We're delighted to report that Tucker seemed his old chipper self today! We arrived just as Salvador was feeding everyone so we managed to remove Mr. T. from his dinner before it happened, rather than mid-bite. I expected some grumbling about that but he was surprisingly okay with the arrangement.
During our lesson yesterday with Jordan we discussed the merits of lunging him and decided to tack him up and introduce him to side reins. At first we lunged without them, just learning how to go around the circle on a giant leash, the point of which he didn't really agree with. But he complied so I put on the outside side rein, rather loosely. That added an additional element, part of which bugged him but it also intrigued him a little, I think. Shanna also bought Tucker a new bit, this one a 1/4" smaller than the last with a slightly different configuration. He seemed to take to it easily and gummed it a lot less than the snaffle we had been using. After he seemed to get the hang of one side rein I introduced the second one, also loosely connected. This didn't make much sense at all to him, and it was tough to get him moving forward. A couple of times he seemed done with the exercise and attempted to free himself with a buck, a kick or a rear. We laughed at him and shooed him on, reminding him that the purpose of the lunging was to move forward.
Stopping on a good note Shanna wanted a mini lesson while I was still attached to the other side of the lunge line, so she hopped on and trotted Tucker in a 20m circle while I gave small pointers. Her equitation is improving dramatically, and they both seemed more relaxed than usual. Shanna because she knew he'd easily stay on the circle and Tucker because he was relieved to have a point to this lunging madness -- a rider!
Again we ended that on a good note and because he seemed in such a good mood still I decided to hop on and take full advantage of his willing compliance. We had some nice trotting and a few cavalletti poles on the circle, then we did a handful of trot/canter/trot transitions. Building on what we learned yesterday with Jordan we collected, half-halted and entered the canter going into the corner on the rail, helping him to get underneath himself and pick up the correct lead. After just a few of those I praised him a ton and called it a night. After a light ride no bath was needed and we plied him with apples, wafers and fly repellant.
It feels great when we leave the barn on such a high! Tucker seemed pleased with himself, and contentedly munched his grain and hay while I loved on him a few last minutes (and Shanna managed to put all our gear away neatly). His mood tonight was refreshing and we're hoping that maybe we can school cross-country soon. It'll be good for all of our bodies and minds! We adore this fellow and endeavor to do everything we can to ensure his happiness. Today was a good day.
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