And where you go, I'll follow...

I rode Max today for the first time in at least three weeks. We've had our two and a half weeks post-op break from riding, and in the week leading up to his op I was concentrating on ground work. I'll be sore tomorrow, I reckon.

We probably only did about 20 minutes to half an hour - didn't want to push him on first day back into it. We had intended on going on a mini hack, following The Ent, but Max was a little clumsy on his feet and definitely showing signs of insecurity, and we could hear a lot of dirt bikes roaring along our usual bridleways. Sadly, this is always so in fair weather at the weekends.

Then we happened across a resting paddock, a bit hilly, very empty, in familiar territory, but quiet. Ent asked the YO if she'd mind if we worked Max in there, and she was agreeable, so that's what we did.

We walked in and around, then a bit of trot work, and finally, a few grand little canters. We're not brilliant at cantering yet - both need to work on our balance, but we'll get there and we're in no rush to work it out.

Max's best game today was following his leader (the Ent). Ent was walking backwards, facing Max, and Max was mirroring his every move, turning whichever way the Ent turned, slowing down or speeding up to match the Ent's pace, with no direction from me at all and very little rein contact. I couldn't let him go completely because the second I did, cheeky monkey got his head down and started grazing!

I told Ent he should be quite pleased with that display of equine trust and companionship (and playfulness was involved too, because it is Max that we're talking about).

I was disappointed to feel my feet creeping up and back while riding the trot, which means I was gripping up and pitching forward. Sigh. Thought we had that one pretty much licked, but I need to take a few steps back and get the stability ball out again!

Finally, at the end of our ride, Max had a shampoo. He did NOT like it. First time he's been hosed down this year, and although he was getting accustomed to it at the end of last summer, he's obviously forgotten and was most affronted. Although saying that, he did remember his old trick of trying to get the hose in his teeth to launch a counter-attack.

Still, the dust, sweat and grease is off him, his tail is clean, and that's got to feel nice!