Reality

i have quite a hard time not becoming frustrated by obstacles i encounter during lessons.
today, the obstacle was a behind the leg, above the bit, downright LAZY pony. lack of impulse in a horse is probably my least favorite thing to deal with. My trainers won't let me use a crop, and because of the weakness in my left leg it's immensely difficult to ask for more forwardness. my left leg probably has roughly half the strength of my right. i do what i can to build strength in the gym, but the paralysis is just enough to keep it from building much muscle! 
today i rode Lusco, a gentle little Andalusian. he's adorable, gray (by gray i mean white) with big warmblood ears that are too big for his head and sweet big doe eyes. he's only about 14.3hh, apparently he was "too small" for an Andalusion, which is how he came to Ride On. he's an absolute gem manners-wise, and quite well trained, but that boy is LAZY! it's one thing if it's a night lesson and all the horses are feeling their oats, but during the day in 80degree weather, poor little Lusco just runs out of gas. he was practically trotting in place today. when we got to cantering, Bri told me to gallop for all she cared so long as i got him forward. well, i tried. as it were, he's a very comfy ride; like a little easy chair, but let me assure you, there was no galloping! 
during the warmup, Bri made us try lengthening strides. the thing here is to ask your horse to stretch his strides longer without changing the tempo of the gait. well, Lusco decided he'd rather not do that either; but he did start to lengthen once some poles were incorporated. all in all, today was tough; but Bri asked me to get some spurs so that's bound to help with the slowpokes. couple this with the fact that the past few lessons have been canceled due to wind, and i am flat beat. i came home and literally fell asleep for the next 4hours! i gotta get my fitness back up.

in honor of my Granny Kitty 

in closing, i'd like to ask everyone to please keep my beloved grandmother, Granny Kitty, in your thoughts and prayers. she is in hospital fighting pneumonia right now, and much of my family are there with her on the east coast. i'm out here in CA and miss her dearly, and wish i could be with them!! please send her good thoughts. i appreciate it!