Hedwards
Well-Known Member
Well yesterday was the day, a friend and I had booked in together, neither of us have transport so we were hacking to the venue (about 2 miles). To say I was nervous is an understatement. I've only been riding William (Willie) for about 5 weeks, and he's completely different from my old girl Connie (15.1 cob x), whereas Willie is a 17.2 chunk of a warmblood!
We had an hour hack there and then straight in. Willie's owner was also watching to add pressure!
Jane was brilliant, put us at ease straight away, we wore ear piece things (first for me) and wow, how much easier did that make things!!
We initially worked in walk on a 'square' using about 2/3rds of the school, trying to keep the 'weight' in each rein equal. Willie was very tense, rushing and basically very difficult! Jane just told me to contr the pace and concentrate on straightness, we moved into trot and had a very similar situation. We came into the middle, and Jane said that she thought it was great Willie was forward thinking, but I needed to concentrate on getting his neck loose and long (the old 2/3rds of the horse in front of the leg 1/3 behind) I completely agreed, but couldn't quite grasp the whole letting his head and neck out without him shooting off...
The next exercise was all about inside flexion, this is where everything seemed to click. Just inside flexion up the long side, straight up the short side, then onto a big circle, utilising the flexion, into trot and a continuation of the same exercises, and using inside flexion for each and every corner, circle etc. Willie was absolutely great we just seemed to understand each other, I could let him extend his neck down, he was so loose and supple, and I was able to sit up and back and really ride him forwards rather than holding him back and ending up leaning forward. We finished by letting their necks stretch right out and down in trot before coming back to walk. I was just so pleased, and proud of the boy, he worked really well.
My friend who has a completely different type of horse, also had a great time.
We tied both horses up, untacked and gave them a net each for an hour or so before getting back on and hacking home.
Me and my friend had huge smiles on the way back, feeling we'd really achieved something, and have plenty to work on! Definitely going to the next one!
Would recommend Jane Peberdy, she without asking very quickly picked up that Willie and I were at the early stages of his training and worked to that.
No photos of the clinic, but here they are just before their saddles came off after the clinic
and at home, a well earned roll - AND no rugs!! first time this year!!
We had an hour hack there and then straight in. Willie's owner was also watching to add pressure!
Jane was brilliant, put us at ease straight away, we wore ear piece things (first for me) and wow, how much easier did that make things!!
We initially worked in walk on a 'square' using about 2/3rds of the school, trying to keep the 'weight' in each rein equal. Willie was very tense, rushing and basically very difficult! Jane just told me to contr the pace and concentrate on straightness, we moved into trot and had a very similar situation. We came into the middle, and Jane said that she thought it was great Willie was forward thinking, but I needed to concentrate on getting his neck loose and long (the old 2/3rds of the horse in front of the leg 1/3 behind) I completely agreed, but couldn't quite grasp the whole letting his head and neck out without him shooting off...
The next exercise was all about inside flexion, this is where everything seemed to click. Just inside flexion up the long side, straight up the short side, then onto a big circle, utilising the flexion, into trot and a continuation of the same exercises, and using inside flexion for each and every corner, circle etc. Willie was absolutely great we just seemed to understand each other, I could let him extend his neck down, he was so loose and supple, and I was able to sit up and back and really ride him forwards rather than holding him back and ending up leaning forward. We finished by letting their necks stretch right out and down in trot before coming back to walk. I was just so pleased, and proud of the boy, he worked really well.
My friend who has a completely different type of horse, also had a great time.
We tied both horses up, untacked and gave them a net each for an hour or so before getting back on and hacking home.
Me and my friend had huge smiles on the way back, feeling we'd really achieved something, and have plenty to work on! Definitely going to the next one!
Would recommend Jane Peberdy, she without asking very quickly picked up that Willie and I were at the early stages of his training and worked to that.
No photos of the clinic, but here they are just before their saddles came off after the clinic
and at home, a well earned roll - AND no rugs!! first time this year!!