Ken lesson 1

Madam was sore on Wednesday so had some massage and TLC from yard physio :hail: We hacked for the first time in weeks :banana: on Thursday - I say hacked, it was around the yard but she doesn't know that's not hacking! We went up the track, into fields (wimped out at pylon field, had a bad feeling about it) and Lorna was excellent company. Just kept my reins really loose and kept patting her (it really relaxes her if you do that). Was chuffed to bits - we negotiated two gates too, and we were chilled out :clap: Will keep hacking round yard until I feel confident to tackle roads again.

Physio lunged her for me on Friday and she was a good girl. When there was a spare Ken space tonight I jumped at the chance to have it. Really enjoyed it, cheered me up as having an emo day. He was really pleased with how much more relaxed and stretchy she is. Said we have been working exactly right and to continue (:hail: Fran) and that she needs long and low to a contact like Fran teaches us rather than on the buckle which was good :thumbs: (Obviously some buckle work in rest bits)

Trot we did some leg yield - half circle back to 3 quarter line, sort of on the diagonal and ask for leg yield just as we go straight. Also did shoulder in and she was fab :clap: Inside leg on, outside hand on neck, look through her ears, inside shoulder back but hips the other way. Need to keep her relaxed in lateral work and ask more gently with the leg.

Did an exercise in walk, I think it was quarter pirouettes? :dunno: Half halt and move shoulders round 90 degrees and then forwards. Need to think of that for the canter. Ken proclaimed that she had a canter and a half :biggrin: I said it was why I bought her, I couldn't ride it but wanted to learn how to! I need to go with the movement and hula, not shovel, and also SIT UP!

Worked on canter transitions too - get her in a quiet, steady sitting trot and sit for a few strides and then ask - sit UP in transition and allow her to go forwards into it, keep it crisp and not running. Asked if we could work on canter for our next two lessons as I need to crack on with it now - there is a slight mental block still so anything to help is good!
Flow was very pleased with herself, and quite rightly so :wub: