lovely ride

4 of us went out for a hack tonight.

We started off well as Molly in fact managed to stand to be mounted WITHOUT ANYONE IN FRONT OF HER. I was gobsmacked.

had to tap her to get her to follow the others, then she was really good. She got left behind when a gate closed in front of her (one of those tedious one's where it opens uphill and then swings back) but she didn't paddy at that, I even got her turned round to close it, the catch needed a boot to shut it. Then trotted round a field without too much upset. And the field had sheep in ..

After that we crossed the road and went round another field, that one she kept shying away from the fence for some reason.

further on, I set her away in canter up a hill, it was a nice steady canter, no tanking off, and brakes at the top (even if we did veer off away from teh gateway we were approaching - no gate, but some really deep ruts!).

and so one back home. She wanted to be in front all the way (she doesn't do behind except when she blocks) and was very well behaved altogether.

I was very pleased with her and so was everyone else! We're getting there folks.

But when I untacked, there's a line of what looks like it could be pressure from the stirrup leather, so that's not good. Will have to keep a close eye on that one ...