15 Minutes of Fabulous?

The barn last night was packed full of well packing for the move Friday and getting the girls out and still making them move their feet even though I am not riding them. I got most of my things together and in the trailer, minus some hay and heavier stuff that I didnt want to carry all the way over to the trailer.

I went and caught both of the girls and stuck Pickles in the stall to eat and cross tied Lily and got to grooming on her and then realized Pickles had some crud and I needed to give her a bath in Microtek. So after she finished eating I grabbed her real quick and hosed and scrubbed the crud while Lily waited and then threw her back in the stall.

Okay so the good part....I took Lily out to do some ground work and lunge and after streching for a bit we get to work. I have always teetered on the theory that if they are being good you shouldnt push it too far. So after about 15 minutes of her being FABULOUS I debate working her more or ending. I decided to end on the fact that she did her ground work and streches great, trotted over the cavelettis and really used herself and then we worked on a bit of cantering over a raised pole. Pickles apparently got the memo and was just as wonderful!

So here comes to the question " Do we stop fifteen minutes of fabulous or settle for an hour of okay?" I have always been one to end on good notes but sometimes I find my horses not being fit enough. So I have begun trying to formulate a way to keep them fit but no push their button excessively. I know there are things to work one but I have always had success with baby steps and one day at a time. I read about my friends who push and push but it seems they always backfire becaues they strive for too much and are not happy with the moment of perfection.

Food for thought....