Lulu

I've written a lot about Hwin but haven't said much about Luthien yet. It's pretty simple; she's awesome! I never thought I'd wind up with a three year old friesian mare, and it all happened rather quickly. Much to the concern, shall we say, of my trainer. I didn't really consult her much on this prospect, which she was annoyed about, and rightfully so. But I have also always kinda done my own thing. Why else would I be riding a draft cross in upper level dressage??

Well, here we are, five months later and in the middle of winter. I work Lulu about four days a week. One day is just in hand work introducing things like the whip and reinforcing manners. Two days are brief lunging sessions where I either canter her or put on the side reins. The fourth day I get on and walk and trot around. I have not yet cantered under saddle. I'm a little bit of a chicken, but I also just don't think she is ready for it mentally or physically.

She always approaches her work with enthusiasm and loves it. You can tell she loves interacting with me and tries very hard to do what I am asking. The hardest thing about her is getting her to go forward, as her default when she feels anything amiss is to stop. Sometimes rather abruptly! Which isn't a bad thing, but does make it hard to do much. I do know that that doesn't mean she is lazy or insensitive. If anything, she is incredibly sensitive because she can feel the slightest shift in my seat or increased tension on the rein. Her answer to that right now is halt and that will just take some time. In the mean time, at least I know she is safe!

I am starting slowly with her because I don't want her to become sour to the work or scared of it, and I want to do it correctly. Or at least, as correctly as I am capable. I don't want to just jump on and start doing stuff. For starters, she still has a lot of developing to do physically, and I don't want to break her! Also friesians have this thing about having their head up in the air and their backs down. I want that reversed and it is going to take a lot of careful doing right from the get go. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

When I was looking for another horse, I wasn't looking for a "dressage horse", I was looking for a fun horse to do dressage with. That is exactly what I have found. Even Katie has come around and loved her from our first lesson together. I knew Lulu would charm her, and that I made the right decision.