Wow!

Alas, I am so sorry it's been so long since I've posted.

I have been riding pretty regularly, and I felt as though I was making very slow to nothing in terms of progress. Well, I had my girlfriend finally get some videos of me riding Gunny, and I realized we have improved LEAPS AND BOUNDS. The small things I see under saddle are very unnoticeable to others. Gunny's movement is so much more relaxed, fluid, beautiful. I'm not doing too bad either. I'm making a conscious effort not to lean forward and to try to stay relaxed myself. I really think we're getting somewhere. Ryan's program of just teaching basics has helped wonders. I look at old videos and I realize that I was being inconsistent and going too fast. Gunny just didn't understand what I wanted... And I guess, I really wasn't sure how to teach her any other way than trudging through it. But I have finally had a EUREKA! moment and I think we've got the wheels spinning. Although I am not making her lope a ton (we're both out of shape), she does pick up her lope with leg aids, without a ton of fuss. She doesn't have leads or much control with it yet, but we're getting there!! I'm so proud!

Here's a video of us at work -- see? Different horse. (And a different me!)

Before

Almost a year later...

After!

Enjoy!! :)