Ouch!

After getting Sydney nice and supple on Saturday, I woke up on Sunday and today with a very sore back. My shoulder blades are on fire and my lats are aching from using my back to tell him to lighten up. I think the soreness means I am doing something right!

I repeated the suppling work on Sunday and was thrilled that it all happened much more quickly. I got on him and told him that I meant business, and it felt like so many different puzzle pieces just fell into place.

I didn't worry about him bolting, feeling pressured, or checking out. It all made perfect sense. I was doing work that would help him be more comfortable, so I stuck with it. I insisted that he get light in my hands while still moving forward.

At the trot, life got really great for him. It was only when I wanted to work on the canter departures that he got tense again, but I took it as an excellent opportunity to show him what I wanted. Our departures didn't miraculously get perfect, but I walked away from the ride with a whole different sense of feel, and I think he did, too.

I have a lesson with JL this morning, and I am eager to show her what I am feeling.