Had a great lesson today. Our coach could see that we were all riding speedy horses today so we spent the lesson working on slowing down. We were to do a lot of whoa and back up, also did posting trot on the long side and sit jog on the short with circles in the corners. We learned to stay on a circle and keep our horses head and shoulders in between the reins. I was also working on getting Cooper to lower his head more and to give him more rein, to trust him more. By the end of the lesson…

We were learning to yield the hind end at a walk.

The hour was spent on one side, next time I am up will have to do the other side. Walk forward in a straight line and press our leg just behind the cinch for a count of 2. If he didn't move hind end then would pull the rein and get him to yield his hind until his hips moved over. Then walk back in the same direction you were going and start over.

He finally did a good one near the end of the hour and ended on that. Hope to do…

I wasn't certain what was going to happen today when going to get Cooper. Would he come? Would I have to get someone from the early lesson to go get him?

I was so happy this time when he came when I called. The paddock was still a mess with so much water and mud. I had a carrot in a bucket and opened the gate to let him come out of the paddock on his own. 

I didn't boot him again because his legs were wet and muddy. I tried to get off what I could but I did not want to put them…