Lyric got his first under saddle lesson this weekend. Tara switched times with me so we could get a lesson in before leaving for the Gamecock football game.
We started out with some quick lunge work. I need to remember to use a steady pull to turn him tighter when he's trying to gawk and invert rather than short tugs. That'll probably help our stopping, as well! Lyric tried to cut in on the circle to avoid the poles and got a swat with the whip to remind him to go out. He's pretty hilarious when he overreacts. He turned the trot poles into a very interesting little jump from the canter. We didn't bother putting the side reins on so that we could get to the riding part!
We worked on not getting him to curl behind the bit. Gayle says his conformation will make it important to keep him from getting deep because he's built to facilitate curling. I felt like cursing my early riding instructors who wanted me to put my hands up forward near the martingale strap. As a result I ride with straight elbows and low hands, neither of which is good for dressage (or riding in general). I've made it my goal to get through an entire lesson without Gayle having to fuss at me for my hands being down or my elbows being forward. Gotta start somewhere! I think we'll make a good team once we get some of these basics fixed. Lyric's game for whatever and catches on to what we want very quickly. And at least for now, he doesn't hold my mistakes against me. :) What a good pony!
