Our lesson last week was the sidepass. Since I've entered me & G in our first competitve trail ride, I wanted to work on sidepassing to objects. G, being the fearful horse that he is, is claustrophobic. He will sidepass, but don't put something next to him or ask him to stand while I try to unlock a gate or open the light box in the indoor arena. I rode him in the dressage saddle which was great, as he can feel my leg cues better then in my western.
At first he wasn't quite sure what I was asking. Hmm, do I back up? No she's not asking that. Hmmm, maybe step forward one step? No, not that either. Okay I'll try moving away from the leg. Hey, she told me I was a good boy, that must've been it! We've worked so much the past few months on smooth backing, and G being the ancipating horse that he is, thinks if I'm keeping him from forward motion it must mean back. We managed to get I'd say three really nice passes in either direction. So we decided to work on canter transitions. G was doing really well, but it was hot and buggy. We gave him lots of breaks in between everything, but he was a sweaty boy in need of a cool shower.
Last night I tacked him up in the western saddle figuring we need to practice in it since that's what we're using on Sunday. Well. He was great sidepassing to the right. I was so excited as Val was giving a lesson in the arena and called over "that was really nice Kate". G was actually moving his shoulders and hips at the same time, woohoo. We've got this down I'm thinking to myself. Now I ask with my right leg and outside rein to move to the left. G steps back. I shut down his movement. Try again. He steps forward. I shut him down and ask again. He starts backing and took about 5 steps before he would halt. I feel like I'm using the same amount of pressure as with my left leg, but he's obviously not feeling it. Trish mentioned that her horse isn't as responsive to leg aids in the western saddle either, and that he side passes in one direction better than the other. So I decide that we'll stop asking for the sidepass to the left and head for the arena gate. It took about 4 minutes, but I got G to stand while I unlatched the chain, walked through the gate (though I had to let go) and sidepass over the gate so I could relatch it. I'd set up the stanchions and rope gate on the other side of the barn so we headed over and worked on that some. G really dislikes having to walk up beside "things" but after the first five minutes of walking to it, positioning him parallel to the rope and standing still he then stood while I removed the rope loop. I asked G to back up rather than go through the opening and asked him to stand. I took the rope rubbed it all over his neck and shoulders and even flipped it back and forth over his head like a jump rope. Nothing, stood perfectly still. Okay we're ready to try again. It took 3 attempts but we finally managed to open the gate, walk through the opening and closed the gate. WOOHOO!!! He's getting praised like the dickens. I asked him to repeat the exercise and the second went smoother. I praised him and walked him away.
We headed to the other side of the barn where the plank bridge is. It too took several attempts before he would even put one hoof on it. Several more attempts and he half heartedly walked across it. This is good, we're making progress. What a good boy, let's go cool off and call it a day. I put him in the cross ties and look at his hooves. Oh crud, he's due for a trim. Soooo, I pulled out all my equipment and went to work. Since it was a cool night I decided to just get it over with and do all four hooves. Boy was I pooped when I left last night! But G's tootsies are done, and we're ready to try the gate again tonight or tomorrow if we get rained out.
The competive trail ride is Sunday, and they are also are predicting rain :(
We've also signed up for a centered riding clinic with Deb Moynihan that's being held at our old barn on the 28th. It'll be fun to see our ex-boarding friends and I'm curious to see G's reaction in "coming home again" so to speak. Hopefully he won't think he is home and decide not to reload to come back to his new home.
Showing posts with label Dressage for the Gaited Horse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dressage for the Gaited Horse. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Dressage Lesson with Val
Tonight was our first hour lesson with Val (the new barn owner). Wow! She had me using muscles I haven't used while riding in a very long time. After warming G up, we had a small discussion about my goals with dressage, and whether I wanted to trot G under saddle at all. I told her that he lunges at the trot and we've done pole work on the lunge, but I've never tried it under saddle. So, she said since she planned on doing poles anyway, let's give it a whirl. As we approached the poles I went into a two-point position and urged G forward. Walked the first two, trotted the last two. We managed to get four strides of trot in both directions so we moved on to leg yields.
I'm finding working with G in an outdoor arena is a little more work than in an indoor. There are a lot more distractions so I have to be vigilant and keep him focused on our sessions. Birds flying through, landing on the rails, cats & dogs walking by, horses being hand grazed, etc. It's really good though as its teaching us both how to stay focused on the task at hand. Leg yields weren't his best, but I discovered (through Val's eyes) that I wasn't softening my hand on the inside rein. Once I made that adjustment, we got a few nice cross overs. The little nuances of leg and rein aids is amazing. Having someone who pays real close attention to my hands/elbows and legs is awesome. After leg yields we moved onto the canter.
One of the other adjustments Val made was in my seat. I have a tendency after years and years of being a western/trail rider to allow my pelvis to rotate back slightly. Once I made the adjustment and sat straighter and stayed aware of my "triangle" throughout the ride it made a huge difference. At the left lead canter my thighs were burning! Hadn't felt that since way back in my jumping days either. On the 5th circle round I brought him back to the walk and said "oooowww - my thighs!" Val smiled and said "good, that means your sitting properly now". Thanks Val, NOT! No actually, this is a good thing as it will help work the right muscles and hopefully help me in losing some weight. Since I started riding a gaited horse I don't get the same workout as I used to. I think trotting over poles will also help in that regard. Between the two I was sweating last night and it wasn't that warm!
On the right lead G was having a slight issue with his right hind. Not sure if it was the pole work (way different for him under saddle) or the hill work we did two days prior. I asked him to gait and had no issues whatsoever, but I still checked him when I dismounted and found his right stifle to be a little tight so I'm thinking trotting over the poles may have been the culprit. We may need to do this in moderation and build back up. In any event, it was a great first lesson and I think that we've reached another level in our training. I'm excited over the prospect!
Tonight I'll go back and work the walk with him in relaxation.
I'm finding working with G in an outdoor arena is a little more work than in an indoor. There are a lot more distractions so I have to be vigilant and keep him focused on our sessions. Birds flying through, landing on the rails, cats & dogs walking by, horses being hand grazed, etc. It's really good though as its teaching us both how to stay focused on the task at hand. Leg yields weren't his best, but I discovered (through Val's eyes) that I wasn't softening my hand on the inside rein. Once I made that adjustment, we got a few nice cross overs. The little nuances of leg and rein aids is amazing. Having someone who pays real close attention to my hands/elbows and legs is awesome. After leg yields we moved onto the canter.
One of the other adjustments Val made was in my seat. I have a tendency after years and years of being a western/trail rider to allow my pelvis to rotate back slightly. Once I made the adjustment and sat straighter and stayed aware of my "triangle" throughout the ride it made a huge difference. At the left lead canter my thighs were burning! Hadn't felt that since way back in my jumping days either. On the 5th circle round I brought him back to the walk and said "oooowww - my thighs!" Val smiled and said "good, that means your sitting properly now". Thanks Val, NOT! No actually, this is a good thing as it will help work the right muscles and hopefully help me in losing some weight. Since I started riding a gaited horse I don't get the same workout as I used to. I think trotting over poles will also help in that regard. Between the two I was sweating last night and it wasn't that warm!
On the right lead G was having a slight issue with his right hind. Not sure if it was the pole work (way different for him under saddle) or the hill work we did two days prior. I asked him to gait and had no issues whatsoever, but I still checked him when I dismounted and found his right stifle to be a little tight so I'm thinking trotting over the poles may have been the culprit. We may need to do this in moderation and build back up. In any event, it was a great first lesson and I think that we've reached another level in our training. I'm excited over the prospect!
Tonight I'll go back and work the walk with him in relaxation.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Dressage Lesson 3/17/10
Another thing that I will miss when we move is working with our trainer Debbie. She has been such a trooper learning about gaited horses and she is the most positive person I've ever worked with. Unfortunately she only travels if there are 2 or more students at the barn. Since the new barn owner also teaches dressage, there is no way for Debbie to pick up a new student there (not fair to the barn owner). My hopes are that Val is as good and positive as Debbie.
Our lessons have just gotten better and better. G is finally holding a shoulder in for more than 4-5 strides, which means I'm getting more consistent with my aids; while he's getting stronger. I finally feel like I'm holding my position better and I can feel the difference it makes in G's performance ~ especially at the canter. We had the best upward and downward transitions and G really worked hard mentally and physically. He proved to me once again that when I ride with total purpose, he delivers everything he has to offer. My horse has heart and I feel blessed that he has turned it over to me along with his mind, and now his body (thanks Liz).
The old English Proverb "SHOW ME YOUR HORSE AND I'LL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE" is so dead on accurate. Your horse is a reflection of you. When you are out of balance, so is your horse. When you are braced, so is your horse. When you are scared of something, so is your horse. So if you work toward ~ balance.....when you are in balance and centered, so is your horse ~ relaxed.....when you are relaxed, so is your horse ~ confident.....when you are confident, so is your horse. As I've watched myself progress with G, so much of what I've read has been proven to me first hand. The book "There Are No Problem Horses, Just Problem Riders" by Mary Twelveponies was one of my favorites. Although I don't agree with all her training methods, her core philosophies mirror mine....Problem Horses are in the vast majority of cases the results of incorrect handling by humans. Not necessarily done on purpose, but simply by humans not knowing or caring enough to learn. Not stepping back and seeing the horse for who he/she is and asking the question "what can I do differently to help my horse find the right answer".
My journey started 6.5 years ago with a horse that many felt was way too much horse; too uptight; too flighty; too crazy. He made me step back and ask myself the question "what can I do differently to help my horse find the right answer?" and then I had the patience to work out the answer. When I read first time horse buyer books that state: "it can take up to a year for a horse to bond with its owner" I cringe. Because it can take much longer ~ each horse is so very different. But if you take the time upfront during the buying process to get an understanding of the core personality of the horse you're interested in bringing home, the odds get better that you'll have a chance at working out the relationship.
