More Ride Recap Haikus

The last couple of weeks have seen my rides start to transition over from strictly conditioning to a combo of conditioning and schooling. We're starting to incorporate more 2nd and 3rd level movements and collection into rides. This sort of thing is making haiku ride recaps a bit harder to compose, but maybe that's for the best. I find they force me to really distill the important parts of each ride!

February 7

Slightly frozen ground.
A short walk up frozen hills,
still muddy beneath.

February 8

Finally relaxed,
A sound and straight horse at work,
Pushing while withers lift.

February 10

Sticky stifle hitch.
A stiff rider looking down.
Tooth grinding tension.

February 12

Early frozen morning.
Quiet arena, quiet brain.
Hard work, happy horse.

Bareback riding helps
Identifying hollow spots.
Damn horse throws me left.

February 14

Stupid cold morning.
We excel at manning up.
Also stellar ride.

February 17

Holy crap half pass!
Great both directions and gaits,
Even half halts left!

Also, two changes.
Inverted and rushed, but clean.
Maybe hopes for bronze...

February 18

Gave last estrone shot.
Maybe why this ride was rough?
'Cause going left sucked.

 February 20

Transition Hell Day.
Right lead canter departs sucked.
Now suck slightly less.

Conditioning ride,
In fancy double bridle.
Support for tired horse.

February 21

Happy forward horse.
Surprisingly quite supple,
and good in bridle.

Tracking right today,
Needed more left thigh contact,
Keeping shoulder-in.

Tall friend hopped on Pig.
Her legs so long she laughed,
Kicking him in the stifle.