Hill work for everyone!

Well, Tom has traveled to Vashon to teach a clinic. He is going to bring my tall boots back! 

Meanwhile, I was told that all the horses needed to so some hill work. Also, Kari visited for a second and final time before becoming a real adult next week and starting a real job. There is a pretty nice slope, gradually downhill leveling at the bottom with changes in slope behind the barn where the horses worked this weekend. The idea is that when horses go down the slope they need to bend the joints in their back legs more and step farther under their belly to maintain their balance, having a somewhat collected frame. When moving up hill, they need to open their length of step, stepping under to push themselves off the ground a bit more, having a somewhat extended posture. Practicing this on hills will make doing it in an arena much, much easier. It also adds a strengthening component that can’t be achieved by riding on the literal flat.

Both Ami and Runoff rode really nicely there, and I felt the added work out in my legs, as well. I’m excited to do more work back there. Everyone tired out faster, including Tommy who was just long lined.

 Jack was long lined. He graduated from the tiny pen to the paddock, where he could trot a full circle, or more.

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.Kari and I took lots of pictures of each other. I feel like I am riding much better, but I don’t see the same amount of improved feel in the photos. Ami looks better, for sure, but Runoff feels much better than she looks. Pictures where I am wearing a green shirt are the most recent. 

I'm very excited to ride in my tall boots tomorrow! Goodbye half chaps!