Eole - january 15, 2009

Wintery morning (0°C), in the open arena. Rode together with Coquin's owner, with our coach. Great session. It is so good to have a special fit with a horse, like the one I enjoy with Eole! He was quite warm. Walk session was brief, and then we worked at posting trot, with the aim of getting relaxation and letting surplus of energy out. Actually, Coquin did not really used it (being so 'diesel engine like'), but it was good for Eole, who soon had his nose in the dust and got nicely relaxed, while 'giving' his back. At sitting trot, we did shoulder-ins both hands on the middle line. Eole was light and cadenced. Then our coach asked us to do small half circles at trot with haunches-in. It demands a lot from the horse, and on the right side, Eole protested slightly with a small kick of the inside hind leg. Just to tell me that my request was too strong and/or too early. I could compare this with Milha's reactions which were much stronger the other day, and expressing deliberate resistance against the movements requested, although they were much less demanding. As an aside, I have received very good advice from a friend regarding her case, and I have started lungeing her. It looks like this is a promising way to get out the current dip!
This was the only incident. The canter session was very gratifying, when we worked on passade again. Eole is really coming closer and closer to half-pirouette, in lightness.
As the session was shorter than usual, I tried some work in-hand in the covered arena. At halt, lifting the head to horizontal and asking for legerete; lateral flexions;lowering the head down to ground. Then at walk, shoulder-ins both sides which were lovely. I did not use a stick, but just my fingers at the point behind the girth. I felt so close to Eole, that it gave me the wonderful feeling of being , not on him, but yet with him. I know work in- hand should come before, not after mounted work. But it was a first try and I will certainly repeat this experience!
We went back to stables happy.