A relationship between human and horse is so very much like a marriage ~ you have to bring as much to the relationship as the other party, and you have to be willing to work it out when things aren't so rosie.
Tomorrow is the first day of spring and God is going to deliver another sunny 70 degree day, which is such a blessing in the Northeast this time of year. We've got our first trail ride of the season planned to leave the barn at noon tomorrow ~ can't wait. Happy Spring everyone!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
It's Still Raining...but We're Smiling
We had a 7 o'clock lesson tonight. The footing was still choppy so Debbie coned off two areas where horse's have been tripping up. This was probably the best lesson I've had to date! Why? Because we're finally at a point in our training that we're now dealing with "finesse" of the aids. I figured I was still a year away from working on finesse, lol!
I know this has been double the work for Debbie, simply because she has had to train me and my horse at the same time. It has been interesting to experience going through the phases of training. In the beginning aids are strong, exaggerated, almost over the top. Getting G to respond was similar to pulling teeth some times. He would always end up doing what was requested, but it was always a discussion. So many aids had to be turned up a notch here and there to get his attention.
So tonight it was about learning to give and take the rein in the halt - keeping G from going behind the bit (his fav thing to do at the halt) and the right amount of leg to ask him to come into the bridle. Sounds simple, but with a horse like G he makes you work for every little success. We had a couple of solid shoulder ins where he held the correct angle (of course I'm learning what I need to do to support it) and his canter transitions were super prompt with a lighter cue. Only problem? I didn't time my cue properly and he picked up the wrong lead. Debbie's was so happy with this. I'm like what? Her response was that this was the most obedient to the aids she's ever seen G. She said that he's now responding immediately which is correct, now that we have his response, I can work more on my timing. Ahhh, so that's it! She also added that what she is seeing is a horse and rider that compliment one another - that means that we're finally coming into our own. Who would've thunk it 6.5 years ago.
I'm truly learning the importance of the supporting aids, and how a little thing like softening the outside hand can lead the horse to drop a shoulder in a leg yield. Feeling how to correctly use my thighs against the saddle for support during the shoulder in. And the other great thing tonight is that I made a lot of corrections in G's position without even thinking about it. Debbie commented several times that she noted I caught him drifting, or dropping a shoulder, etc. The fact that I'm finally instinctively doing some of these things right as they happen, puts me in a place I wasn't sure I'd ever get to. Hands up, thumbs on top, even seat bones, weight in thighs, elbows back, heels down but not bracing, centering my core, breathing out, shoulders back, hands soft, elastic contact, follow the horse. All this chatter that goes through your brain for a loooong time. To finally have some of it "just happen" is just a great feeling. I think I'm finally becoming a competent rider!
I know this has been double the work for Debbie, simply because she has had to train me and my horse at the same time. It has been interesting to experience going through the phases of training. In the beginning aids are strong, exaggerated, almost over the top. Getting G to respond was similar to pulling teeth some times. He would always end up doing what was requested, but it was always a discussion. So many aids had to be turned up a notch here and there to get his attention.
So tonight it was about learning to give and take the rein in the halt - keeping G from going behind the bit (his fav thing to do at the halt) and the right amount of leg to ask him to come into the bridle. Sounds simple, but with a horse like G he makes you work for every little success. We had a couple of solid shoulder ins where he held the correct angle (of course I'm learning what I need to do to support it) and his canter transitions were super prompt with a lighter cue. Only problem? I didn't time my cue properly and he picked up the wrong lead. Debbie's was so happy with this. I'm like what? Her response was that this was the most obedient to the aids she's ever seen G. She said that he's now responding immediately which is correct, now that we have his response, I can work more on my timing. Ahhh, so that's it! She also added that what she is seeing is a horse and rider that compliment one another - that means that we're finally coming into our own. Who would've thunk it 6.5 years ago.
I'm truly learning the importance of the supporting aids, and how a little thing like softening the outside hand can lead the horse to drop a shoulder in a leg yield. Feeling how to correctly use my thighs against the saddle for support during the shoulder in. And the other great thing tonight is that I made a lot of corrections in G's position without even thinking about it. Debbie commented several times that she noted I caught him drifting, or dropping a shoulder, etc. The fact that I'm finally instinctively doing some of these things right as they happen, puts me in a place I wasn't sure I'd ever get to. Hands up, thumbs on top, even seat bones, weight in thighs, elbows back, heels down but not bracing, centering my core, breathing out, shoulders back, hands soft, elastic contact, follow the horse. All this chatter that goes through your brain for a loooong time. To finally have some of it "just happen" is just a great feeling. I think I'm finally becoming a competent rider!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
It's Raining, It's Snowing.....
Thank goodness for an arena, which I had booked for 7. So although I felt lousy today I decided if anything a ride would be good for my soul. And I was right. G is getting stronger and it just seems to be coming together more and more with every ride. Tonight we did our usual warm up, asked him to gait - got a wonderful head bobbin' flat walk and a moment of running walk before I brought him back to the walk. I'm trying to keep his mind soft, so I don't want to push. We did some circle work - spiral in, leg yield out and then worked on our canter transitions. Man oh man did he leap into the canter tonight! He came up and then dropped his head down and I got those rocking chair canter strides that are just so unique to the TWH.
On our second attempt we were coming around the arc of the 20 meter circle and all of a sudden I felt him trip up. He caught himself and took a couple of funky little steps, so I asked him to hoa and then walked him quietly. He was fine. This is the second time this has happened in the same spot. The arena footing is getting deeper and now the center appears to have a crater working. Last week when this happened I thought G had just lost his balance, but to have it happen in the same spot again, nope not balance. I mentioned it to one of the boarders who was getting ready to ride after me and she said she had the same thing happen a couple weeks ago with her horse and then again yesterday. Sure enough, in the same location. Hubby hasn't been allowed to roll it all winter due to the cold and it really needs it bad! I'm getting so I'm afraid to canter G in there anymore. The two ends of the arena aren't so bad, but the footing is getting looser and I'm afraid of suspensory injuries. Hoping we can get in there in the next few weeks and groom the footing properly. Actually, if we could remove half the footing, we would probably be golden!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Lesson - Saturday 2/6/10
Another wonderful lesson! I love when Debbie attends trainer clinics, as she always comes back with a new "pearl of wisdom" to share with her students.
Lendon Grey shared some tips on the rider using their core to stop their horse more square and to help riders work on their position. As part of our warm up at A, B, C & E she asked me to do a situp with my abs, squeeze my thighs and let out a large breath as I said the word whoa, and only use rein if needed. Since G will whoa on verbal command in the arena, I asked her if I could just breathe out instead, and she said okay. G was super!! He stopped square without me touching my reins on the second attempt, and the third, fourth and fifth! About the sixth time I did slightly squeeze my outside rein to help keep him straight. Boy was it a cool exercise. Seems simple, but to be able to feel yourself sitting taller and your body aligning shoulder/hip/heel was neat. Having G stop more square and walk off with his hind leg first 90% of the time was even better. He used to always start off with the front leg. Getting your horse to stop with their hind legs underneath them is the key. The squarer the stop, with the horse rising in the withers; means walking off from the stop correctly. Debbie said of the three students she worked with that morning, G was the best student of them all. She was so pleased that he "got it" so quickly.
After working shoulder-in (which he also did great at) and leg yields we began to work on canter transitions. So picture the arena is 28 degrees, the wind is blowing, the arena doors are rattling; and then the farm truck pulls out front to pick up hay. That's when I lost G's concentration, and I felt him starting to get rattled (G is all about food - farm truck = lunch hay). Before I knew it he spun out on me. Not once, but twice. I rode them both out without losing a stirrup or my seat. Debbie was so pleased ~ not with G's performance, but with mine. She said the two spins G delivered would've unseated many riders. So woohoo, that means my seat is getting better and those core exercises are helping. I actually didn't think the spins were so bad, but I guess when you don't lose your balance they aren't such a big deal, lol. We decided at that point that we would forget about the canter and work on some relaxation exercises. Working 20 meter circles, spiraling in and leg yielding out. It made a big difference and G came back to me in a matter of minutes.
Another successful lesson under our belt!
Lendon Grey shared some tips on the rider using their core to stop their horse more square and to help riders work on their position. As part of our warm up at A, B, C & E she asked me to do a situp with my abs, squeeze my thighs and let out a large breath as I said the word whoa, and only use rein if needed. Since G will whoa on verbal command in the arena, I asked her if I could just breathe out instead, and she said okay. G was super!! He stopped square without me touching my reins on the second attempt, and the third, fourth and fifth! About the sixth time I did slightly squeeze my outside rein to help keep him straight. Boy was it a cool exercise. Seems simple, but to be able to feel yourself sitting taller and your body aligning shoulder/hip/heel was neat. Having G stop more square and walk off with his hind leg first 90% of the time was even better. He used to always start off with the front leg. Getting your horse to stop with their hind legs underneath them is the key. The squarer the stop, with the horse rising in the withers; means walking off from the stop correctly. Debbie said of the three students she worked with that morning, G was the best student of them all. She was so pleased that he "got it" so quickly.
After working shoulder-in (which he also did great at) and leg yields we began to work on canter transitions. So picture the arena is 28 degrees, the wind is blowing, the arena doors are rattling; and then the farm truck pulls out front to pick up hay. That's when I lost G's concentration, and I felt him starting to get rattled (G is all about food - farm truck = lunch hay). Before I knew it he spun out on me. Not once, but twice. I rode them both out without losing a stirrup or my seat. Debbie was so pleased ~ not with G's performance, but with mine. She said the two spins G delivered would've unseated many riders. So woohoo, that means my seat is getting better and those core exercises are helping. I actually didn't think the spins were so bad, but I guess when you don't lose your balance they aren't such a big deal, lol. We decided at that point that we would forget about the canter and work on some relaxation exercises. Working 20 meter circles, spiraling in and leg yielding out. It made a big difference and G came back to me in a matter of minutes.
