So apparently we can actually bend and leg yield...

In the bitless bridle, Indy is much more willing to do bending and leg yielding exercises.  He tends to become braced against the bit in a bitted bridle, so you have to work against that.  In the bitless, once he realizes he isn't going to accidentally get yanked with the bit, he is much more receptive to this.  Worked on really getting him to bend through the corners and on baby leg yields down the long sides.  The idea that the shoulders have to lead really resonated and helped me be more effective with my outside rein.  It's such instinct to try to prevent a drift towards the rail, you have to let the shoulders lead while still preventing it turning into a drift.  In my next lesson, I'm going to put my spurs on for the first time on him - I'm happy that my legs are secure enough that it's an option!  With a large horse and me with my not-very-strong legs... I think the spurs will be helpful!  Excited to try again on Tuesday.

Another great lesson

Indy looking cute in the cross-ties.

Even though my muscles are burning today, I had a great ride yesterday.  Did a lot of leg yields, baby bends, and some bending into slightly raised walk poles - all things that were difficult to do with a bit because he tends to brace against it, it was much easier to do and he seems a lot more receptive to the bitless bridle in general.  Interesting to learn how I need to ride with it, still a process but definitely coming along very well.  He's just so much fun in general that I sort of feel that we owe it to him to ride him the best way for him right now.

Going Bitless

On Friday I had my first ride in a true bitless bridless (a Micklem bridle)

obviously, not Indy

It was fascinating how easy it was to ride in this and how much didn't change about the way I needed to ride Indy.  Actually, not having the bit for me to interfere with allowed me to work on a lot more lateral work than I have done recently with him because I couldn't over-rely on the bit, thus had to actually correctly apply the leg and seat aids and he couldn't get braced and stiff.  All in all, it is really interesting to explore things with an honest, safe horse.  He obviously liked the bitless option, too, he always seems pretty darn content with life but I really sensed that yesterday.

Saint Indy (seriously)

So today I (and thus, Indy) started off really sluggish.  I was tight and stressed out, hence he was not moving forward.  Once I got him forward, we worked a lot on working on as long a rein as possible, basically at the buckle, and having him respond to seat aids, we did a bunch of lengthenings/shortenings, and just trying to get him to remain on the rail and basically get in the corners even on a very long rein.  He was wonderful and I love how he's so adjustable through the seat.

Mia said something I'd been thinking before: he has a QH personality in a TB body.  He likes to be ridden like a QH: don't mess with my face, I can take care of this, I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing because I think I'm supposed to do it.  Such a good guy, and I'm so privileged to ride him!

Better late then never: photos

 So the orange pony was a pumpkin for Halloween... complete with vine and stem.  For only being on the property a few weeks before this, he was a good sport about everything!

He's being kind of a pill lately so I'm back to just riding (Saint) Indy, who does amazing things for your confidence and abilities!  Working on my two-point a ridiculous amount hoping that I can get strong enough to hold on to his canter stride... I love this horse, but the whole 16hh horse with long legs/big stride and 4'11" rider combination is interesting.

But he's a good sport about everything, even if he does insist on sliming me every ride.  He so is not the slobbery type, and yet...