Horses are a pain

I didn't make it out to the barn last night unfortunately, but I did get out tonight.  My mother tried to take some pictures of me riding, but they didn't really turn out.  We have some pictures, which I will try to post once she sends them to me this weekend, but it was so dusty in the arena that they simply aren't that clear.

What is clear, however, is how bad Walker is on the forehand in every gait.  I mean, he has always been one to really lay it on excessively on the forehand, but nothing makes that more apparent than pictures.

It really frustrates me to no end because I simply don't think we will ever see much improvement in that area.  He's constantly behind the leg, and even though I'm so happy with our efforts to get him more forward, he's still the laziest creature that ever called himself a horse.  He makes me work 10x harder than any horse I've ever ridden just to get one stride of a half-ok canter.  There's only so much a girl can do.

I've been debating putting him in training (you know, if I find money...and a trainer...), and while trainers are magical people who accomplish all kinds of wonders, I don't know what they can do with a horse whose whole identity is invested in being the way he is.

Essentially, every ride with him is:

WP training + lazy horse + horse with attitude + mediocre rider = disaster

I mean, I have switched out some of these variables with other horses and have had much more pleasurable rides.  And I own a goddamn Western PLEASURE horse.  Talk about irony.

Anyway, the weekend's plan is pretty simple:
- work on being in front of the leg
- start to take up a little more contact again (because the loose rein only exasperates the problem)
- half halt, half halt, half halt
- send out an email to my saddle fitter (because my Western saddle isn't helping either - too bulky, not enough contact)

Horses are a pain.  Literally.  My back hurts.  Time for another back appointment with my massage therapist. Oh the joys of equestrianism.