CrossUnder bridle

Tried the new CrossUnder bridle on Balthazar yesterday.  Worked brilliantly.  He had no trouble understanding it.  The only tiny hiccup was The Back.  He didn't get it at first and I probably wasn't as clear with my body/leg aids, relying more or less exclusively on the bridle.  He just stood there.  Hmmm.  Released with my hands, reorganized my thoughts and my body and asked for and got a smooth back.  So it wasn't the bridle.

Was running out of time and he was a tiny bit footsore on his nearside front (he'd been trimmed on Monday and I didn't bother with his boots) so only went through a few things before calling it quits. 

We did do some groundwork before I tried the bridle.  He was much much better with his full pass.  No, he's not sidling away like a crab at the beach.  He's hesitant and clunky but he's starting to understand and he really tried.  That was enough.  Ditto his driving.  Much improved.  Unfortunately his back up with my fingers on his chest or nose was still slow and hesitant.  There's a mystery in this because back in the yards I asked him to back  so that I could close the gate behind us and he backed with a whisper of a touch.  

Took him out for pick.  I really enjoy these times.  It's quiet and companionable, like old friends doing their own thing while at ease in each others company.  If I want to move on there is no dragging on the halter.  I click my tongue and start to walk off.  He may snatch that last mouthful but he comes too.   While he's eating I look around, often at him.  Now that he's starting to lose his wnter coat he's looking pretty nice.  His neck has a golden irridescence and there are hints of dapples on his barrel.  But I also look at the trees and birds and wallabies.  Watched 6 quail gird their loins to cross the bitumen.  They sent a scout ahead.  When he was still he was almost invisible, pressing himself flat against the ground.  When he deemed it was safe, he made the dash quickly followed by the other five.
This hidden world we are too busy and noisy and preoccupied to see.  Just standing around while your horse grazes - wallabies don't perceive you as a threat and cross the road to dine in the dressage arena, butterflies whack you on the brow as they fly past (not sure if it was a greeting, a mishap or a warning), willie wagtails threaten each other from a safe distance.  And then Balthazar raises his head and touches my arm with his muzzle before returning to eat, kind of like a friend who pats your arm over coffee.   Life doesn't get much better.