Today I hopped on the German Pony stallion, Pernod, for his owner. He's a cool little guy with a big guy mentality. He's been working third level, and starting to school early pirouette and piaffe exercises, and offering some good steps at both. Today he came out and was fairly energetic, so I decided to use that energy and warm up with some easy half steps. He did them quite well, and then we went about our way.
Later the owner asked me if I always warmed him up in the half steps, and I said no. That generally I warmed him up at the rising trot, sometimes at the canter. It really depended on Pernod. Today he came out, and the energy in his walk told me I could just quicken the hind legs into some half steps, and there he was.
Yeah, if you're careful, and you listen, your horse tells you when he's ready for something new. Take those opportunities when they arise. It's so much easier than trying to create something that's just not in his heart at that moment!
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