Finally, after weeks of waiting for 1) good weather 2) Sienna's feet to grow out 3) my knee to have a good day 4) just plain free time, the planets aligned and I was able to try Sienna out English. I think she makes a cute hunter pony:
In addition to throwing a new saddle and closer contact riding at her, I decided to go ahead and throw a new bit and bridle at her, too. Why not overload the circuit board on the first day? She was a little unsure about the bit at first, but otherwise, she handled it like a champ.
We did lots of trotting out, figure eights, and worked on getting on the bit. I think she likes the freedom that comes from a less bulky English saddle, and, on my end of it, I think the closer contact was easier for her to understand. The second time we rode English, I asked for the canter, and it was so pleasant I didn't know what to do with myself. I stopped with the circles and let her navigate my perilous backyard, full of fencing, pipes from the underground tank, and trees. And we cantered through it all, no problem, stopping immediately upon my "whoa". Apparently it was more than my roommate's foal could handle, as she took off and ran around the pasture in a frenzied fashion for about 10 minutes, but Sienna didn't care at all. I think she's just so lazy that the thought of being stirred up by the crazed baby didn't even cross her mind.
As Sienna was listening so well, I decided to go out for a "hack" down my road. We had to stop briefly and eyeball a road sign that signified a sharp turn ahead, but then I asked her to go around it, and she was like "sure thing". We went up and down the embankment several times without issues. On our way back home, a rabbit ran out in front of us, and I locked up like I did with the deer from several posts back. Sienna didn't bat an eyelash. She definitely saw it, but the only one that jumped was me- and I don't think she even noticed that.
Man I wish Chica was sound so I could force someone to go trail riding with us!
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