Hot but Connected!

I started Ava with some dressage training the other day. It is literally going to be perfect for us! Dressage gives Ava something to focus on, strengthens her muscles, works her mentally, teaches her to respond well and calmly to my aids. I didn't wear spurs for the first time in a while and couldn't believe how well she did. I didn't even notice that I wasn't wearing spurs until now! It also makes me concentrate so much more, I couldn't believe how focused I was, I usually can't focus very well, haha! We started working on leg yields and then worked more on breaking at the poll, she can do it but won't stay that way. I also video taped one of our sessions and couldn't believe that she was actually becoming connected, it was lovely, no hollow backed pony!

I need to work on transitions a lot. I end up working in one gait for too long and basically just wear her out and get her too overheated, which I don't want. She has a lot of potential and in my gut it just feels like the right thing for us.

Not only did I discover classical dressage for us but I just found western dressage! How amazing is that?! It is still very new to the horse world but this intrigues me and we may end up doing this. The downfalls to doing WD is finding a western saddle that fits Ava for a decent price (less than $1000) and finding shows locally will be near to impossible. As for classical dressage I already have a saddle that would be perfect for Ava (less than $800 and english saddles fit her conformation better) and shows would be a million times easier to find around her. I will be thinking about it but for now we will just be working on the basics. This is so exciting! You can check out what WD is below, it is a simple test that someone is performing.

Here is miss girl in her new cooler, it finally came! I love it, I thought it would be more of a light blue but this looks just fine, I am happy with it. I have been wanting a cooler for quite some time and now it has come!