Nice rides and good lessons

March 26 / 2008 06:51 PM Filed in: Dressage | Trail Riding
Jane and I have been going on some nice trail rides with Belle and Kelton, both of whom are doing great. They love getting out and seeing the sights. We've been sticking to fairly easy, flat trails, but I look forward to getting up in the mountains with the Fjords later this Spring.

I've been taking Kelton to dressage lessons and we're doing pretty well, although I worry about how much of that sort of work is good for Kelton's old injury. So far, so good, but I know I should be working her more regularly in between lessons to help develop her fitness level.

I go back and forth over what degree of work is best considering that I don't want her to come up unsound again. I can see the benefit of having her work correctly, so that she uses her hind legs evenly on both sides and goes straight, rather than falling over the left shoulder, but I also know that it's hard work for her. As much as I'd love to be able to progress in dressage and go to some shows, I don't want to sacrifice Kelton's soundness to get there! And I really enjoy trail riding her. I guess I'll just continue to see how it goes. I'll have more time for regular riding this summer.
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