Lesson today (I was up all night and can't think of a more inventive title...)

So yes, I am crazy enough to keep my scheduled 11 am lesson after being up from 2-5:15 to watch the Royal Wedding and then going back to sleep!  But I'm glad I did because I had a really good lesson.  First of all, I'm apparently not allowed to use the mounting block anymore :) Slight exaggeration, but Mia wants to keep Indy's mind sharp and test me with the fence mounting technique.  We were successful on the first try today!  Since I'm 4'11" and he's 16 hh, a fence or block is the only way I'm ever getting on.  Not that I'm flexible enough to mount ANY horse from the ground that isn't a 13 hh pony, but still.

This is the first day back for lots of trot work post-hock injections, and he was great.  I love a horse that can be on very light work for a week and just be so ho-hum about being asked to do more.  Worked a lot on my seat bones and keeping my weight on my right seat bone and my pelvis facing right.  When I do that, his hopping and missteps go away.  Then we did a bunch of circles and quarter-lines (because the rail covers a lot of faults!) and some ground poles.  He was wonderful.

Rode in the jumping saddle today again, and had a really interesting discussion about saddles and what is important to me.  In theory, the jumping saddle that makes me work every fiber of my being (and wears me out quickly!) is best because it really gives me a great workout and strengthens everything... but what if I can do more now (i.e., trot for 10 minutes at a time like I used to be able to) in the new trail saddle that rides much more like a dressage saddle without the ridiculous knee blocks?  I'm willing to give it a shot and hopefully it will improve my riding.  It might also be a bit better for his huge canter stride!

Other big news is that Mia formally proposed an amount to buy him from his owner!  He's been on lease to one of her other students who is going away to college and we want to do everything possible to keep him in the barn.  Hoping with every fiber of my being that it works out.

Cantering, Climbing Fences and Other Miscellany

So... random update.

We cantered! Did a few half circles a few weeks ago and felt good!  Between him and me we haven't done it again and I can't wait to try soon after he's healed from his hock injections.

Today Indy needed to walk around a bit because he's recovering from having his hocks injected, and I needed a groundwork/mounting refresher.  Indy's adopting more of a "school horse" mentality which means he knows which ones of us mean business... and I would rather be in the group he pays attention to!  Worked on mounting at both mounting blocks, dismounting at the high block... and finally mounting using the arena fence.  My first few attempts at climbing it were lacking, but I got the hang of it and was able to actually get on twice that way.  You never know when it will come in handy, so I'm glad I have that skill.  Mia's threatened to only let me mount from the fence for the next few weeks!  Sounds ridiculous, but I think I'm up for the challenge...