Collection and Canter!

After a month of no walking let alone riding, and then two of solid ground driving and collection on the lines, my thoroughbred had a marvelous breakthrough.  For those of you that have been reading (if anyone does) you will remember the bucks and insecurity my boy had when asked to canter.  Even on a lunge line or long lines, his canter looked  more like a rocking horse with cow kicks than a canter.  So we went to the crupper.  It started helping, and he loosened his rear end.  His topline grew, and it no longer looks like a tent. 

Last night, I drove him to warm up and got his head nice and collected.  He was bending nicely at the poll and yielding at the girth.  Then we went to saddle up in our new jumping saddle which fits him like a glove (he doesnt even flinch when I tighten the cinch).  A friend helped me on one end of the lunge line, and I asked for a yielded walk to both sides.  He yielded nicely, forgetting at times, but always responding to cues.  Then we tried the trot.  Again, he yeilded beautifully, even tracking out ward for a bigger circle.  He didn't bawlk like was the norm a few months ago.  Finally, i knew he was ready. 

I asked for a canter.  The first try, he got the correct lead, but felt unsure and stumbled down to his trot.  I rewarded his effort and we went back to a trot / walk circle.  The second time, he slipped right into a wonderful canter.  We did circle after circle of a beautiful collected canter.  All that Long Line Driving paid off!!!!!

Switched directions and he had no problem.  It was wonderful.  So our confidence was high, and we decided to ride free of the long line.  My friend stepped away and my TB and I trotted out and hit the rail.  I asked for the cantor again, and we were off!  It was amazing!  Such a wonderful treat after so much groundwork... must be because I'm a perfectionist!