1) Ok, so today we had footing issues and a new saddle. Saddle is a Marcus Krehan on trial. Fitter is coming Monday to assess. Already I feel like it gives him a LOT more freedom in the shoulder undersaddle.. despite what I'm worried about when he's standing... only the fitter will know for sure, I'm sure. ;)

Overall, I'd say the massaging, careful lunging regimine, and saddle work is starting to pay off. He's been a lot more forward and uphill than he was today. But today we had better relaxation that we've had some evenings (go figure - it's about 20 degrees colder then)!

2) Trying for stretch & getting more foreward. He went much more BTV throughout the session trying to find his spot. Much more hesitant overall today about the footing than he was 2 days ago. Two days ago he was flying. Today the sand had just enough 'crunch' to make him worried. I walked all over the arena and watched him walking it before we started lunging. He moved out better on the lunge too after a few hesitant times around. I have to like riding a horse though, that minds his footing very concienciously! He's like this out in the pastures too. When everyone else is playing, if he slips just a hair he'll stop and move out of everyone's way. Smart, smart kid. ;)

3). More pushing ... some swing is coming. Head up and down a LOT in the video.

4) Trying to get a little downward stretching today.. didn't get much.

5) The middle of the arena was harder than the walls... Turns through the middle really reflect that. Lots of clucking and whip waving (I don't pop him with it when he's being cautious -- which he is, good boy for looking out for himself). It took a few minutes before he was confident enough to move out better in the spots we hadn't lunged in.

6) Ya! Finding forewards now...! :)

7) Collapsing outside... saddle seems to fit well from my POV..?

8) Saddle fit through the shoulders??

9) More feedback needed on my inability to hold my outside leg back and NOT push my inside hip too far foreward on this turn to the left.

10) My TB kid turned Andalusian....

11) Check out how that thigh block helps me. ;)

12) Sticky spot where we were slowing down... pushing to get that forehand up again...

13) Top of posting rise, dropping shoulder, rising higher on the left side? Twisting?

14) Sitting the posting rise...Collapsing to the outside through the hip...

15) I wanted to show my leg, hip & shoulder issue here. I have terrible twisty hips & my seatbones pop up in odd ways depending on what I'm doing. Funny how the horse's head and neck mirror it. We are coming through on a large figure 8 across the diagonal... no bend left yet..

16) This is a harder spot footing wise all of a sudden. He stayed fairly foward through it.

17) Best movement through the corner of these next 3 - if I can hold it we usually can maintain this pace around the arena 1 time so far.

18) Pushing harder to get him through this sticky spot here - it's ever so slightly downhill and he gets deep and on the forehand through it...

19) Same spot as above, better this time than last, not as good as #17.

20) I and/or he have real issues making turns on this side of the arena - very deep square circles... :(