Orra is working on straightness (the holy grail), learning to accept an engaging leg without racing forward, and the connection in transitions, especially downwards. She is also one of those funny horses who has to be systematically taught half half halts. You know how with some horses, you half halt, and they respond. Some horses you half halt and they blow you off. And some horses you half halt and they fritz. She used to fritz all the time, but now is moving back and forth between blowing me off and responding. And this mare is so sensitive you have to PREPARE for the half halt. So, how the heck do you prepare a horse for a preparation aid? I'm using my voice first, "Easy," with varying success.
My biggest bugaboo is trying to sit her left lead canter. I can hover ok, but I'm not sure why it's harder than the right. My bad ankle is on the right. I recognize, as always that my saddle is a bit small--the issue of riding short backed horses. I can't go to a bigger saddle without disturbing her (and she's much more disturbable than I am.) So, any suggestions for sitting the left lead would be very welcome.
We're starting some forward and back in trot to facilitate half halts.
Forward--she shot out of the gates here and left me a little behind, but I was very pleased with her effort.
![Image](https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/12241416_10153764913668188_3706165951998746940_n.jpg?oh=0eccb608dd270ac37225d83f5ec3d2a1&oe=56B01B43)
Back
![Image](https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/12219319_10153764913658188_6010950893532362548_n.jpg?oh=2d2ecc44f2416c63725c2ed8c23c6f31&oe=56ECF75B)
Right lead canter--I'm adding my right leg to increase bend and I love how she responded behind. I also love her neck here. She's got a fine throatlatch and it's easy to get her neck too short. I am moderately vertical here, but it's tough to really sit back and push with the bulging discs, etc. in my back.
![Image](https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12235125_10153764913843188_2243988544368196261_n.jpg?oh=2d391b9afba155607b21acb4062c258e&oe=56E79CCF)
Left lead canter--I was struggling to stay back.
![Image](https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11034112_10153764913858188_7193537860433953734_n.jpg?oh=1c7f80d06d3b5c5822e5192a2edd08d5&oe=56E14216)
The stretch is coming. She is a short backed, tight backed high headed mare, and I'm ok with this.
![Image](https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12274242_10153764913663188_7782825671222595000_n.jpg?oh=0db31a605046621f812178bd56a5475c&oe=56F8963C)