Another successful lesson under our belt!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Nice Workout!
We had a really nice 45 minute workout last night. I generally come home tired, but last night I came home with a huge grin on my face, and feeling energized.
We did our normal warm up. Stopping square before and after each corner; leg yields off the quarter line toward the rail for 4-5 steps, then straighten for 3 and yield toward the centerline 4-5 steps and straighten at the end; followed by shoulder-in on the long sides in both directions. Its a nice easy warm up and definitely helps free up G's shoulders. Then we worked on the walk, lengthening and shortening the stride, and then we went to canter transitions.
I'm working hard at my position, as I know this is a huge part of either getting a good transition or not. When we're in balance, it's wonderful! So we continued with this, working in both directions for about 8 minutes and then I took him large again and asked for gait. This is where the big smile came from. He gaited like a champ last night and I'm noticing that his ears are beginning to relax. He used to always hold them straight forward. Now they're pivoting here and there. Then he gets that chug-a-lug breathing sound he makes in time to his gait.....but the best part came off one of the corners where I felt his shoulders rise up and felt the pull as well as the push from behind. It only lasted about 6 strides, but it was pure raw power! A true running walk absolutely, positively; and the best he's ever delivered. Needless to say G was duely rewarded with praise, hugs, and pats.
Had Liz Graves been in the arena I woulda hugged and praised her too! As it was her pearls of wisdom about relaxing walk work being the key to unlock G's gaits. Any time I've felt the need to go faster, I repeat what she has told me a couple of times...."this type of work is like watching paint dry - but it's worth every moment". She is sooooo right!!
We finished off our session doing a 20 meter circle in the center of the arena, and as we come off the rail, we leg yield outward along the long arch, back to the rail and continue the leg yield on the opposite side of the circle. We do this about 3 times in both directions. The key is keeping him relaxed at this point, as this exercise is about softly stretching the muscles we just worked.
When we got back into the barn aisle, G was rewarded with some home made oat/molasses treats. Awesome, awesome ride....and I'm still smiling this morning!!
p.s. When I got home I curled up in my pappasan chair and finished "Out of The Wild" by Mark Rashid. What an awesome story, and it is filled with great training insights. I highly recommend it all my horse friends. I'd lend it out, but since its personally autographed I don't want to risk losing it.
BTW - I know we all like to save money, but did you know when you buy books from Amazon.com the author only receives 3 cents per book? Crazy huh? So if you want to support Mark (and your other favorite clinicians) please buy your book directly from them. It's like downloading music for free; artists are not duly rewarded for their talents. Okay, off my soap box.
We did our normal warm up. Stopping square before and after each corner; leg yields off the quarter line toward the rail for 4-5 steps, then straighten for 3 and yield toward the centerline 4-5 steps and straighten at the end; followed by shoulder-in on the long sides in both directions. Its a nice easy warm up and definitely helps free up G's shoulders. Then we worked on the walk, lengthening and shortening the stride, and then we went to canter transitions.
I'm working hard at my position, as I know this is a huge part of either getting a good transition or not. When we're in balance, it's wonderful! So we continued with this, working in both directions for about 8 minutes and then I took him large again and asked for gait. This is where the big smile came from. He gaited like a champ last night and I'm noticing that his ears are beginning to relax. He used to always hold them straight forward. Now they're pivoting here and there. Then he gets that chug-a-lug breathing sound he makes in time to his gait.....but the best part came off one of the corners where I felt his shoulders rise up and felt the pull as well as the push from behind. It only lasted about 6 strides, but it was pure raw power! A true running walk absolutely, positively; and the best he's ever delivered. Needless to say G was duely rewarded with praise, hugs, and pats.
Had Liz Graves been in the arena I woulda hugged and praised her too! As it was her pearls of wisdom about relaxing walk work being the key to unlock G's gaits. Any time I've felt the need to go faster, I repeat what she has told me a couple of times...."this type of work is like watching paint dry - but it's worth every moment". She is sooooo right!!
We finished off our session doing a 20 meter circle in the center of the arena, and as we come off the rail, we leg yield outward along the long arch, back to the rail and continue the leg yield on the opposite side of the circle. We do this about 3 times in both directions. The key is keeping him relaxed at this point, as this exercise is about softly stretching the muscles we just worked.
When we got back into the barn aisle, G was rewarded with some home made oat/molasses treats. Awesome, awesome ride....and I'm still smiling this morning!!
p.s. When I got home I curled up in my pappasan chair and finished "Out of The Wild" by Mark Rashid. What an awesome story, and it is filled with great training insights. I highly recommend it all my horse friends. I'd lend it out, but since its personally autographed I don't want to risk losing it.
BTW - I know we all like to save money, but did you know when you buy books from Amazon.com the author only receives 3 cents per book? Crazy huh? So if you want to support Mark (and your other favorite clinicians) please buy your book directly from them. It's like downloading music for free; artists are not duly rewarded for their talents. Okay, off my soap box.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wonderful Lesson! 1/24/10
We had a wonderful lesson on Saturday. Debbie asked how things had progressed since our least lesson and I mentioned that I hadn't been able to get a quick response for our canter transitions. So after working shoulder fore and leg yields, we got right to canter transitions. In the saddle I felt like he was collected, but on review of the video, the right word would be "controlled" or maybe "contained". But for G this is a huge step, and his responsiveness was right on.
We still have lots of work to do on both the up and downward transitions, and I need a lot of coaching on using my body better to support him, but I feel like we're making good progress. The first right canter lead at about 1:54 on the linked video, you can see G yield to the bit and soften on the up transition...it just felt awesome. It's funny how what you used to think was relaxed and controlled really wasn't, and you don't know until you begin to feel it when its done right.
In watching the past two videos of us though I'm starting to wonder if G's hip may be a bit sore. His trail goes center to left, but never to the right. For all I know its always been like this, but I'm thinking it may be related to the trailer accident in the fall of '08. Maybe its time to get the massage therapist out to look at him again. He was never really "out" but she did find some stiffness in the hip when she worked on him months after the accident.
Next lesson is in 2 weeks so we'll work on our transitions and see if we can improve upon them. I think the timing of my aids is getting better, but I know I have a lot of room for improvement.
A little canter anyone? Part of our lesson....
Canter Transitions - YouTube Video
A little canter anyone? Part of our lesson....
Canter Transitions - YouTube Video
Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Years Day RIde
Unfortunately it wasn't nice enough to ride outside, as we had snow on top of ice so we had to settle for the indoor. Hubby was nice enough to come to the barn and groom the footing for us. It's been a real mess lately. We didn't work anything special - worked on relaxing under saddle, backing, walking turns on the forehand, cantering and a little leg yielding at the end. I realize I may be pushing him past "relaxation" at the walk, but it felt good. In retrospect and in reviewing the video, I should have kept him at a nice medium walk. But I do see some nice moments in there! But if I want consistency I need to be more patient. What I see though is a nice trail pony.
I'm getting happier with his backing, as its getting straighter and freer - hurray!! And his canter is getting more relaxed. Hopefully I can video tape our next lesson and we can repeat the awesome canter we performed for Deb a few weeks ago. The transition up was really "up" and I was able to keep him more collected by using half halts. It just felt great, and I really hope I can feel it the same way again.
I've been working really hard on "feel" as we work on our various exercises. Trying to keep the proper rhythm/tempo in my head and heart and use "intent" in my cues. It's getting better, at least I think he's responding to my intent. I believe we're finally at the point where we understand one another and the communication is finally on the same wavelength. It's been a heck of a journey, and I'm thankful to have learned so much.
Edited to add: I sent a link to the YouTube video to Liz Graves as she's been nice enough to keep tabs on us since we did her first clinic. She is in my opinion the finest horsewoman to walk the planet. She just "gets it" and has a wonderful way of sharing her knowledge with others all for the sake of the horse. I don't think she'd mind me posting her email response to me, and I do want to make sure I have this in my "history" to look back on when I'm an old woman some day.
I'm getting happier with his backing, as its getting straighter and freer - hurray!! And his canter is getting more relaxed. Hopefully I can video tape our next lesson and we can repeat the awesome canter we performed for Deb a few weeks ago. The transition up was really "up" and I was able to keep him more collected by using half halts. It just felt great, and I really hope I can feel it the same way again.
I've been working really hard on "feel" as we work on our various exercises. Trying to keep the proper rhythm/tempo in my head and heart and use "intent" in my cues. It's getting better, at least I think he's responding to my intent. I believe we're finally at the point where we understand one another and the communication is finally on the same wavelength. It's been a heck of a journey, and I'm thankful to have learned so much.
Edited to add: I sent a link to the YouTube video to Liz Graves as she's been nice enough to keep tabs on us since we did her first clinic. She is in my opinion the finest horsewoman to walk the planet. She just "gets it" and has a wonderful way of sharing her knowledge with others all for the sake of the horse. I don't think she'd mind me posting her email response to me, and I do want to make sure I have this in my "history" to look back on when I'm an old woman some day.
Hi Kate,
The clip you sent is just awesome!!!!!!!!!
This is what I like to see, yes he’s relaxed and easy here, this shows how far you have both come.
If you can just keep this tone of sessions for a good while yet and not work or add much more right now but just maybe softening (making more subtle) your aids even more for the back, just time and patience . Being in his head right now to help him understand that this relaxed place can always be, is most important right now and you can add refinement , collection and advanced work later.
