Riley update: It's all good

After a few false starts this spring, Riley is coming along and we're back in consistent work. It is so. fun. I feel progress, although I feel compelled to fix some of the issues that I'm bringing to the table: posture issues and stabilizing my upper body, eliminating "rein creep," relaxation, sitting trot, and Oh, I could go on.

We took footage of my last lesson and while Riley was looking good, I was all over the place. Watching him go so well with me up there flapping around like I'm trying to take flight made me realize how kind he is!

One amusing incident I'll relate -- we had a cold snap a week or so ago (gorgeous blue skies and windy), and Ri was a bit jumpy. I was walking him around the indoor which has side and end doors that open. Well, he spooked at something, I let go of the reins, and off he went right through the open doors. Just outside, two boarders were embarking on a trail ride, and one of them had the presence of mind to block his path. Riley, with nowhere to go, noted a potted ornamental grass plant and proceeded to pull it right out of its container. He was working his way down the stalk when I came and grabbed his reins. He looked so cute standing there, happily chomping on the long grass with a clump of soil dangling from it. Relief and amusement!