Oh now I get it!

Today it was sunny and near 70 degrees, so obviously I went out to ride Hampton. I tried a few things differently today. 1) I lunged him for just less than 10 minutes. I have been lunging him for 15-20 minutes up until today and want to try to wean him off the lunging so when summer gets here, I can just hop right on. 2) I lunged and rode him over 2 ground poles. They were no big deal to him whatsoever. Next time I may up the anty and put down 3 poles. Today was the first day where I felt that Hampton has really started to "get" the whole riding thing. He was forward off my leg - almost to the point where I thought "Crap, he's got some energy today I hope he doesn't buck!" ... but I just let him go forward and he trotted around, ears pricked, happy to be doing something I think. He is almost steering off my legs and body now. I barely touch the reins to turn anymore, which I LOVE. He was just so quick off my aids today, and forward. It was wonderful! We have stopped the slow, "slothy" shuffle-like trot under saddle and he now gives me his forward, powerful trot. It feels like I'm floating over the ground. I was almost tempted to try a canter today, but I chickened out using the excuse that he needs his feet trimmed, don't want him to trip. :-) Of course now it's supposed to rain the rest of the week, so I don't know if I'll be able to get a trail ride in. Tomorrow Hampton gets his feet trimmed. He wasn't tripping nearly as bad today as he was on Sunday. Also, his eye cleared up just fine. *whew* I also put him back out in the field nekked ... so I have no doubt I will have a large mud-ball tomorrow.