What Happens When Too Much Dressage

So here's a secret that I'm pretty sure Redheadlins doesn't know: sometimes when she's not at the barn, Courage and I don't work very hard.

Like yesterday. Ostensibly, we were working on "rhythm". Basically that means whenever he fusses, I kick instead of pull and we just go forward. I generally try to keep his head down (because muscle development), but I don't really do a lot with the contact. In fairness, I think most of my instructors would say I don't do much with the contact anyways.

Yeah, that teeny tiny dark spot. It's a hoofprint. His. Hoofprint.

So we're trotting and cantering and actually having a pretty decent ride. I wanted to jump a little, but I was short on time. We're both a little bored of flatwork at this point anyways. We come cantering up the long side on a floppy rein and see a tiny dark divot in the arena.

My Brain: ALERT! Strange footing! Recommend alter course to avoid going over.

My Body: Meh. What could happen.

Courage: LEAP STRAIGHT INTO THE AIR LIKE A GOOD JUMP JUMP HORSE COURAGE WILL SAVE THE DAY

My Brain: WTF WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE

My Body: Meh

Courage: LEAP AGAIN JUST TO BE SURE AIR TIME IS THE BEST TIME

Dirty being a relative term

Because he is awesome and not dirty, Courage just leaped forward in a straight line, which left me just sitting in the middle of him like some sort of sky-leap-riding badass who is afraid of NOTHING. We landed in the same nice, rhythmic canter we started in. I made him walk and trot over the divot of death a couple times and all was well.

At least he can leap in a good rhythm, I guess. Bonus points? Lins might say we wouldn't have had that problem if he was on the bit and working.

I say it means too much dressage.