New Bit, Fancy Funs

 Today Funny got a bit fitting by Kelli. She checked her bridle and said it would suffice. We could tweak things to make it better, but this one fit well enough and didn't seem to have any major glaring issues. She put her in the Oscar baby fulmer to start and we headed up to the arena. 

 

We warmed up at the walk and Funny already felt good in this bit. It seemed like she was more willing to take a connection and it was even in both reins. And she was chompy but quieter. She seemed more willing to reach down and use her topline too. So then we went to the trot. And it started out the same, then it got a little rowdy, and then we settled nicely. She really was quite good today. She still wants to lean in and she still wants to go fast and she still wants to blow out a shoulder or fishtail in certain spots. BUT... admist all that, she felt more balanced, more willing to reach and keep the contact, and more even in both reins. I tried to do my homework and pretend like I was holding the polo wrap. I'll definitely use it the next few rides, but didn't want to try to deal with it while doing bridle fittings too. I really like this bit for her. And I think she liked it too. She kept chomping but it seemed quieter and less frantic. We had a good canter both ways too and she picked up the left lead first try. I did almost counterflex it to make sure I kept the outside rein but it worked. And then our trot got a little rowdy again too but we got it settled. 

 

Overall I'm really pleased with our ride today! She had a few strides of super fancy and sit and push vs just running and we're both getting better and quieting things down and clarifying. When I can use my core, she's even better. 

 

After I was done Kelli was giving me some suggestions about how my pelvis wants to tip one way, I collapse my right side, and I'm almost asking her to bend right instead of left with my body. We were trying to find a way to get me to open my right rib cage without just lifting my shoulder to my ear (which, ha, does nothing for my rib cage and instead just distorts my elbow and head). so I was trying to get Funny to stand still so that I could do different things and have Kelli tell me if I was accomplishing it. Like... raising my right shoulder didn't help because I just lifted my shoulder to my ear... so okay, maybe if I lengthen my left leg, that will straighten me... which seemed to work but Funny would NOT STAND STILL! Argh.. come on girl... We had a little bit of a battle about it... and finally she briefly stood still so.. then I decided we were done and I would just have to figure it out off the horse. But basically I need to lift my right shoulder/upper body to open my right rib cage, pull my right hip back and bring my left hip forward (which seems like my left hip is just stuck and doesn't move any direction) and then turn my sternum to the right/inside. I did accomplish it but felt incredibly crooked... like way overbent in my head and neck. But... I think I have to over do it to correct it. And I'm sure it's not as crooked as it feels. 

 

After we left the arena I let her trot the XC fence (the small one) as a reward. She landed in a nice polite canter! Good pony! I'll have to play with this bit with jumping too! After I turned her out she went to investigate Marvin in the round pen. She took a drink of water and then as soon as she turned away from it, she pinned her ears and ran at him. Then proceeded to pin her ears as she sort of chased him around the roundpen from the outside. Ha ha.. She's such a bossy butt!! Then she proceeded to rub her butt on the boards. Doh! 

So... we're gonna order her that bit and hopefully it'll arrive soon! Here's to scores in the lower 30's instead of upper 30s' and 40s for 2025!! :)