Nox is progressing well, despite the cold, stormy, snowy weather. I haven't ridden in a few weeks, since the temperatures haven't been above 20 degrees and Nox has been bouncing around the ring like a ping pong ball. Instead, we've been free lunging and practicing ground manners. Nox is still having a tough time lunging to the right. I'll start him going right and he protests; attempting to change direction and racing around in an uncoordinated fashion. I keep the pressure on him until he's sort of moving in a circle, and then I make him change direction. To the left, he can walk and trot smoothly without any hesitation. He's learning to balance better at the canter as well, and I increase his canter time each session. After I've worn him out a little going to the left, I turn him around again and make him go to the right. The second time is always better, and usually Nox will walk and trot to the right in nicer circles. I haven't asked him to canter to the right yet. He needs to build up the muscles on that side and I don't want to make him sore by asking too much too soon.
Nox still asks to have his tongue rubbed at every opportunity. Best Husband Ever and the barn trainer are the only people besides me that will indulge him - everyone else thinks it's too odd or gross!
Hopefully, spring will arrive soon and I can start riding again. I don't mind giving Nox a break from the saddle - it's probably good for him, actually - but I do miss it.
Below is a video of Nox doing his "Black Beauty" impression. I did not teach him to do this, and he has never done it while I've been riding, but he loves to rear when he's turned out. Sometimes it seems like he's trying to stay up as long as he can, and other times he'll finish the rear with a twist and leap... he looks like the famous Lipizzanner horses I saw when I was a teenager. It's fun to watch!
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