Hackamore Heaven & Rain (finally!)

So after I professed my love for the nathe bit yesterday, I rode Justin in a hackamore for the first time. Katie had suggested it during our last lesson because Justin tends to get a bit quick and tosses his head occasionally. I'd tried a hackamore with Gold a few years ago, but I think the combination of Gold's problems and my inexperience with using a hackamore just led to a big messy situation that made us both more frustrated. But with Justin, it really seemed to be the answer to our prayers!

I literally rode with loopy reins the whole time, and he didn't even so much as take one quick step. I really felt like I could ride him with my legs, seat, and stomach, and we felt more in sync than we've ever been. It makes sense to me that Justin would only get quick if he's unhappy with the bit/rein pressure on his mouth, because even the very first time I rode him I noticed how sensitive he is to the bit. (I actually noticed in the spring that he went much better when I simply rode him in a halter and lead rope than in his normal bridle.)

So I have a newfound love for my hackamore. I also have a newfound love for Flower, the mare that bucked me off a few weeks ago. We has a phenomenal ride today, she didn't pop a buck once and was really focused and willing. She usually gets distracted by her herd that gets turned out right next to the indoor arena, and she will obnoxiously call to them several times throughout our rides, but she didn't do that at all today! We jumped a bit too, and OH MY GOODNESS. This mare can jump! She has a huuuge jump, is honest, bold, and forward, but not too quick at all. I was very impressed. I think she is going to come a long way very quickly.

Benny was a charm today, too. I've switched him into the nathe and a flash, and he is really learning to soften and move into the bridle very well. I was getting worried because he was developing a pretty massive under-neck, but I've been lunging him a couple times a week which seems to be helping. I jumped with him yesterday, which went super! Benny is just such an awesome and sweet pony. I can't wait to find him a little girl in the spring! :D

I also started riding another horse of Alyse's yesterday, a big, young, bay gelding named Piccadilly I believe? He's very cute, big hunter-type. He's very green, but he doesn't seem to have a bad bone in him (knock on wood). I'm hoping to get a few of Alyse's guys to a schooling show or two before it gets too cold, but we'll see how that goes.

Justin's getting today off, still have to ride Lock and baby Corbin. I'm contemplating buying a weeks subscription to FEI TV so I can catch the WEGs, but it's $30, which is an awful lot of money. Oh horse world, why must you be so expensive?!