The sun finally came out from behind the clouds as it rose on the eastern horizon this morning. It had been raining, sometimes with torrential downpours since Friday and I had not ridden, or even been to the barn, since my lesson on Wednesday.
But all had not been wasted. During this down time I managed to buy several well needed items and an older Crosby Prix de Nations, which is my favorite saddle of all time. I have been riding for a long time and until recently I always sat on a close contact or an exercise saddle. No matter the saddle, I have had three different ones, I do not feel comfortable on a dressage saddle. The high cantle is not only difficult to get my leg over when mounting and dismounting, but it also pushes me forward and I no longer feel balanced, like I do in this "new" Crosby. After riding for just a few minutes today, I decided to sell my Wintec dressage saddle, which is now listed on eBay.
Now the Crosby didn't fit Bouffe as well as the Wintec did, but the problem can be solved with a withers pad, which was one of the items I bought today. The other was a crop. My legs are just not strong enough yet to continually encourage Boufee to trot and also be able to use them for the other aids. I need some help and I hope the crop will be the answer.
One other thing I purchased was a pair of rubber riding boots, which will help me get through all the mud I experienced today while bringing Bouffe in from the field. They will also give me an idea of how riding in tall boots will feel. It has been so long since I rode on boots I have forgotten.
Well tomorrow is my regular lesson and I have a lot of things to work out with Boufee for the show on Sunday. I rode him today in a standing martingale, which did bring his head down enough that I hope it will be something I won't have to thinking about, while I am getting him to walk, halt and trot in the show on Sunday.
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