Canter!

But first a little back story. Yesterday I took Coriander out for his second trail walk. He did much better that time, he was very relaxed and kept trying to graze. I figured a horse that wanted to eat was not a horse that was freaked out. So after checking in with the land owner (Mark) to make sure someone would be around (just in case), I saddled him up and off we went.

He was great! He wasn't nervous at all and seemed very happy to be out exploring. I had planned to just walk but he asked to trot and it was the most forward, impulsive trot I've ever gotten from him. It was so much fun!

After that I was rarin' to go today and so was he. I think he genuinely has a good time on the trail, it seems that endlessly riding around in a ring was boring him to tears too. We were trotting along nicely when he asked to canter and next thing I knew we were having our first canter together! It's a good thing I got off his back because he's got a BIG canter, those hindquarters can really push. Technically I didn't ask him to canter, I just allowed it so I still have to teach him the cue, but I'm still really happy about it. He gave me a very smooth transition, he didn't buck, he didn't get strong, and it was quite easy to bring him back to a trot. What a good boy!