Getting down

This week I am asking more in the walk crossovers and coming into the spin when he gives me his back. He's very different right to left so that's giving me plenty to focus on.

I've also started loping one handed on big circles, asking for collection and going onto straight lines and stops across the diagonal. These are a pressure point for him so lots of repetition there for now.

Lise told me he looked really good loping today, all round and collected and fast. Amazing feeling. I love my Toby version 3.

A different horse

I can always feel Lise's eyes on us when I ride, but more often now there's a smile too. Toby is so tuned and so responsive. Our circles are getting smaller, he's giving a lot faster and tighter when I ask for flexion. His stops are getting lower and deeper, I'll have to braid his tail next. His straight lines are getting straighter. When he ducks or wobbles I straighten him and if he resists that or collection we circle to get rid of resistance and then off we go, straight and true. His two tracking is responsive to my seat and his transitions are getting more collected. Baby rollbacks are calming down.

His main stress right now is being collected, preparing to lope off from a standstill. He fusses and moves his hindquarters - those turn on the forehands for our exams spoilt that - so I finish with lots of standing and walk/halt transitions.

Also today we started making walk spirals to the point of crossover. If he wanted to spin he could come in after 3 or 4 rounds and he did want to. He was soft and supple and just angelic. My best simile is like a knife through butter. It was that easy for him.

It's the stops that are the most exciting but each piece of his training that comes together is mega satisfying.

Going into week 6

Plates are on, we've started small stops at trot. Flexions and suppleness are coming along nicely. Tob's mindset is good and about him, I'm feeling positive. Have to wait a month to see if my next visa is granted so cautious about that but thrilled with him.