Jumping Cotton, Take Two

After being totally unable to decide which horse to ride, I decided to ride Cotton. I think Trouble may have been a bit surprised, but neither horse did any calling for the other! Super!

Cotton was quite good. We trotted some cavaletti, popped over my half barrel jump, and "jumped" a crossrail. Didn't actually jump it, just trotted over it, but as long as it is FORWARD, I'm okay with that.

Cantering? My new plan of attack was to work on sitting trot (I always sit before I ask for the canter). During this, I'd be uber sensitive about her starting to root (drop her head and pull the reins out of my hands), to let her know that rooting is not kosher! After a bit, I asked for the canter. Got nothing. I tried the other direction, still nothing. Ears went back and had an ugly face, so I knew she knew what I wanted. I kept her trotting around, no getting out of work, even if we're not cantering! She finally gave me a nice canter (no rooting at all!) We went halfway around the arena, and then *I* asked for a walk, told her how very, very good she was, and then hopped right off. See, you canter when I ask and then we'll be done. For now, anyway!

One problem we do have is that Cotton is EXTREMELY girthy. I always just put the girth on the first hole and then take her for a walk, tightening it one hole at a time. Today, she nearly laid down in the cross-ties, after I'd put the girth on (first holes only!) A quick google search suggests:

1. Cotton is a brat
2. Cotton has ulcers
3. Saddle doesn't fit
4. Ribs are maligned and need a chiro.

I had this problem before and consistent, slow girthing seemed to solve the problem (had NO trouble girthing at the Poker Ride!). So I'll start with gentle girthing and see if the problem doesn't resolve itself.