Unthawing the Snowman

Trying not to repeat the previous week's mistake, I rode WallE yesterday. It was the first day in three days that the water troughs were not frozen with two inches of ice. I rode in the dressage saddle and stupidly forwent the airvest. I thought, 'we will just have a nice welcome back hack, nothing crazy.' 

WallE started off sluggish, but steadily increased his energy as our ride continued. Since he had not been ridden in a few days and it was cold, I wanted to give him time to stretch his back. We worked on a longer rein, encouraging him to stretch down and use his back. We had several changes of directions, circling, half circling and weaving in and out of jumps. He was very good and we gradually added some canter work in. 

The trouble started when he heard the Kabota come down the driveway. This symbolizes when he is going to get fed. And he wanted me to know, he thought he should be done. Thus the headshaking and stomping of the feet commenced. He was pushing through until I began asking him to leg yield in and out on a circle.