Groundwork in the sun

Yesterday for the first time in a long time I was really excited to get down the field and do some work with Alfie. It was a beautiful sunny day and felt like a good day to get a bit more serious.
Originally I had in my head that once I  had the all clear on the x-ray of my arm, I would start groundwork in earnest, but it hasn't really worked like that. I have done bits and pieces over the past few weeks as the weather has allowed and actually I realised the x-ray showing the bone had healed was a good psychological 'tick' for me, but doesn't really change anything, I still have to be extremely careful. So, working with Alfie has kind of crept up slowly.
However, today did feel like spring was in the air, the field was dryer, and was the start of some renewed enthusiasm on both our parts.
I also found a book by Marty Marten on Western training which starts with lots of really logical groundwork and which I worked through with Alfie before backing him, so I have decided to work through that again. It gives me a bit of focus in our training and the exercises are really meaningful and I can see how they help later on when riding again. They concentrate on respecting space, flexibility in the horse and moving his feet from the slightest pressure/body language. When done well its like dancing and feels amazing (need to work to get that good though! Not quite there yet!!).
Today I chose 3 to work on. First was disengaging the hindquarters, which Alfie remembered well and was quick to do with no contact at all on the rope halter. The second was moving his front quarters across and leading past me then continuing on a small circle around me, like a mini lunge. This he did eventually but it took him a while to work out what I wanted and I had to put quite a bit of pressure on him, swinging the end of the rope towards him which made him really grumpy, but he slowly remembered. It was interesting to note he found this easier and picked it up quicker on the right rein. He was also more rounded on this rein. He seemed to be stiffer to the left and was also walking into me with his shoulder more rather than stepping out around me.
It was also a reminder of something I realised a few months ago after thinking about his reactions to various things - if he doesn't understand and I am putting too much pressure on, whether that is physical pressure with a rope or pressure with my body language, he gets really pushy and grumpy, ears back etc and forgets his manners. Before, I thought this was just him being arsy about working, but he was doing it today when he wasn't quite understanding. I took a moment to think how I could make this clearer to him by guiding him more with the rope and also my body language and also backing off the pressure as soon as he took even half a step in the right direction. This really worked for him. He had space to work it out and then was really happy to do it. In fact, we put it all together in the end and did lead past me out on to a circle, then disengage his hindquarters to stop, then move his forehand across in front of me and lead past me going in the other direction, all in one fluid movement and without any pulling on the halter, just me putting myself in the right place.
He was happy to work and so cuddly when he knew he was doing things right. Really seemed pleased to be pleasing me which was lovely. He stood with me for ages having a fuss.
It was funny when I first put my hat on (being safety conscious today with hat and gloves). He couldn't work it out and kept sniffing it all the time - I suppose it is a long long time since he has seen me wearing that!!
Felt good today to be working together.

leading past and out on to a circle. Working well so no pressure on him at all.

Not quite understanding so blocking me completely with a grumpy face!

And happy and relaxed again. Check out the listening ear!