Freezing cold again today, which made for an empty indoor arena. I focused on keeping Gunny on the rail and letting her keep her head down by herself, but correcting her if she went of the rail or raised her head. She did quite well. There were a few spots that made her want to go to the center, but I tried to catch them with my leg and hold her on the rail, to set her up for success. I also worked on lengthening and shortening her stride (we have a long way to go). But, she was excellent today, very relaxed, very obedient. I got my new Reinsman full cheek sweet iron snaffle bit yesterday so that's what I'm using now. It's a much better quality bit than the stainless steel one I was using.
There's an expo up in Cadillac tomorrow and I might head up there to visit my friend. Maybe I can find a new saddle?
My goal for the next time I ride is to be able to go around the arena twice without having to correct Gunny at all from going off the rail. That'll take some work, but hopefully it can be done. I also want to have the goal of working on her stride length, but keeping her head down in the process. She tends to hollow her back and raise her head when I ask her to lengthen her stride. If the saddle is uncomfortable to her, hopefully the new pad will make a bit of a difference for her, until I am able to afford a new saddle.
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