It's in the way that you use it

I rode Tob yesterday for the first time since we got back and he was lovely. Soft and relaxed and plenty of impulsion. Lise told me not to ride in spurs "if I wouldn't, you shouldn't!" Were her exact words! So I lunged first and then we walked and trotted big circles. All good.

Today I lunged 10 minutes then got on, same again. He's been lungeing in a lovely shape so I'm really happy he's maintaining that with me on him. I started some smaller circles in walk and trot, asking for more flexion which he gave. I've come to the realization that my horse is more broke than me at this point. I have to get my memory and my commands in order but he's still got everything right there. I held my inside leg a fraction too long instead of just bumping him and he popped into a lope. So responsive, I love it.

Finished up with a lope each way and just getting him used to the feel of plates on with a couple of trot to whoa.

How did I repay him for his hard work? A bath. Poor baby tob :(