Training Assessment on Cilla - 28th Feb 2011

Moved off well to the left at walk, trot and canter with a nice free movement. However, she showed some tension when asked to move out to the right and it needed some perseverance and persuasion, there seemed to be some tightness in the right neck and shoulder and this translated in the first ride.

After a some lateral flexion and hind quarter yields she relaxed in both directions she and managed to free up and move out. The brace to the right stayed but got noticeably better as she was ridden. I feel she needs to be ridden with little interference from the riders hands until the directions and lightness become more solid over the course of the first few rides. I think that asking for the hind quarter yield as a means of getting directional control will aid her moving off correctly and increase suppleness in the rib cage.

She had  tendency to rush into her canter a little but this should improve easily as she becomes more confidant with the riders weight and balance.