A little over a week ago we couldn’t trot more than 2-3 laps of the (small) arena without having a stalling and balking episode. Last night, I cantered on Ace for the very first time.

I didn’t really mean to do it. I didn’t intend to try for weeks yet. But my horse was in a great mood. He was more responsive than ever. We did a ton of trot work without stopping even once (he threatened a few times, but moved forward happily as soon as I reminded him he needed to keep going). So I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask and see if he’d be at all willing to give it to me.

So, I asked in the turn to help him get his lead and bend, and he picked it up fairly easily and gave me a good four strides. I didn’t push it or ask him to keep going; just getting a little bit was good enough. We managed to pick up a few strides of canter three times in a row. After our little cantering episode, his trot was even more energetic, which felt great.

On top of that, I traded horses with Dave who I knew had been wanting to take Ace for a spin. And Dave got him to do some sideways!

Oh, and I learned a week ago that I needed to step back and not ask for too much all at once: forward, straightness, bend, etc. I’ve spent our last four rides asking for not much other than forward. And I realized last night that suddenly, we were going straight down the long sides and not overbending on the turns like he used to. We fixed some problem areas without even trying! How cool is that?

My horse is improving in leaps and bounds. I’m improving in leaps and bounds, which probably has something to do with it. He’s teaching me how to teach him. And we’re working really well together. And he loves me. I couldn’t be happier.

Stay tuned for a picture post of Ace’s new digs. Dave rewired the fence line so that Ace could have access to his stall from his turnout. Now that the weather is getting bad, we wanted him to have the option of going inside if he wanted.

Of course, Ace still stands out in the rain unless we lock him in. No big shocker there, though.