We are flying again

Big improvement in Jazz today. I gave everyone yesterday off because I went to help a friend with having her horse put down. Very sad, but it has to be done when a horse has severe arthritis in all four legs. She went quietly, though it did take minutes for her to stop blinking, which is always difficult to have to watch. At one point I stood in front of her eye so that the owner couldn't see it when she came out of hiding while it was done. The mare knows me well, so it was better that her owner did not upset her by being there herself in the state she was in.

Anyway, the day off seems to have done Jazz good because there was a big improvement in his "sit" in canter today and consequently he got flying changes too. And some nice medium trot  and then we stopped, I didn't want to do too much, just have a happier time for us both.

Ace was good. One kick out when I tickled him with the whip to send him forwards in the trot. He is beginning to work out how to set and not use himself properly and I am beginning to work out how to stop him doing it without getting strong or angry. He's very good for me! I have had him ten months now and not once have I lost my temper with him. That's a first in horse-ownership for me. 

Radar and I have just got back from a long hack in the wonderful weather. It was completely still, with a crystal clear blue sky. Cold but beautiful.

Everyone is in the field now, and I intend to go for a snoozzz zz z