a little sunshine under the moon

So I finally got to go ride on a weeknight again! Yay! I've been feeling so grouchy and depressed lately, but last night was supposed to be warmer (though it was actually pretty dang cold when I got to the barn), hubby was home at a decent time, and I felt less sick than I have, so off to ride I went. I free lunged Trudi for a few minutes, which was a fantastic idea- she wasn't crazy with pent up energy, but she was really tight- once she loosened up I tacked her up and climbed on. I thought it might not be a very good night because I was cold and hadn't ridden in like 5 days, but I was wrong. She was a star. And frankly, I wasn't so bad myself. I don't know how or why but I seemed to be sitting very well- nice and tall with my butt in the saddle and no bouncing. Part of it I'm sure was that she was already loosened up, and maybe part of it was that all the layers of clothing kept my normally slouchy self propped up. And maybe I've finally remembered how to sit again, after like 15 years...
Anyway, I had some of the feeling and control of her hindquarters like I had in my last lesson- it wasn't quite as good but it was probably the best I've felt working alone. We worked on getting a steadier rhythm at the trot (also one of the key points from last lesson) and I put a cone near boogeyman corner and went around it- gave Trudi something different to look at there and a guide to go around- seemed to help quite a bit- we had only a couple of small spooks. Anyway, trot got connected and through in the back, with that nice steadiness in the bridle. The canter was a surprise though- much better than Saturday- I was able to get her more balanced and less rushed. We finished with three really good trot canter transitions to the right. It was such an uplifting experience- I really needed the pick me up. Trudi seemed proud of herself too. She was like "Oh hey, yeah, I guess I am pretty great." Weather is supposed to be ok this weekend too, so I'm happy.