Problems with a slightly more fit, athletic horse

Taran has always been a bit spooky. Things in the woods, stripes on the road, a divot in the arena (or heaven forbid, a tiny spot in the arena that didn't get groomed)... all of these are cause for the hairy eyeball treatment and perhaps a bit of a spook. Luckily Taran is of the opinion that energy is best conserved, so bolting isn't really in his repertoire. And because of that, I've never really worried about my ability to stay on during his rather pathetic attempts at being naughty.

Until recently.

While I know that Taran is nowhere near as fit as even a Novice level eventer, he's still probably the most fit he's ever been in his life. He's also realized that he can use his body in new and inventive ways. Lateral movements are now a Thing He Does. Turn on the forehand/haunches are a well-understood (if not well executed) concept. Unfortunately, some of these new movement are used in a rather untimely manner, and of his own accord. So we get classy moments like these:

OH MY GOD WHO PUT THAT WATER BOTTLE THERE??? (This was a split second before he teleported left to X)

SWEET BABY JESUS THERE ARE FLOWERS AT A 

Please note that there have been flowers at A since we started riding here almost a year ago. They are the same flowers that have always been there. They have not moved or changed in any way. Weirdo. Maybe he should have been a cutting horse?

On the bright side, when we're not spooking at random "scary" things, the good moments are getting better.

Medium trot is looking so much more powerful and connected.

And way more "up" in front. If only I would stop leaning back!

Even our moments of disobedience look less... disobedient. Erm... as long as we're not spooking at all the things.