Today I worked Lazz. (14 yo OTTB that I free lease. that came to me June 20th 2010 in really rough shape. He had no muscle and was quite thin.) We worked on things I read in Centered Riding the night before. I worked at calming my self and FEELING my horse. I also worked on my contact on the reins which is a big problem for me. I feel like Im being kinder with loopy reins but I know now that Im not doing him any favors. I had some moments of being very connected to Lazz during our ride. I was actually able to have a very nice sitting trot on him, which I found impossible up until yesterday. The connection we had for those several minutes was amazing. I didnt come out of the saddle, I didnt hurt or have to fight to stay with him. I have to say though that it didnt last. I started to think about other stuff, taking our new found connection for granted. He got rougher, and more tense and I started bouncing and getting frustrated. At least now I know what is possible between us, and how trully wonderful it feels. We also worked on trotting squares, and tranistions through all the gaits. Overall I think it was a very good ride.

I also worked with Amigo. (my 4 yo mustang/qtr horse cross. He was a rescue from a woman who had no idea how to handle a horse with some spunk.) I worked on leading him around and getting him out of my space. He has been running into people as they lead him in and out of the barn. He doesnt have a ton of respect for people, so we are working on that all the time. Sometimes he's great though. So after working on leading, I did some ground work with him in the round pen. He had some excess energy to burn off so he did that and then was very calm and responsive. I rode him bareback with his halter and lead for awhile and worked on listening to my legs and weight and backing.

In the evening a friend came over and we rode in the arena. I was riding my Uncle's qtr horse, Harley. He's the horse I am going to use next year for gymkhana, so I have to get him listening to my aids and building up muscle. (he knows a lot but has gotten away with a ton from my Uncle, who just lets the horse run the show.) I did a lot of trotting squares and changing direction. He wasnt quite as good as when I rode him last week but it was almost feeding time and hes not used to being told what to do. We dont have the same bond that I have with some of the other horses I work with, but I think that will change as we work together. The idea of working with him only came about last week. I had been riding him once in awhile but maybe 2 or 3 times a month tops. That will change!