Progress Report

I am sure most employees give their supervisors some kind of regular progress reports. In my case, I don't give progress reports to my principal; I give them to my "customers."  Of course, in the computer age, all of our grades are online which means parents can look up their child's grades whenever they feel like. It sure makes my life easier.

NOT from my district.

We don't kennel our dogs very often, but when we do, even they get progress reports. The first time we got one for Tobias, we were like proud parents of an Honor Roll student.

NOT from my kennel.

Both horses are about due for progress reports. Izzy's is definitely marked "great progress shown" while Speedy's says "not working to potential." Better shape up, Mister!

Izzy: This deserves a post all of its own, but we are making incredible progress every time we work. We're still not getting the canter departures on cue every time, but man is that left lead really coming along. I have had some incredible AHA! moments this past week, but like I said, that deserves it own post.

Canter in September

Canter in January

Speedy: He had three weeks off, but he did get hand walked daily. The time off is really showing. This is the first time in all of the years that I've owned him that a break brought about a loss of skills. I am actually encouraged by that since it shows we've been tackling stuff that's much harder than just trotting around with a steady connection.

He's been back to work for a week now, and while he's too mature for bucking and bolting, he has been ridiculously heavy and stiff on the left rein. I have been running through every suppling exercise that I know, but the return to that more elastic connection we had been developing has been slow. Last night I finally got a bit of what I was searching for.

This is what he has felt like this week! (photo from 2011)

Heavy rain is predicted for tomorrow which means I should try and get both boys ridden today, but my husband took Tobias hunting and asked if I would be on puppy patrol today. He doesn't ask a lot so I of course agreed. It's not that I can't leave little Miss Brienne of Tarth by herself, but at only 10 weeks old, we don't want to leave her on own for more than an hour or two.

She's a firecracker!!!!

Today is actually Izzy's day to be worked, but since Speedy has a big "thing" next weekend, he's kind of my priority right now. I'll share the "thing" as it's more set in stone. So even though it was a tropical 69℉ yesterday with clear skies, I am worried the rain will hit earlier than expected precluding my rides.

Whatever the weather in your neck of the woods, enjoy your own rides or shows today!