It’s my opinion as I’ve stated so many times is that we first :
1. Get into the heart through trust and relationship
2. They then open and give us their mind
3. And last they allow us to guide and direct their body.
This method is the one in which a horse will give us everything they can.
The more common train of human thought in teaching horses though is:
1. Control the body first 2. Then you own the mind.
Horses never get to be the best they can with this method.
Wonderful Kate, just wonderful!
Liz
YESSSSSS!!! We are on the right road and I will continue to work in this soft frame as recommended until he really does become "soft". He's getting there, I feel it!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Lesson on Saturday
Yeah, I know I said dressage lessons were being put on permanent hold for awhile....but I definitely need to have a little structure brought into my sessions with G some days. I've been talking to Debbie on and off since our clinic with Mark Rashid, and she has been a really good sounding board. So the last time I saw her I set up a date.
What a great lesson. It was great for Debbie to see how far we've progressed since our last lesson with her, and she said it was obvious that I've still been working our exercises...like shoulder fore, shoulder in and leg yields. G was being very responsive and happy with contact and the Rockin S Raised snaffle....woohoo. Debbie also gave me a pat on the back for searching until I found what was right for G. That made me feel good.
It was really really cold - 27 degrees. I generally don't ride when it's under 32 degrees, but now that I have a quarter sheet for G as long as he was warm I wasn't too worried. So we spent the first half of the lesson working 15 meter circles; shoulder fore and in; then leg yields in both directions; and then leg yielding to the left 3-4 strides, going straight for 3 and then to the right fo 3-4 strides. G was very responsive and I'm getting better with my half halts to shorten his stride while maintaining impulsion.
On to canter work. Debbie said that G has gotten stronger since she last worked with him and she was happy to see that my timing in the half halts had improved. So now its time to start to really collect the canter. First we needed an immediate response to my cue...got it. Second she wanted to see more lift in the transition...we got it; and then she worked with us on using the half halts to shorten the stride while still maintaining forward motion and lift. The first 20 meter circle was okay, but with each attempt it got better and better. G maintained his "cool" throughout the entire lesson. It was a pleasure to ride such a responsive and much softer horse yesterday. I felt like we made real progress in collecting the canter, and maintaining impulsion.
I've decided I'm going to take a lesson a month through the winter, as I do find the time spent is more focused and productive. Hopefully I can get some video as being able to watch yourself ride is a lesson all onto itself.
What a great lesson. It was great for Debbie to see how far we've progressed since our last lesson with her, and she said it was obvious that I've still been working our exercises...like shoulder fore, shoulder in and leg yields. G was being very responsive and happy with contact and the Rockin S Raised snaffle....woohoo. Debbie also gave me a pat on the back for searching until I found what was right for G. That made me feel good.
It was really really cold - 27 degrees. I generally don't ride when it's under 32 degrees, but now that I have a quarter sheet for G as long as he was warm I wasn't too worried. So we spent the first half of the lesson working 15 meter circles; shoulder fore and in; then leg yields in both directions; and then leg yielding to the left 3-4 strides, going straight for 3 and then to the right fo 3-4 strides. G was very responsive and I'm getting better with my half halts to shorten his stride while maintaining impulsion.
On to canter work. Debbie said that G has gotten stronger since she last worked with him and she was happy to see that my timing in the half halts had improved. So now its time to start to really collect the canter. First we needed an immediate response to my cue...got it. Second she wanted to see more lift in the transition...we got it; and then she worked with us on using the half halts to shorten the stride while still maintaining forward motion and lift. The first 20 meter circle was okay, but with each attempt it got better and better. G maintained his "cool" throughout the entire lesson. It was a pleasure to ride such a responsive and much softer horse yesterday. I felt like we made real progress in collecting the canter, and maintaining impulsion.
I've decided I'm going to take a lesson a month through the winter, as I do find the time spent is more focused and productive. Hopefully I can get some video as being able to watch yourself ride is a lesson all onto itself.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Busy Week
With the holidays comes time off from work! I started my Thanksgiving with the second love of my life...Mr. G. We had a wonderful 30 minute ride in the arena just working on relaxation and walk gait transitions and walk to canter. We then rode up at the track another 30 minutes basically doing the same thing. It still amazes me how a little thing like setting the tone at the mounting block has changed our rides, but they just keep getting better. I was able to get back there again on Friday but since it was raining we spent the 35 minutes indoors. I'm just loving this bit and the rope reins. And, I'm also loving riding in my ATH saddle on a regular basis.
Today I had the arena reserved for 12:30 and decided rather than ride we'd work on ground driving. I can't tell you when the last time we did this, maybe last winter sometime(?) Well, he was a real champ and by the third request for halt he was stopping dead square. I'm trying to keep my verbal cues to a minimum, but find that sometimes they're needed. He was such a good boy as we worked on serpentines, figure eights, and tear drops. He looked and felt wonderful in my hands. He did so well, I drove him out the arena doors and took him for a walk down the drive to the track. Sounds like no big deal right? Welllll , the winds were howling and gusting up to 50 mph. Crazy me, lol. He did really well until we came around the backside of the track and wind caught the soft sided horse shelter and it started flapping like crazy. BUT, the only reaction was he turned into a giraffe and side stepped three steps and halted on my request. I walked him forward about 20 steps asked for a nice halt and decided to end it on a good note. All I needed was for that shelter to take flight and have G lose it. It was almost better than the two days previous rides put together. It just felt soooo good.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a pretty nice day, but I know the trails are muddy (more rain this week of course) and I'm thinking he deserves a day to just be a horse! Maybe I'll visit at the end of the day and just give him a treat for being my boy.
Today I had the arena reserved for 12:30 and decided rather than ride we'd work on ground driving. I can't tell you when the last time we did this, maybe last winter sometime(?) Well, he was a real champ and by the third request for halt he was stopping dead square. I'm trying to keep my verbal cues to a minimum, but find that sometimes they're needed. He was such a good boy as we worked on serpentines, figure eights, and tear drops. He looked and felt wonderful in my hands. He did so well, I drove him out the arena doors and took him for a walk down the drive to the track. Sounds like no big deal right? Welllll , the winds were howling and gusting up to 50 mph. Crazy me, lol. He did really well until we came around the backside of the track and wind caught the soft sided horse shelter and it started flapping like crazy. BUT, the only reaction was he turned into a giraffe and side stepped three steps and halted on my request. I walked him forward about 20 steps asked for a nice halt and decided to end it on a good note. All I needed was for that shelter to take flight and have G lose it. It was almost better than the two days previous rides put together. It just felt soooo good.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a pretty nice day, but I know the trails are muddy (more rain this week of course) and I'm thinking he deserves a day to just be a horse! Maybe I'll visit at the end of the day and just give him a treat for being my boy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday 10/27/2009
Went directly to the barn after work as I had booked arena time at 6:30 ~ G was a muddy mess when I got there, so between washing hooves and scraping away the mud I was lucky to get in there on time.
I decided since I was primarily going to work the walk that I’d let him eat his dinner. I've found if he knows he’s missing dinner he has a hard time focusing on work. He is without a doubt the most food oriented horse I’ve ever met. I sometimes wonder if it’s because they are on such a consistent schedule that when something is slightly amiss he gets agitated. I know my dogs start getting a bit more than antsy if 5:00 comes and goes without the food dishes being filled.
G picked me up at the mounting block – he’s doing very well with this. I asked for him to soften – repeated this about three times until I felt him release and mounted up. He stood still but then started getting antsy. His mind was in forward gear! So I dismounted and we repeated the exercise. This time he really softened (I think I’m starting to really see the difference between light and soft) and so when I mounted this time I didn’t need to hold the reins or request that he stand still, he just did. Good boy.
We start out by doing serpentines on and off the rail around the arena in both directions. He really is getting in tune to my seat cues now and it feels great not having to use any rein with exception to asking for a yield to the inside. I alternate taking up contact and then allowing him to reach forward and down, which helps stretch out those muscles. Once we were warmed up I tried to simply work on keeping his hind end engaged at a nice medium walk – pure four beats – in a soft frame. As I asked him to pick up his gait, his first inclination is to raise that head and hollow out, so I went back to the walk, we did some shoulder fore, haunches in, leg yields, worked our square pattern, and then I asked for a canter in both directions on a 20 meter circle. Once cantered, when I asked for him to pick it up into a flat walk I got it in a soft frame with impulsion. Around the arena once in both directions and we went back to walk transitions. I believe the canter is what truly stretches him out.
Back when we first started cantering on 20 meter circles G had a hard time balancing. He now feels wonderful – we’re getting lift on the up transition and he’s beginning to drop his hinny and soften on the down transition. The problem now however is I can’t keep him in the canter on the straight any more. Why is that? Anyway, we ended our session backing up and he did a darn good job of staying straight the length of the arena. I only had to use my legs twice to straighten him out. So we ended on a good note ~ he got his peppermint when I was done untacking him. All I got was a sticky hand :)
I decided since I was primarily going to work the walk that I’d let him eat his dinner. I've found if he knows he’s missing dinner he has a hard time focusing on work. He is without a doubt the most food oriented horse I’ve ever met. I sometimes wonder if it’s because they are on such a consistent schedule that when something is slightly amiss he gets agitated. I know my dogs start getting a bit more than antsy if 5:00 comes and goes without the food dishes being filled.
G picked me up at the mounting block – he’s doing very well with this. I asked for him to soften – repeated this about three times until I felt him release and mounted up. He stood still but then started getting antsy. His mind was in forward gear! So I dismounted and we repeated the exercise. This time he really softened (I think I’m starting to really see the difference between light and soft) and so when I mounted this time I didn’t need to hold the reins or request that he stand still, he just did. Good boy.
