which_chick | (no subject)

So, I did manage to have time for pony this evening after Appleblossom Festival.

I took Calli the Project Horse (the one that I'm breaking for the competitive ride this fall) up over the hill and down the other side and then back home again. Laur came with, on Phantom. Goals here were as follows:

1. Steering
2. Brakes
3. Calm, workmanlike behavior
4. Attempt a jog
5. Come back alive, still in the saddle

All of those goals were accomplished. I'm still riding Calli in the halter, but we'll be switching to a bit and reins in the coming week. She's got good steering and brakes in a halter and she's not nervous or sudden. It's time for a bit and reins.

She is rather forward. She'll jog, but comes right back to a walk if you ask her to do so. She's got a way more comfortable jog than Nick ever did, also has a great big huge walk (good for a trail horse). On the little bitty trail ride, we crossed water (a teeny little trickle with some mud) and went past a cow and saw some ATVs blowing through the field in front of us. No problems for any of that. Calli tried to eat the grass but I won that mini-argument and really the whole thing was a very sedate and pleasant ride experience. It was not a very *big* ride experience, but we did leave the yard and go somewhere and come back alive. With jogging, even. It was good.