Lily

Yesterday, I put a saddle on Lily for the first time since she injured herself. It is too soon to be riding her, but after having handwalked her for several weeks, it is time to start longing her at a trot. I rarely use side-reins when I longe a horse, but they do give me a little extra leverage and control if the horse decides to play on the longe line. Since I don’t have a surcingle, I run the side-reins from the bit to the billets of the saddle.

So far, Lily does not seem tempted to play. However, I only asked her to trot five circles in both directions the first day, and eight circles in both directions today. So far, she looks blessedly, beautifully sound as she trots, with no strain apparent afterward in the injured leg.