We start out by doing serpentines on and off the rail around the arena in both directions. He really is getting in tune to my seat cues now and it feels great not having to use any rein with exception to asking for a yield to the inside. I alternate taking up contact and then allowing him to reach forward and down, which helps stretch out those muscles. Once we were warmed up I tried to simply work on keeping his hind end engaged at a nice medium walk – pure four beats – in a soft frame. As I asked him to pick up his gait, his first inclination is to raise that head and hollow out, so I went back to the walk, we did some shoulder fore, haunches in, leg yields, worked our square pattern, and then I asked for a canter in both directions on a 20 meter circle. Once cantered, when I asked for him to pick it up into a flat walk I got it in a soft frame with impulsion. Around the arena once in both directions and we went back to walk transitions. I believe the canter is what truly stretches him out.
Back when we first started cantering on 20 meter circles G had a hard time balancing. He now feels wonderful – we’re getting lift on the up transition and he’s beginning to drop his hinny and soften on the down transition. The problem now however is I can’t keep him in the canter on the straight any more. Why is that? Anyway, we ended our session backing up and he did a darn good job of staying straight the length of the arena. I only had to use my legs twice to straighten him out. So we ended on a good note ~ he got his peppermint when I was done untacking him. All I got was a sticky hand :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday 10/17/09
Headed to the barn late this morning to ride G in his new Rockin S Raised Snaffle. I had reserved the arena for 12:45 but a lesson was running a little late so I decided to ride G outside for a few before heading indoors.
Well G did a great job at picking me up at the mounting block and he stood still for me. I picked up his reins and he wanted to walk off. So I asked him to stand. Easy right? Not. Here comes the red farm truck down the center drive with Sue standing in the back throwing lunch hay. Aha, it's lunch time and as usual if its feeding time and I'm asking G to work he wants to throw a tantrum. Oops, there I go again. G is acting out because..... no making excuses for his poor behavior so I asked him to back up. Not a happy camper. I could feel his frustration mounting, but I held fast and continued to back him up in a circle until I got some softening. Since the truck was rolling toward us and the barn I decided I'd take him around back and head into the arena.
Once inside I dismounted and went to the mounting block and asked him to pick me up. Not so good as outside. "The hay truck is here mom, I wanna eat". Such a spoiled child. I kept my resolve and on about the fourth attempt he relented. I then asked him to soften by closing my hand on the rein mid way up his neck. This took about 5 minutes before I got a release. Okay not so bad. So I mounted up, sat and got myself situated and asked him to walk off.
Up, up, up. G's ears were forward and he was very up and ready to go. So this tells me I didn't change his frame of mind at the mounting block and should've spent more time on softening. I only had 30 minutes so I took him to the centerline in the arena and started backing. We had to traverse the center line back and forth twice before he let go of the bit and softened. I then gave him a little more rein and asked him to walk along the wall. Much more relaxed at the poll; but every once in a while the head would pop up but I simply vibrated my ring finger on the inside rein and he softened. We did more work on backing; stopping in a soft frame; and walking walking walking.
So far I'm really pleased with this bit and how G is reacting to it. Far more responsive with far less cue. To have him back with me simply closing my hand on the reins and thinking back just amazes me. A horse that wouldn't back for "you know what" now backs in a more relaxed frame. When he gets going, it feels so cool to feel how his hind end is working. So now my two Herm Sprenger bits are in the hands of a fellow boarder who is going to try them both out this week. We just happened to start talking bits and she mentioned that she had tried an HS and her horse liked it so she was going to go buy a new one. Great timing! Hopefully one will be sold by the end of the week and the other I can hopefully sell to one of our prior trainers. This will make DH very happy! Buy a new bit, sell two!!
Well G did a great job at picking me up at the mounting block and he stood still for me. I picked up his reins and he wanted to walk off. So I asked him to stand. Easy right? Not. Here comes the red farm truck down the center drive with Sue standing in the back throwing lunch hay. Aha, it's lunch time and as usual if its feeding time and I'm asking G to work he wants to throw a tantrum. Oops, there I go again. G is acting out because..... no making excuses for his poor behavior so I asked him to back up. Not a happy camper. I could feel his frustration mounting, but I held fast and continued to back him up in a circle until I got some softening. Since the truck was rolling toward us and the barn I decided I'd take him around back and head into the arena.
Once inside I dismounted and went to the mounting block and asked him to pick me up. Not so good as outside. "The hay truck is here mom, I wanna eat". Such a spoiled child. I kept my resolve and on about the fourth attempt he relented. I then asked him to soften by closing my hand on the rein mid way up his neck. This took about 5 minutes before I got a release. Okay not so bad. So I mounted up, sat and got myself situated and asked him to walk off.
Up, up, up. G's ears were forward and he was very up and ready to go. So this tells me I didn't change his frame of mind at the mounting block and should've spent more time on softening. I only had 30 minutes so I took him to the centerline in the arena and started backing. We had to traverse the center line back and forth twice before he let go of the bit and softened. I then gave him a little more rein and asked him to walk along the wall. Much more relaxed at the poll; but every once in a while the head would pop up but I simply vibrated my ring finger on the inside rein and he softened. We did more work on backing; stopping in a soft frame; and walking walking walking.
So far I'm really pleased with this bit and how G is reacting to it. Far more responsive with far less cue. To have him back with me simply closing my hand on the reins and thinking back just amazes me. A horse that wouldn't back for "you know what" now backs in a more relaxed frame. When he gets going, it feels so cool to feel how his hind end is working. So now my two Herm Sprenger bits are in the hands of a fellow boarder who is going to try them both out this week. We just happened to start talking bits and she mentioned that she had tried an HS and her horse liked it so she was going to go buy a new one. Great timing! Hopefully one will be sold by the end of the week and the other I can hopefully sell to one of our prior trainers. This will make DH very happy! Buy a new bit, sell two!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Just an Update
It's been awhile since I've been able to update. So much to do, so little time. Renovations on the interior of the house have been keeping us extremely busy, which has left less time to work with G.
I've begun taking lessons under saddle with Lisa. Her approach is strictly classical which is very different than the modern dressage teachers. With her its all about relaxation, everything comes in its own time. This seems to be a better fit with my approach to horsemanship, as I've always tried to work more on G's clock than my own.
The first few minutes of the lesson is made up of doing some in hand work to prepare him for saddle work. I think it really makes a difference in his mindset, as this past Sunday he was more relaxed than I've ever seen him. We're stepping back a bit from where we are with Debbie. She has us working on transitions, from walk to halt, halt to backing up, and then moving forward. All with the use of seat aids. I did have to close my fingers the first few times for G to understand the new seat cue (think levitating lol) but after the third or fourth time he knew what I wanted. The best part of the session was the fact that G took two steps backward without lifting his head. This is huge. G has always hollowed out to back up, but yesterday he stayed relaxed. Lisa asked me to reward him even if I only get one step. She wants me to work hard at praising him for staying in a relaxed frame regardless of what we're doing.
I'm also having to work harder on my seat and posture, as she felt I was falling behind the vertical just enough to possibly be hindering G from rounding his back more. Not haven been told this before, now with my frame in line I do feel like I'm slightly forward of the vertical, but when I went by the windows outside I realized that she was spot on. Now I need to practice the new seat at all gaits. I'm hoping our new found teacher will help me reach between G's ears so he'll understand relaxation and it will become second nature.
It was interesting again as Lisa asked if she could ride him to see if she could get a true shoulder in from him. She managed one or two steps, but found that he is stiff. What I saw from the ground was the same thing I see any time someone strange gets on him. He gets more hollow, braced, and appears to be waiting for the hammer to fall. Sj said she believed his issues are between his ears, and I do believe she's absolutely correct. There are certain things I have been able to overcome with him, but submission is the toughest. So time will tell. Looking forward to our next lesson in a couple of weeks.
I've begun taking lessons under saddle with Lisa. Her approach is strictly classical which is very different than the modern dressage teachers. With her its all about relaxation, everything comes in its own time. This seems to be a better fit with my approach to horsemanship, as I've always tried to work more on G's clock than my own.
The first few minutes of the lesson is made up of doing some in hand work to prepare him for saddle work. I think it really makes a difference in his mindset, as this past Sunday he was more relaxed than I've ever seen him. We're stepping back a bit from where we are with Debbie. She has us working on transitions, from walk to halt, halt to backing up, and then moving forward. All with the use of seat aids. I did have to close my fingers the first few times for G to understand the new seat cue (think levitating lol) but after the third or fourth time he knew what I wanted. The best part of the session was the fact that G took two steps backward without lifting his head. This is huge. G has always hollowed out to back up, but yesterday he stayed relaxed. Lisa asked me to reward him even if I only get one step. She wants me to work hard at praising him for staying in a relaxed frame regardless of what we're doing.
I'm also having to work harder on my seat and posture, as she felt I was falling behind the vertical just enough to possibly be hindering G from rounding his back more. Not haven been told this before, now with my frame in line I do feel like I'm slightly forward of the vertical, but when I went by the windows outside I realized that she was spot on. Now I need to practice the new seat at all gaits. I'm hoping our new found teacher will help me reach between G's ears so he'll understand relaxation and it will become second nature.
It was interesting again as Lisa asked if she could ride him to see if she could get a true shoulder in from him. She managed one or two steps, but found that he is stiff. What I saw from the ground was the same thing I see any time someone strange gets on him. He gets more hollow, braced, and appears to be waiting for the hammer to fall. Sj said she believed his issues are between his ears, and I do believe she's absolutely correct. There are certain things I have been able to overcome with him, but submission is the toughest. So time will tell. Looking forward to our next lesson in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Lessons In-Hand
Tonight we had our first lesson with our resident Classical Dressage Queen, Lisa. Okay so she's not really a Queen, but since another border refers to her as the DQ in a snide fashion I now call her DQ, lol
I do love to watch her work with her horse both under saddle and on the double lunge. So I decided that I would switch off lessons between her and Debbie. We'll work with Lisa on "in-hand" work one week and with Debbie under saddle the next. Not sure how long I can afford to do this, but I'm going to try it for a bit.
