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So I didn't think we had gotten that much rain. Apparently it rains more at J&J. Holy mud. I was feeling pretty good about Axel not having gotten mud fever too bad but I might have spoke too soon. I didn't pull him out to look at all, I figured no reason to do that til it dries up a bit. I ran out at lunch and Cody was conveniently placed by the gate so I didn't have to walk in the mud. I was too lazy to try and get the mud off his feet so we ventured down the road without boots. Surprisingly he went down the driveway almost at a normal walk speed. He was a little looky but he was way more willing to head away from the barn than he has been in the past. Don't get me wrong, we weren't moving anywhere quickly but he was fairly calm about life. We stuck to the ditch for the most part until it got too wet. Made it down to the neighbors mailbox and then turned and went past the driveway to the other neighbors first drive way.
Proof of our first ride outside of the year
I did put on my spurs but I didn't have to really use them much. I just figured maybe having them would give him a little clearer instructions. We mostly worked on "walking straight and facing forward means no contact on the reins and no heels in my sides." So all in all it was a decent ride. And gorgeous out to boot.

Nice day for a nap
Last time I made it out to the barn to ride I met Cody in the pasture taking a nap. That old horse has come a long way since I've bought him. A few years ago there's no way he would have let me walk up to him in the pasture while he slept let alone sit on his back like I did the other day. After I hung out with him for a few minutes, took a bunch of pictures, and annoyed him to the best of my abilities I finally put the halter on him and he reluctantly got up.
Cody rolling in front of a ground pole pattern
I wanted to set up a series of poles to work on turns on the haunches and forehand but we don't have quite enough poles in the barn and they aren't very long so my pattern was a little small. We did walk through it a few times but next time I'll have to make it bigger and probably video tape the session so I can see what he's doing. I tried to work him to the left as much as possible since that's the direction he has the most trouble with. He really hollows out and counter bends going left and doesn't pick up that lead of course. I thought maybe the chiropractic adjustment would help a bit but even on the lunge he wouldn't get that left lead. Back to the drawing board I guess. One good thing that came out of it was that I'm more comfortable with the old boy. It always felt like he got so worked up after one attempt at cantering but after watching Nancy ride and seeing how not worked up he really was something must have clicked for me and now it doesn't feel like he's freaking out nearly as much. So I guess one thing at a time.