PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
. . . but you get the picture!
After last Sunday's setback, I was determined (quite a new sensation!) that we would persevere and continue with the otherwise good progress this weekend.
I went up to ride him on Friday but found he was knackered after being schooled by Jen four times in the week so opted to give him a break. Saturday I rode him in the field . . . warmed him up around the jumps (which given how much he lurves jumping took some bravery on my part). He was angel - walk and trot around the jumps, no napping towards the gate, no calling - no anxiety of any kind. Then we went in the (dressage) arena and worked on our homework from the previous weekend - pushing my hands forward once he has offered to take a contact and using my leg to create the energy - he obliged by bending around my inside leg, softening, lifting his back and maintaining the softness/bend through all the changes of rein we made across the school. Rode for about 45 minutes - finished by kicking feet out of stirrups and mooching about on the buckle. Much better than the previous Sunday. Still couldn't get that same softness in the trot, though - but did push him on/create more energy (which I've been reluctant to do b/c his movement is quite big/he has pissed off with me).
Yesterday we went for a hack - and onto the scary canter track. Yes, we stayed in walk, but I got the same softness/roundness, we were both relaxed, he didn't nap. Result. We haven't hacked like that for over a year.
In the afternoon, I took him back into the field, determined (yes, again) to crack the softness in the trot. And by golly we did it! Inside leg to outside rein really does work - especially if I leave the wretched inside rein alone. I was talking to myself (out loud) - "inside leg/outside rein, inside leg/outside rein, inside leg, inside leg, inside leg" and when we got it, I was positively shouting "INSIDE LEG, INSIDE LEG, INSIDE LEG." I'm sure the horses in the next field (and the goats) thought I was utterly barking . . . but I was so chuffed that I was able to get that out of him . . . and so very pleased with him. After alot of pats and hugs (and a stretch for him) we had another go - and got it again - at least two full circles of lovely soft, engaged trot. Woohoo! I've never managed to get that kind of engagement out of ANY horse, much less him . . . but he regularly goes that beautifully for Jen (my trainer).
When we bought him, he couldn't walk without rushing because he was so unbalanced, much less work properly from behind. Now he's round and "through" in all three paces (for Jen).
My nutty, stressy, argumentative, opinionated pony is turning into an obliging, trusting, willing boy .
Yes, this is a shameless brag . . . I'm just so darned proud of him . . . and so thrilled that I got such great work out of him yesterday.
P
After last Sunday's setback, I was determined (quite a new sensation!) that we would persevere and continue with the otherwise good progress this weekend.
I went up to ride him on Friday but found he was knackered after being schooled by Jen four times in the week so opted to give him a break. Saturday I rode him in the field . . . warmed him up around the jumps (which given how much he lurves jumping took some bravery on my part). He was angel - walk and trot around the jumps, no napping towards the gate, no calling - no anxiety of any kind. Then we went in the (dressage) arena and worked on our homework from the previous weekend - pushing my hands forward once he has offered to take a contact and using my leg to create the energy - he obliged by bending around my inside leg, softening, lifting his back and maintaining the softness/bend through all the changes of rein we made across the school. Rode for about 45 minutes - finished by kicking feet out of stirrups and mooching about on the buckle. Much better than the previous Sunday. Still couldn't get that same softness in the trot, though - but did push him on/create more energy (which I've been reluctant to do b/c his movement is quite big/he has pissed off with me).
Yesterday we went for a hack - and onto the scary canter track. Yes, we stayed in walk, but I got the same softness/roundness, we were both relaxed, he didn't nap. Result. We haven't hacked like that for over a year.
In the afternoon, I took him back into the field, determined (yes, again) to crack the softness in the trot. And by golly we did it! Inside leg to outside rein really does work - especially if I leave the wretched inside rein alone. I was talking to myself (out loud) - "inside leg/outside rein, inside leg/outside rein, inside leg, inside leg, inside leg" and when we got it, I was positively shouting "INSIDE LEG, INSIDE LEG, INSIDE LEG." I'm sure the horses in the next field (and the goats) thought I was utterly barking . . . but I was so chuffed that I was able to get that out of him . . . and so very pleased with him. After alot of pats and hugs (and a stretch for him) we had another go - and got it again - at least two full circles of lovely soft, engaged trot. Woohoo! I've never managed to get that kind of engagement out of ANY horse, much less him . . . but he regularly goes that beautifully for Jen (my trainer).
When we bought him, he couldn't walk without rushing because he was so unbalanced, much less work properly from behind. Now he's round and "through" in all three paces (for Jen).
My nutty, stressy, argumentative, opinionated pony is turning into an obliging, trusting, willing boy .
Yes, this is a shameless brag . . . I'm just so darned proud of him . . . and so thrilled that I got such great work out of him yesterday.
P
such a wonderful feeling when it all comes together