Tonight was really educational as she spent the first ten minutes discussing the anatomy of the horse and the importance that relaxation plays in classical dressage. Nothing is done right now, it is done when its ready. I said "oh just like natural horsemanship, you are on the horses clock, they are not on yours". She laughed and said exactly. So we are both on the same wave length, which is good. She was happy to see that I don't use a flash band anymore nor do I tighten the cavesson. I actually keep it a tad loose. I've found this has helped G relax a lot more with the bit. Lisa filled the whole hour with lots of tid bits about classical dressage training and its importance in the proper training of the horse versus how its done in modern dressage. It solidified a lot of what I've read.
We worked on three exercises tonight, the first being one to teach the horse to relax in the bridle, drop the nose to the ground and learn to relax in that position. Here you stand in front of your horse and hook your thumbs into the bit rings. Concentrating on only one side at a time you hold one thumb steady as you close your other thumb in a slight pulsing manner asking the horse to give a little at the poll and to slightly turn the head in that direction as you continue to lower the head. Like a bend in the saddle, you only want to have a slight turn in. You then switch to the other side. Once we got that down I then walked backward in front of him and while doing the same exercise asked him to walk forward slowly. The key was to keep his head as low as possible yet relaxed at the same time. Then ask for whoa and to keep the head down and relaxed. Hah, not easy! Eventually we will ask him to back up with his head down. But this is great as this exercise helps stretch out and work the neck, back and croup muscles. It seems like a simple enough exercise, (edited to change wording) the analogy she used was it would be like a woman who walks in high heels all the time and putting her into flip flops. All of a sudden the muscles of the foot are being stretched in a different manner and it hurts. But in time, the more we do this exercise the more supple the muscles will become and the stronger his back muscles will be. It will become second nature for G to feel relaxed in this frame rather than where his comfort zone is today.
The next two were lateral exercises. Doing a square where I ask G to do a walking turn on the forehand for two steps, walk straight three steps and repeat in a square. We did this several times in each direction as well. The last was working on a circle and then asking G to sidepass two steps out of the circle and then back in. This was the hardest as we've never worked on side passing. G can leg yield and he can do a shoulder over, but putting the two together is a new concept. By the third time around we got a few good steps in both directions. We worked for an hour and Lisa was great at picking up my bad habits. Things that I didn't realize I was doing to counteract all the relaxation techniques I was using. Like when G would do something wrong I'd puff up and say "ack". His head immediately comes up and he'd brace. There were also times where I wasn't being careful about where the piaffe whip was placed and G like the good boy he was would do what I asked although I didn't realize I was asking, lol. So lessons for me will be all about more relaxtion. I'm almost thinking Tai Chi would be a good thing to take, as I hear it does wonder for focus and control (yeah like I can afford that too). Nope, horse comes first. Anyway, she also observed that he appears to be stiff in the neck mid point. And while we were talking and turned his head to me he both heard a good "pop". This even after I did neck stretches before we began our lesson. I think it's time for the massage therapist to pay a visit. She was very pleased at how willing he is and responsive. He has so much heart its no wonder he wormed his way into mine.
When people say that good horsemanship is a never ending journey, they aren't kidding. I've owned G for 6 years now and I find I'm still learning something new about him every day. I'm real excited about our new journey....dressage from the ground!!
I do love to watch her work with her horse both under saddle and on the double lunge. So I decided that I would switch off lessons between her and Debbie. We'll work with Lisa on "in-hand" work one week and with Debbie under saddle the next. Not sure how long I can afford to do this, but I'm going to try it for a bit.
Tonight was really educational as she spent the first ten minutes discussing the anatomy of the horse and the importance that relaxation plays in classical dressage. Nothing is done right now, it is done when its ready. I said "oh just like natural horsemanship, you are on the horses clock, they are not on yours". She laughed and said exactly. So we are both on the same wave length, which is good. She was happy to see that I don't use a flash band anymore nor do I tighten the cavesson. I actually keep it a tad loose. I've found this has helped G relax a lot more with the bit. Lisa filled the whole hour with lots of tid bits about classical dressage training and its importance in the proper training of the horse versus how its done in modern dressage. It solidified a lot of what I've read.
We worked on three exercises tonight, the first being one to teach the horse to relax in the bridle, drop the nose to the ground and learn to relax in that position. Here you stand in front of your horse and hook your thumbs into the bit rings. Concentrating on only one side at a time you hold one thumb steady as you close your other thumb in a slight pulsing manner asking the horse to give a little at the poll and to slightly turn the head in that direction as you continue to lower the head. Like a bend in the saddle, you only want to have a slight turn in. You then switch to the other side. Once we got that down I then walked backward in front of him and while doing the same exercise asked him to walk forward slowly. The key was to keep his head as low as possible yet relaxed at the same time. Then ask for whoa and to keep the head down and relaxed. Hah, not easy! Eventually we will ask him to back up with his head down. But this is great as this exercise helps stretch out and work the neck, back and croup muscles. It seems like a simple enough exercise, (edited to change wording) the analogy she used was it would be like a woman who walks in high heels all the time and putting her into flip flops. All of a sudden the muscles of the foot are being stretched in a different manner and it hurts. But in time, the more we do this exercise the more supple the muscles will become and the stronger his back muscles will be. It will become second nature for G to feel relaxed in this frame rather than where his comfort zone is today.
The next two were lateral exercises. Doing a square where I ask G to do a walking turn on the forehand for two steps, walk straight three steps and repeat in a square. We did this several times in each direction as well. The last was working on a circle and then asking G to sidepass two steps out of the circle and then back in. This was the hardest as we've never worked on side passing. G can leg yield and he can do a shoulder over, but putting the two together is a new concept. By the third time around we got a few good steps in both directions. We worked for an hour and Lisa was great at picking up my bad habits. Things that I didn't realize I was doing to counteract all the relaxation techniques I was using. Like when G would do something wrong I'd puff up and say "ack". His head immediately comes up and he'd brace. There were also times where I wasn't being careful about where the piaffe whip was placed and G like the good boy he was would do what I asked although I didn't realize I was asking, lol. So lessons for me will be all about more relaxtion. I'm almost thinking Tai Chi would be a good thing to take, as I hear it does wonder for focus and control (yeah like I can afford that too). Nope, horse comes first. Anyway, she also observed that he appears to be stiff in the neck mid point. And while we were talking and turned his head to me he both heard a good "pop". This even after I did neck stretches before we began our lesson. I think it's time for the massage therapist to pay a visit. She was very pleased at how willing he is and responsive. He has so much heart its no wonder he wormed his way into mine.
When people say that good horsemanship is a never ending journey, they aren't kidding. I've owned G for 6 years now and I find I'm still learning something new about him every day. I'm real excited about our new journey....dressage from the ground!!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Our Week of Riding
I've been off work since Christmas eve at 2:00 and you know I had to drive straight to the barn to get in a Christmas eve ride. Unfortunately the footing outside was not good so we had to settle for the arena, but that's okay. It was a ride.
G really seems to like the Dr. Cook's bridle. Again, not having a bit in his mouth seems to be one of his main issues. He was always trying to find a comfortable spot, but in most cases would go behind the bit to get rid of the contact. Well, with this rig I have contact and he's happy with it. No trying to duck anywhere. Needless to say this has allowed him to relax more, and in return he is delivering a wonderful 4-beat walk, flat walk AND I got another 4-5 strides of the true running walk I've only ever felt on one Walker. The feel of both the push from the hind and the pull from the front is simply exhilarating! When I asked him to whoa I laid on his neck and gave him another great big hug! Liz really put us on the right track!
I've ridden him three times this week. Mostly in the arena due to the weather, but we've stuck with doing long and low walk work, some shoulder in and fore, and canter departures. What did Liz tell me? Oh yeah, this kind of work is like "watching paint dry" lol. Yep, some days that's what it feels like, but now I have a clear picture in my mind of the end goal. So if I have to be a little bored, so be it! When we finish 30-45 minutes, I dismount and we walk to cool down. He still follows me around at liberty, so I'm ready to play some games with him again tomorrow afternoon. I think it will do us both some good. I'm going to ask hubby to build us a pedestal using a truck tire (saw this on a link on the GHS board) cause it looks really sturdy. Main reason why I've avoided this type of work is I didn't want to spend the money for the real deal, and if we built something flimsy and G got hurt or it broke underneath him, that would be the last time we ever attempted somthing like that.
Today I'm giving G the day off to just be a horse and do his thing. It's time to take Ozzy to the vets for a weigh in and to pick up his heartguard medicine. I'm almost afraid to see how much he weighs now as he is becoming a BIG dog. But he's absolutely gorgeous.
Christmas has come and gone so quickly and a new year is upon us. I hope that 2009 brings us closer to our property in Tennessee, but if not then we'll wish the same again for 2010. We have our health and we have each other and that makes us both happy.
Happy New Year from Kate, Zeke, G, Holly, Buster & Ozzy
G really seems to like the Dr. Cook's bridle. Again, not having a bit in his mouth seems to be one of his main issues. He was always trying to find a comfortable spot, but in most cases would go behind the bit to get rid of the contact. Well, with this rig I have contact and he's happy with it. No trying to duck anywhere. Needless to say this has allowed him to relax more, and in return he is delivering a wonderful 4-beat walk, flat walk AND I got another 4-5 strides of the true running walk I've only ever felt on one Walker. The feel of both the push from the hind and the pull from the front is simply exhilarating! When I asked him to whoa I laid on his neck and gave him another great big hug! Liz really put us on the right track!
