Pass Meets the Creek

Friday night I was warned by multiple people that Pass had discovered the creek in his pasture. Knowing he's a big water baby this made me happy. What didn't thrill me, however, was that he had also found the sand bank next to the creek and had obviously found this a good place to roll after splashing around...I knew he was a slob though, so I'll take sand over stinky mud.

Saturday evening I wandered out to ride him for the second time since he moved home. I went out to get him and though he was dirty, he wasn't disguisting (sand falls off, mud doesn't). I tied him in the stall, brushed and tacked him and not once did he paw. I took him over to the arena and hopped on. It was a good feeling, riding him around. He was soooo calm and laid back, he never once spooked at anything or got distracted as we walked around. I then gathered him up and asked him to trot and it became clear. Pass was lazy.

I'll say it again: Pass was lazy.

I had to pick up a crop and actually use it. I don't think I've ever ran into this Pass before. After working through our gaits I took him over some fences and he was nothing less than stellar. Not once did he buck or take off after. It was lovely.

Since he's obviously settled in nicely, I'm now looking at what we really need to work on.
     1. Transitions (both up and down, and within gaits) - Pass enjoys sticking his nose in the air, whether you use rein or not.
     2. Using our hind end - I'm hoping once he gets in better shape he'll start using his hind end again, regardless: Someone needs to be stepping under himself more.
     3. Flying changes - Though he's pretty good with his leads, when he lands wrong I want to be able to fix it.
     4. Lateral movements - He knows quite a bit, but I think we can definitely improve.

As for our upcoming future, I'm going to ride him tonight again, hopefully working on some of the things above. Then I am hoping Wednesday that I can take him cross country schooling for the first time. I have a feeling he is going to love it.


Sorry this blog hasn't been too exciting. Pass has been a little angel :)