Bonita – Week 9

I just counted and I have done seven rides on Bonita as of Monday. I’ve seen a huge improvement from the first to the last. More than I would have thought. If I have as much progress this week, it will be just grand! I’m going to start making more regular posts now that things are moving along. I was keeping my journal during the week and posting on Sunday, but I just don’t like waiting any more. So here are rides eight and nine… I’ll continue to post, as I write.

Tuesday – I took my Klimke-Miller dressage saddle and my good bridles out today. Paisano’s Stubben bridle fits her very nicely and the saddle seems okay too. I tacked her up and lunged in the outdoor arena, while Pete was being worked. She was calm and responded well to walk-trot-whoa. She did quite a bit of looking toward her pasture, but that was all.

I took her inside, hopped on and we had some good walking out. There were a few times that she stopped and I had to resort to tapping her with the whip. She didn’t look pleased, but also didn’t overreact or get mad. She just walked on. She stops on a breath cue. To the point that I have to careful not to sigh loudly. I focused more today on keeping her forward and walking out. I also did things like rustled my jacket, took out my cell phone, both while she stood and also walked. She flicked her ears and tensed up, but didn’t spook or jump.

As I’ve been asking her to walk out, I’ve also been thinking of trot and today I got a few trot steps. Her head came up and she was obviously a little unsure of the feeling. I asked again and got a few more strides. I was happy with that. A little more walk work and some whoa and we were done. I hopped off, loosened her girth an hung out a bit. So two firsts today, first trotting and her first ride only in a snaffle, no side pull.

I tried a running braid on her and she looked quite spiffy! She stood totally still for it, with her eyes half closed. She liked it! The evening ended with some hand grazing. Bonita has turned out to be a soft, sweet little mare.

Posing

Ooh, where to start?

She's always alert and wanting to know what's up.

Wednesday – Tonight we rode outside. There was another horse lunging in the outdoor. I was glad for us both to have the company. I lunged Bonita a few rounds each way, then got on. Steering was just okay. Whoas were perfect. Bonita wanted to stay close to the other horse, but we went around the arena instead. When they went back into the barn, Bonita fussed some, tossing her head and not wanting to go past the gate, but it was really pretty minor. I rode her in the pattern of Intro test A, at a walk. At one point, I was thinking, “We will be trotting here.” and she offered a couple of trot strides! After the halt salute, I called it quits. It was short, but still a good ride.