into a 50' x50' pen. He has been doing well in the arena, but yesterday I felt like he wanted to stall-out all of the time in the canter. So today, out we went!
I started out with about 10 minutes of ground work; backing, yielding hindquarters and forequarters, and trot, pivot, turn, and then went for a ride with a friend on Cimarron.
We probably walked a half a mile before I asked him for the trot. He did great! Did tons of small turns and bending, yield the hindquarters and forequarters through and plenty of walk to trot and trot to walk transitions. After about three miles, I asked for the canter. He moved out without hesitation and settled into the canter quite nicely. We loped for probably 15 minutes or so and it did wonders for both of us! He has a real nice, smooth trot and lope and is easy riding.
Once again Gabby didn't disappoint for spook-proofing my mustang! The irrigation water had filled the bar-ditches and she romped and played with incredible gusto. Bear would look her way but that was about it. He didn't even seem to mind her running RIGHT up behind him and then zooming by. He simply laid the one ear back and kind of followed her with it. What a nice horse!
We also rode over our first obstacles today! The irrigation pipe was crossing the road and was set up on a tie block so it was approximately 2-2 1/2 foot high. Bear smelled it and then walked over it like he'd done it a million times! He wasn't the least bit afraid of the water gushing out of the end of the pipe into the ditch either. I think he wanted to get in!
All in all, it was a great ride and the perfect way to spend a July 4! Now it's off to work and a long night of, I hope, nothing serious!
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