Bonbon Walentine

Another beautiful day. The horses are moulting like crazy and Spring is definitely here!  (I'm probably going to regret saying that).
I took Remy up to the school, warmed him up in walk, first on a long rein letting him stretch and relax, and then on a shorter rein, lots of bend on small circles, stretching the outside of the body. I practiced shallow serpentines down the centre line, changing flexion, one rein to the other, and he's starting to change much more fluidly.
I worked more in trot today. Now he's starting to find a better balance, I can keep the trot for longer periods and we're starting to be able to rebalance within the pace when necessary. Towards the end of the session, it really felt like he was relaxing into it more, his transitions became softer, and we did a little sitting trot.
I had a little in-hand session with Bonbon, practicing flexions to each side at the halt, obtaining the release and letting her extend her neck, keeping the mobility of the jaw.
This is the vid from our ridden session yesterday. It was the first time in the school alone (Jim's been coming in with us) and I think she did really well.  My stirrups felt a little short, but I can't believe how horrid my leg position is!

Starting ridden work

I took Remy down the track today and he gave me a lovely peaceful ride. He was forward going and soft in the hand. He looked at the scary garden but didn't hesitate and remained energetic but calm.
It must have been a chainsaw day, as, first our neighbour was chopping down a tree just off the track and then as we continued, we could hear chopping and sawing coming from the nearby wood. Remy wanted to have a look and stopped to peer through the trees, but, again didn't bother about it. We went down the the little fishing lake. We can't get through there so have to retrace our steps home. This is the track where the last couple of times we've trotted and then cantered and I could feel Remy anticipating this so I asked him to walk and he settled really quickly.
As we approached home I stopped on the field and schooled him for a few minutes. We've not done this before and at first he was distracted and wanting to look in all directions, but he soon relaxed and we worked on small circles getting him as soft and relaxed as he's been in the school. I'm chuffed to bits with him!
I then had a short groundwork session on the yard with Bonbon asking for good even bend and softness on the circle followed by moving her shoulders and quarters.  I then asked her for a few steps of giravolta, the first time we've tried it and she moved both shoulders and quarters nicely.
I then had a short sit-on, asking for the release then keeping it very simple with walk and halt transitions. I'm enjoying these early ridden sessions, she's giving me such a lovely soft feeling through the rein. Long may it continue!