Posting in off course because I’m not sure quite where we fit in. Now that Mr Fjord is 5 and that we moved to an indoor arena, I really can start working with some consistency.
Long Term Goals - to have a brave, all around pony partner to have fun with and grow old with; he’s 5, Im 38.
Short Term Goals - getting and keeping him fit! Also continuing to build our relationship and skills.
No Rush Goals - Schooling dressage shows, hauling out to ride different trails, hunter paces, and take him to the National Drive someday.
Up until moving to our new barn, riding wise we have been split ~ 75/25 trail riding/ring work. Much less overall riding in the winters and “springs”. We worked with a dressage trainer every couple months from Fall 2020 to Spring 2022.
At the new barn, that ratio will mostly be flipped. I now am working with another dressage pro at the new barn weekly. My goals to improve my riding and continue to bring him along working through the different level dressage tests.
Mr Fjord also drives, I have a harness and am shopping for an easy entry cart. I’m hoping once I have the cart, the woman I worked with last year could travel in to do lessons a couple times a month. Until then, I work ground driving in. I don’t know where the driving may take us but an open to the possibilities.
I also do regular ground work with him as well as stretching and trick training/games. We’ve been working on lunging too and are getting much better there.
The only consistent day when we have something planned is Tuesdays for lessons. Other than that, I have plenty of time to do all the things with him and he seems to respond well to variety.
I would love any suggestions on how I could best maximize my time and break the week up so that neither of us get burned out and he gets enough off time too. Short of trail rides, most sessions with him I keep from 20-40 mins or so. His attention span is growing but I don’t want to push too hard for no good reason. We aren’t in a hurry for much.
