Clipping

Mad for Smarty’s been looking a little scruffy, so I pulled out a pair of clippers and set to work cleaning him up. As with most things, Smarty was perfect with the clippers. I didn’t do anything major, just cleaned up around the fetlocks, whiskers and bridle path. I don’t think he moved an inch the entire time I was working around him. So yeah! I was thrilled with how perfect he was; so many horses are just awful about being clipped.

I’ve continued to ride Smarty over the past week and have been pleased with his good behavior. Just recently I began taking him outside the arena and around the property, taking him through some trail areas at Bel Canto. He’s been great! And, much progress has been made with him longeing to the right; Smarty has almost got it down.

Enjoying spring

Outside of the round pen

Smarty continues to progress. I’ve ridden him several times since my first ride last Tuesday and he has done well each time. Today I rode him entirely outside of the round pen, primarily in one of the dressage arenas at Bel Canto. Outside of the round pen Smarty was a bit more amped up; very willing to walk forward with little encouragement with ears pricked and alert. As usual, he was pretty awesome about the whole thing. Smarty only had one little freak-out moment when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. I got a few pictures of our ride!