Teddy Log: #136 - Christmas came early!

Teddy Log: #136 - Christmas came early!: Teddy and I in the sun today I received an early Christmas present from Steve today - a mounting block - which has solved my mounting prob...

#136 - Christmas came early!

Teddy and I in the sun today

I received an early Christmas present from Steve today - a mounting block - which has solved my mounting problems because Teddy doesn't move away from it. I have no idea why I just know that it's FANTASTIC! Thank you Steve! LOVE YOU HEAP!

I have been riding Teddy over the last two days as the weather has been perfect. Yesterday it was in the GP saddle and today was in the stock saddle. He clearly prefers the stock saddle but its a little more difficult for me to rise at a trot. Regardless I think I will stick with it, I'm sure I'll get used to it. We also had a cantering session today and apart from the head tossing Teddy did great! I was a bit tense at the start but when I told myself to get over myself... well, myself listened and I was really pleased with our ride today. It was the first real sweat for the year for Teddy.

Tomorrow's weather will be good too so more riding! I have a lesson on Thursday and my holidays start on Friday! I'm having a great week!

Teddy Log: #135 - Going sideways isn't that easy

Teddy Log: #135 - Going sideways isn't that easy: Teddy and I did some ground work today and I was trying to teach him to go sideways so when in the saddle, if I want to open a gate I can g...

#135 - Going sideways isn't that easy

Teddy and I did some ground work today and I was trying to teach him to go sideways so when in the saddle, if I want to open a gate I can get him up against it or just generally moving into canter leads with him.

We started playing the Touch It game and he will pretty much touch anything with his nose when I ask and tap it - a fence post, table, ball, Steve etc. Then we did some circling and he did much better though he is a bit of a crowder of my space so we just need to work on that. Then when we were practising going sideways I could get him to do the front end or the back end but only occasionally both. Mostly he would start sideways while I walked but then immediately swing around to face me and stop; like he needs to at a stand still. I must be confusing the messages. I need to review how to teach him this as I swear he was looking at me with concern that HE wasn't getting it right. It was almost like he was asking, "What exactly do you want me to do here?" Poor bugger.

Don't worry Teddy, you're a genius so you will get it when I know how to ask you properly.