I've ridden him three times this week. Mostly in the arena due to the weather, but we've stuck with doing long and low walk work, some shoulder in and fore, and canter departures. What did Liz tell me? Oh yeah, this kind of work is like "watching paint dry" lol. Yep, some days that's what it feels like, but now I have a clear picture in my mind of the end goal. So if I have to be a little bored, so be it! When we finish 30-45 minutes, I dismount and we walk to cool down. He still follows me around at liberty, so I'm ready to play some games with him again tomorrow afternoon. I think it will do us both some good. I'm going to ask hubby to build us a pedestal using a truck tire (saw this on a link on the GHS board) cause it looks really sturdy. Main reason why I've avoided this type of work is I didn't want to spend the money for the real deal, and if we built something flimsy and G got hurt or it broke underneath him, that would be the last time we ever attempted somthing like that.
Today I'm giving G the day off to just be a horse and do his thing. It's time to take Ozzy to the vets for a weigh in and to pick up his heartguard medicine. I'm almost afraid to see how much he weighs now as he is becoming a BIG dog. But he's absolutely gorgeous.
Christmas has come and gone so quickly and a new year is upon us. I hope that 2009 brings us closer to our property in Tennessee, but if not then we'll wish the same again for 2010. We have our health and we have each other and that makes us both happy.
Happy New Year from Kate, Zeke, G, Holly, Buster & Ozzy
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Long & Low
I was able to ride G both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I didn't bother working him with the bit at all, I just tacked him up with his sidepull and dressage saddle.
I took him to the outside track and we spent 15 minutes just walking on a loose rein around the track. We continued working the walk in a long and low head position. You definitely feel the power of his hind end and the rise in his back while doing this. After another 10 minutes I took up contact with the sidepull and asked him to step it up with a kiss - he immediately stepped into a beautiful and relaxed flat walk. No leg or whip needed. The best part was he continued to flatwalk until I asked him to come back down to a walk. Boy does this feel good. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I did ask him for a canter and got a beautiful lift and after three strides I brought him back to a walk. We walked the oval and I asked him again at the next corner. Again, a beautiful lift on the correct lead. So after 4 strides back to a walk. Now what a flat walk. He definitely strides better after doing a few of walk to canter transitions. I assume it's because he's now engaging his hind end AND he's more relaxed. Whatever it is, I'll take it.
I am delightfully amazed at how responsive he is to my seat cues. Liz did say that the order of aids should be seat & legs and then rein if needed. I've been so busy with "contact" that I haven't felt what else was going on. So this is definitely a wonderful exercise for me and a pleasant break for G I'm sure.
Sunday it was rainy and drizzly so we rode in the arena. We spent the first 15 minutes doing long & low work, doing serpentines and 20 meter circles. Walk, walk, walk and lots of it. After the first 30 minutes I asked for him to step it up and he did. Again, with much more impulsion and enthusiasm. I truly believe he is happy without having to worry about the bit. I know I don't have busy hands. I don't even think I have hard hands, but I do think after these few sessions that I can learn to be lighter in my feel and I believe that G will be able to regain his softness as well.
I just know we're on the right track now.
I took him to the outside track and we spent 15 minutes just walking on a loose rein around the track. We continued working the walk in a long and low head position. You definitely feel the power of his hind end and the rise in his back while doing this. After another 10 minutes I took up contact with the sidepull and asked him to step it up with a kiss - he immediately stepped into a beautiful and relaxed flat walk. No leg or whip needed. The best part was he continued to flatwalk until I asked him to come back down to a walk. Boy does this feel good. I know I probably shouldn't have, but I did ask him for a canter and got a beautiful lift and after three strides I brought him back to a walk. We walked the oval and I asked him again at the next corner. Again, a beautiful lift on the correct lead. So after 4 strides back to a walk. Now what a flat walk. He definitely strides better after doing a few of walk to canter transitions. I assume it's because he's now engaging his hind end AND he's more relaxed. Whatever it is, I'll take it.
I am delightfully amazed at how responsive he is to my seat cues. Liz did say that the order of aids should be seat & legs and then rein if needed. I've been so busy with "contact" that I haven't felt what else was going on. So this is definitely a wonderful exercise for me and a pleasant break for G I'm sure.
Sunday it was rainy and drizzly so we rode in the arena. We spent the first 15 minutes doing long & low work, doing serpentines and 20 meter circles. Walk, walk, walk and lots of it. After the first 30 minutes I asked for him to step it up and he did. Again, with much more impulsion and enthusiasm. I truly believe he is happy without having to worry about the bit. I know I don't have busy hands. I don't even think I have hard hands, but I do think after these few sessions that I can learn to be lighter in my feel and I believe that G will be able to regain his softness as well.
I just know we're on the right track now.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lesson in Lightness: Mark Russell Part 1
Sometimes when you start with a horse (this being my first) you tend not to start at the very beginning. After all, your horse understands your rein cues, most of your seat and leg cues, so what do need with all the in-hand work?
I received Mark's book yesterday and dove right in. Like Mark Rashid, he drew me in immediately. In chapter 5 we begin with "Working in Hand". Although I've done ground work, mostly Parelli based games based on pressure and release, this is the first time that I spent time encouraging G to stretch his jaw and TMJ. I've often thought that part of G's issue with not finding and holding a sweet spot on his own, was twofold. One his lack of relaxation, and of course my hands trying to hold his head in what I thought was a "sweet spot".
Mark begins "Teaching the Exercise" with the following statement: "Relaxing the jaw may seem quite simple, but it can be difficult for many trainers to accomplish". Because he uses a slight vibration on the inside rein and absolutely no pulling whatsoever, horses that are not light don't get it right away. I know, I spent 15 minutes vibrating the rein until G finally released his jaw, licked and chewed. The very moment you feel release you release. It took another 10 minutes on the other side, but it's progress. We spent the next 15 minutes at liberty just walking serpentines back and forth across the arena. G pretty much kept his head long and low for most of it, and you could see how relaxed he was. When we stopped I gave him a wonderful neck massage and called it a night.
Back in the barn he got himself a small warm peppermint mash - his favorite! Tomorrow I'll work on relaxing the jaw again and if the trail is dryer take him out for a nice relaxing trail ride. If its wet, we'll tack up with the sidepull and do serpentines and circles at a walk in the arena.
I received Mark's book yesterday and dove right in. Like Mark Rashid, he drew me in immediately. In chapter 5 we begin with "Working in Hand". Although I've done ground work, mostly Parelli based games based on pressure and release, this is the first time that I spent time encouraging G to stretch his jaw and TMJ. I've often thought that part of G's issue with not finding and holding a sweet spot on his own, was twofold. One his lack of relaxation, and of course my hands trying to hold his head in what I thought was a "sweet spot".
Mark begins "Teaching the Exercise" with the following statement: "Relaxing the jaw may seem quite simple, but it can be difficult for many trainers to accomplish". Because he uses a slight vibration on the inside rein and absolutely no pulling whatsoever, horses that are not light don't get it right away. I know, I spent 15 minutes vibrating the rein until G finally released his jaw, licked and chewed. The very moment you feel release you release. It took another 10 minutes on the other side, but it's progress. We spent the next 15 minutes at liberty just walking serpentines back and forth across the arena. G pretty much kept his head long and low for most of it, and you could see how relaxed he was. When we stopped I gave him a wonderful neck massage and called it a night.
Back in the barn he got himself a small warm peppermint mash - his favorite! Tomorrow I'll work on relaxing the jaw again and if the trail is dryer take him out for a nice relaxing trail ride. If its wet, we'll tack up with the sidepull and do serpentines and circles at a walk in the arena.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Feedback from Video
I sent a copy of the video clip to Liz Graves and heard back from her this afternoon. Thankfully she was brutally honest (love this about her) and she put in writing some of the things I knew from watching the video but didn't want to say out loud.
Although G has developed more muscle and more strength, by overdoing lateral work and keeping too much contact with his mouth, we've hindered his back to front impulsion; he's not using his abdomen or back muscles properly and I'm using too much seat and leg on him. I truly have been so focused on contact and sideways movement that we've lost any ground we gained in the gaiting department. I watched this video a zillion times today, and I replayed in my head what was different between this and the work we did with Diane Sept a year ago. Diane had me bring out G's running walk with wonderful impulsion, which is so lacking today.
So what changed? I stopped focusing on "centered" riding as Diane teaches it and followed the more German art of dressage. I took up more contact, brought my hands up (sorry I wrote down by mistake) asked for too much contact, stopped stilling my center. Ugh, it makes me want to go back to simply riding the trails and enjoying the ride. No, that's not totally true as this did teach me a few valuable lessons. Prior to this I was an advocate that a good riding instructor doesn't need to know the gaited horse in order to advance the horse in its abilities. I now don't believe this is true. A good riding instructor can assist the rider in becoming a better rider; but not necessarily on a gaited horse. At least not one that needs work on its gaits. If someone doesn't understand how a horse should be using it's body in order to produce the proper gait, and only thinks "frame" well it just doesn't work. Regardless of how much they read. I love Deb to death, and I owe her a lot for the skills she has taught me, but not only did Claudia pick up things in the first 15 minutes that we were doing wrong, but a horsewoman who's opinions and knowledge I respect 100% picked up all the problems in a 7 minute clip.
Now we begin again....tomorrow we'll spend 20 minutes in the arena doing some suppling exercises and I don't care how cold it is, we're going to work on the outside track and work on gait. Root of the neck up, nose slightly in. I'll throw in some roll backs and maybe take him to the trail head and walk him up and down the hill for ten minutes.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up into the details of something that we lose sight of the big picture. Thankfully through Claudia coming to work with us and Liz being honest I can see the picture more clearly.
