Bath time!

Well that went well. I left it til late to ride today because of the heat and I've just come back in with expectations exceeded all around. First George did some very decent walk and trot within 25 minutes (a total record, very, very pleasing progress!), and then had a lovely bath which he seemed to really enjoy.

Then Jazz took a similar length of time to warm up some nice walk and trot and then give me what begin to feel like "proper" lengthened strides. He certainly knows what I want and is trying to do it for me, and he succeeds a bit better each time. It's interesting trying to teach it to such a "collected" horse. In one way it's much more difficult because he doesn't naturally stretch out the trot. But in another way it's much easier - because he prefers collection, he doesn't string himself out and then struggle to come back into balance at the end, as a horse like Tetley does, for example.

I took all his tack off, and then he just stood at the hosepipe and wouldn't go away all the time the water was on. I had to turn it off, and then he realised he wasn't getting any more, and wandered off. He and I are really getting it together right now. He is looking to me all the time for attention and guidance, and we are getting on like a house on fire.

Zippy got let off due to lack of time and energy. I'm working tomorrow........... and taking George cross country schooling on Tuesday :-))))) !!!! Can't wait for your comments on that one!

C