Riding out of the arena with Hillary and my niece Brianna

I had a good day with the horses. My niece Brianna Taylor is visiting, so Hillary, Brianna and I rode today. Hillary and Brianna saddled their horses, Spencer and Poco, while I dragged the arena with the gravel rascal. Claire behaved beautifully today riding with Poco for the first time and the third time with Spencer. I trotted her out today several times and always away from the other horses. The wind was really blowing and she didn't seem as spooked at as she normally is with the wind blowing. She has gotten tons better in being calm under saddle. The funny thing she does is that when I stop her after we complete something hard-- like trotting out from the other horses, she flexes around to the left and touches her nose to my boot and I just pet and scratch her . She holds it there for a few minutes and I think she likes me reassuring her that she did a good job. She stopped once in the trot but I kept her going with my legs.

I am probaby going to go to split reins so I can 'spank' her a little when she gives me a refusal. On the whole she did great. After we rode in the arena for awhile, we rode out-- first in the back and then in the front around the house. Claire was only a little hesistant in the back by the scary trees, but I was surprised to see that she didn't mind leading out with the other horses following behind. She raised her head a little in the front, but I asked her to lower her head and she did. My confidence level is really going up and I am not as nervous any more that she is going to buck me off. I really need some advice on whether I should tie her head down to the saddle in the round pen. My horseshoer says that will set her head if I do it slowly--- tying it down gradually-- leaving her alone to find out that the release of pressure happens when she lowers her head. Any suggestions? I am downloading several videos. One is of Hillary cantering Spencer in a circle-- she does it beautifully! Two of me trotting out Claire.

P.S. I forgot to add that I worked with Claire in the round pen before riding and she joined up with me and was so attentive the entire session! She stayed closed to my shoulder and moved several turns with me until she stopped to say, "What's going on?" I was very pleased with her progress and the improvement in her willingness. Also my clickers arrived today--- I will start target training tomorrow!!