Oh, and this is another trainer that was recommended to me (by Liz) as he is a student of classical dressage rather than germanic. The funny thing is Mark Russell used to live around here! I'd heard his name but wasn't into dressage at the time. So I went to his website and found that he had two clinics here in New England the past couple of weeks, argh! I ordered his book Lessons in Lightness yesterday and am excited to see that he's now in Tennessee and not too far a drive from where we'll be living. Hopefully by then I'll be ready to start up anew!
http://www.markrusselltraining.com/
After conversing with Liz some more, she agreed that taking him back to the sidepull might be a good idea. So last night I pulled out our sidepull, which was covered in mildew since we haven't used it in some time. Cleaned it up, and tacked G up. After doing flexion using my hands on the bridge of his nose and on his neck on both sides, I did some flexion using light pulses with my hands on the reins. After about the 4th request the light bulb went off and he began to soften. I mounted up and the first 10 minutes I just walked him around the arena on a long rein. We did 3 loop serpentines and some circles. When I took up the reins and slightly bumped him he proceeded to give me a beautiful soft flat walk. No issues with where to carry his head, he just hit his own sweet spot and nodded away. So much lighter! Hard to believe a horse can get softer in a sidepull, but he did. We're going to spend the next 30 days in the sidepull and work in the oval track or arena. If we get an opportunity to trail ride I'll probably put him back in his snaffle, but we'll see.
Liz had mentioned at one of her clinics at EA that some horses were never taught how to pack a bit properly. I'm thinking this could be part of G's issue. This may be the next step in our journey.
Although G has developed more muscle and more strength, by overdoing lateral work and keeping too much contact with his mouth, we've hindered his back to front impulsion; he's not using his abdomen or back muscles properly and I'm using too much seat and leg on him. I truly have been so focused on contact and sideways movement that we've lost any ground we gained in the gaiting department. I watched this video a zillion times today, and I replayed in my head what was different between this and the work we did with Diane Sept a year ago. Diane had me bring out G's running walk with wonderful impulsion, which is so lacking today.
So what changed? I stopped focusing on "centered" riding as Diane teaches it and followed the more German art of dressage. I took up more contact, brought my hands up (sorry I wrote down by mistake) asked for too much contact, stopped stilling my center. Ugh, it makes me want to go back to simply riding the trails and enjoying the ride. No, that's not totally true as this did teach me a few valuable lessons. Prior to this I was an advocate that a good riding instructor doesn't need to know the gaited horse in order to advance the horse in its abilities. I now don't believe this is true. A good riding instructor can assist the rider in becoming a better rider; but not necessarily on a gaited horse. At least not one that needs work on its gaits. If someone doesn't understand how a horse should be using it's body in order to produce the proper gait, and only thinks "frame" well it just doesn't work. Regardless of how much they read. I love Deb to death, and I owe her a lot for the skills she has taught me, but not only did Claudia pick up things in the first 15 minutes that we were doing wrong, but a horsewoman who's opinions and knowledge I respect 100% picked up all the problems in a 7 minute clip.
Now we begin again....tomorrow we'll spend 20 minutes in the arena doing some suppling exercises and I don't care how cold it is, we're going to work on the outside track and work on gait. Root of the neck up, nose slightly in. I'll throw in some roll backs and maybe take him to the trail head and walk him up and down the hill for ten minutes.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up into the details of something that we lose sight of the big picture. Thankfully through Claudia coming to work with us and Liz being honest I can see the picture more clearly.
Oh, and this is another trainer that was recommended to me (by Liz) as he is a student of classical dressage rather than germanic. The funny thing is Mark Russell used to live around here! I'd heard his name but wasn't into dressage at the time. So I went to his website and found that he had two clinics here in New England the past couple of weeks, argh! I ordered his book Lessons in Lightness yesterday and am excited to see that he's now in Tennessee and not too far a drive from where we'll be living. Hopefully by then I'll be ready to start up anew!
http://www.markrusselltraining.com/
After conversing with Liz some more, she agreed that taking him back to the sidepull might be a good idea. So last night I pulled out our sidepull, which was covered in mildew since we haven't used it in some time. Cleaned it up, and tacked G up. After doing flexion using my hands on the bridge of his nose and on his neck on both sides, I did some flexion using light pulses with my hands on the reins. After about the 4th request the light bulb went off and he began to soften. I mounted up and the first 10 minutes I just walked him around the arena on a long rein. We did 3 loop serpentines and some circles. When I took up the reins and slightly bumped him he proceeded to give me a beautiful soft flat walk. No issues with where to carry his head, he just hit his own sweet spot and nodded away. So much lighter! Hard to believe a horse can get softer in a sidepull, but he did. We're going to spend the next 30 days in the sidepull and work in the oval track or arena. If we get an opportunity to trail ride I'll probably put him back in his snaffle, but we'll see.
Liz had mentioned at one of her clinics at EA that some horses were never taught how to pack a bit properly. I'm thinking this could be part of G's issue. This may be the next step in our journey.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Dressage for the Gaited Horse (11/21/08)
The Sunday of Equine Affaire, I picked Claudia Coombs up in W. Springfield and brought her to our barn to work with four horse/rider combinations. Our riding instructor rode Reno (the walking horse hubby likes to trail ride with); our barn owner rode her 4 year old Walker; another boarder who strictly trail rides with her Walker and me and G. We all had different goals and issues to contend with, and Claudia tackled them all. Everyone gave me positive feedback, so I think we will be trying to do a clinic with her next spring.
Okay for me and G. We’re basically going back to some basic work. I was correct in my assumption that Deb was asking me to use too much contact with G, which is why he was going behind the bit so much. So back to square one....I need to find G’s sweet spot, as does he. The other issue was rhythm. We’ve been doing so much lateral work the past few months that we’ve lost both rhythm and forward movement. I never knew that you could overdo lateral work, but Claudia said it can effect forward motion. We spent and hour and fifteen minutes basically working the walk; working on the proper connection; and getting G to react to my leg aids. Jeeze I remember when he was so hot off my leg – too hot. Now we have the opposite effect.
I can’t blame it all on G as I know I’ve been at fault at not keeping him honest. Part of it I blame on spending too much time in the arena this year (the trails have been muddy or weather not cooperative) and we both get bored inside. We used to do a lot more gaiting work outside, but with the footing being so lousy when we did get out I just spent time enjoying being outside rather than working at anything. Bad me. But I’m glad when I hear people like Liz Graves and Claudia say, just because a gaited horse has “easy” gaits, it doesn’t mean they always come easy, lol. They like any other athletic horse need to be worked and worked properly.
I’ve also allowed him to either a fall out of gait without correction; and continued to canter when it’s fallen apart. So we’ll be doing a lot of transitions the next few months to better develop his hind end and balance. Claudia explained that you can better a walk or a trot by continuing the gait, but when you get a bad canter continuing it will not produce a better canter ~ it generally will continue to deteriorate. So lots and lots of walk to canter transitions. Get two good strides today, praise and try for three tomorrow. Having hubby video tape the lesson was so beneficial. Not only did I get to experience it on Sunday, but I get to retake the lesson over and over.
I will probably never show G in dressage, unless it’s local fun type shows but I do want to keep working on his athleticism. I’ve always known that he’s a bit small for my stature, but didn’t realize that like equitation, in dressage a poorly matched horse/rider in size deducts points from your overall score. So if I’m ever to compete in dressage I would need to go back to riding 16+ hand horses. Our barn owner’s horses would be the right size for me, where G would be the perfect size for her, lol. My calves fall slightly lower on G’s barrel then where they should for proper leg aids, but I love my smaller boy!
Okay for me and G. We’re basically going back to some basic work. I was correct in my assumption that Deb was asking me to use too much contact with G, which is why he was going behind the bit so much. So back to square one....I need to find G’s sweet spot, as does he. The other issue was rhythm. We’ve been doing so much lateral work the past few months that we’ve lost both rhythm and forward movement. I never knew that you could overdo lateral work, but Claudia said it can effect forward motion. We spent and hour and fifteen minutes basically working the walk; working on the proper connection; and getting G to react to my leg aids. Jeeze I remember when he was so hot off my leg – too hot. Now we have the opposite effect.
I can’t blame it all on G as I know I’ve been at fault at not keeping him honest. Part of it I blame on spending too much time in the arena this year (the trails have been muddy or weather not cooperative) and we both get bored inside. We used to do a lot more gaiting work outside, but with the footing being so lousy when we did get out I just spent time enjoying being outside rather than working at anything. Bad me. But I’m glad when I hear people like Liz Graves and Claudia say, just because a gaited horse has “easy” gaits, it doesn’t mean they always come easy, lol. They like any other athletic horse need to be worked and worked properly.
I’ve also allowed him to either a fall out of gait without correction; and continued to canter when it’s fallen apart. So we’ll be doing a lot of transitions the next few months to better develop his hind end and balance. Claudia explained that you can better a walk or a trot by continuing the gait, but when you get a bad canter continuing it will not produce a better canter ~ it generally will continue to deteriorate. So lots and lots of walk to canter transitions. Get two good strides today, praise and try for three tomorrow. Having hubby video tape the lesson was so beneficial. Not only did I get to experience it on Sunday, but I get to retake the lesson over and over.
I will probably never show G in dressage, unless it’s local fun type shows but I do want to keep working on his athleticism. I’ve always known that he’s a bit small for my stature, but didn’t realize that like equitation, in dressage a poorly matched horse/rider in size deducts points from your overall score. So if I’m ever to compete in dressage I would need to go back to riding 16+ hand horses. Our barn owner’s horses would be the right size for me, where G would be the perfect size for her, lol. My calves fall slightly lower on G’s barrel then where they should for proper leg aids, but I love my smaller boy!
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