Confidence at the canter

Since coming off Drogo a couple of months  ago, I have been very hesitant to ask for the canter. I HAVE asked, but it has not gone  well. He would crow up or abruptly stop. My shaken confidence didn't allow me to push him past the resistance. Last week was the first time since coming off that we had any sort of good canter work to speak of. Which was only a few laps around the round pen each way, but we worked through the abrupt stopping, so it was good. 

Yesterday we built on that, this time working past a couple of crow hops (aka I didn't stop riding when he crow hopped). That sounds so trivial, but I really have been so nervous and unsure of my riding abilities. Which is strange to admit "outloud" because I've never been so affected by coming off a horse. 

I am finding more and more that Drogo really finds security in light contact. It helps him balance, and be more confident in his movements. 

I'm pretty happy with how he is going in the medium port snaffle. He still opens his mouth, but seems to be getting more comfortable in it. 

Overall, I'm happy with our rides lately and optimistic about the future. It's a good place to be.

 

A very sweaty post workout Drogo