Riding on

 Drool

This footing makes Laz super happy to move out on.

One day, I hope he can trot out like this on any surface

I'd like it if he was landing more heel first vs toe, BUT I'll take that nice forward stretch in his right shoulder. 

Yea! 

Maybe that means all that stretching our Chiro showed us in paying off? 

I'll find out when he revisits this Thursday

I hopped up for a quick ride on Saturday, it was JUST TOO beautiful of a day to not.

I wore my old helmet while I wait for new to arrive

This field is FUN to ride in.

There are small hills that are great for walking, trotting, etc

BUT..it is also a field that excites Laz

 LOTS of room to romp in, and the last few rides, his attention on me have been less than stellar

 I did A LOT of walking, turning, stopping , backing up, walking out, etc.

I did ask for a trot a few different times and I got two bucks at my first ask, which I responded with more leg to push him forward and then by attempting to half halt him to get him to lower neck. He does this thing where he acts like he's behind the bit (even though we ride bitless, but you get the idea) and then head shakes/bucks. Once I push him past it, I get a nice lovely trot...but I'm NOT enjoying the bucks or bad behavior. I need to figure out WHY and then address it

For me, it's hard to rule out that it isn't something 'hurting' him and he's telling me, OR is it excitement, freshness? There is a FINE line between the two.

He's not pinning his ears, or kicking out, it's just like he puffs his chest, arches his neck and wants to buck BIG but offers a smaller buck.  The only problem is, the last time, he gave a few little bucks followed by a bigger one that unseated me

 I intend to get some video so I can SEE what is going on.

 After our ride, I decided to walk out on the smushy dirt road, since it's been MONTHS for some  trail hacking variation in our riding.

Laz was more alert, but like I said..it's been months so to be expected. He did great though, no spooks and even walked up to a large trash can to 'touch it.'

 We walked out to where the deer often hide but didn't see any

We walked through the brush and Laz snuck a couple of bites.

And then Mason channeled his inner OTTB and started racing around us

 In circles, alllll around us. 

Good thing it doesn't bother Laz

 Go Masie!! He's 8 and still thinks he's 3

Having fun, Mason???  ;)