blood_magik
Well-Known Member
A little update on Jerry's attempt to become a dressage diva:
I honestly can't believe the difference changing my saddle has made
I popped my new stressage saddle on Jerry tonight along with my pelham to have a play and he felt like a different horse.
I started by working on collection and extension to get him listening to me and almost got bounced off by his extended trot
he's come a long way with collecting as he used to find it really difficult and would lean heavily on the forehand. He still leans a bit but he's finding it easier to shorten his stride.
Onto the canter:
We maintained a nice outline!
I've been working on our canter for several months, trying to get him to sit back onto his hocks more so that we get a lovely bouncy but still powerful canter. I guess the dressage saddle put my legs into the "perfect" position as Jerry automatically came down onto the bit and produced the comfiest canter I've ever had on him (it's usually the 12ft stride sort of canter required for jumping)
He even managed to come down into a lovely outline on our bad rein so I was super chuffed with my big ginger muppet - until he spooked at a baby bunny that had decided to come out and munch on the grass next to the arena
We've got simple changes nailed now although I have a tendency to collapse slightly during the downwards transition from canter to walk
I attempted some counter canter, but Jerry was being a smarty-pants and kept trying to correct his canter lead
I think I need to spend some time doing this with an instructor present as I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong/what I need to do to encourage him to keep the counter canter.
Jerry's now got the hang of flying changes as well - he's hillarious as he does this huge jump sort of thing and tries to bounce you out of the saddle
He only left his back legs behind once today, which is a huge improvement.
I would appreciate any ideas on how to improve our counter canter
I can offer mini veggie spring rolls and diet coke if you've made it this far x
I honestly can't believe the difference changing my saddle has made
I popped my new stressage saddle on Jerry tonight along with my pelham to have a play and he felt like a different horse.
I started by working on collection and extension to get him listening to me and almost got bounced off by his extended trot
he's come a long way with collecting as he used to find it really difficult and would lean heavily on the forehand. He still leans a bit but he's finding it easier to shorten his stride.Onto the canter:
We maintained a nice outline!
I've been working on our canter for several months, trying to get him to sit back onto his hocks more so that we get a lovely bouncy but still powerful canter. I guess the dressage saddle put my legs into the "perfect" position as Jerry automatically came down onto the bit and produced the comfiest canter I've ever had on him (it's usually the 12ft stride sort of canter required for jumping)
He even managed to come down into a lovely outline on our bad rein so I was super chuffed with my big ginger muppet - until he spooked at a baby bunny that had decided to come out and munch on the grass next to the arena
We've got simple changes nailed now although I have a tendency to collapse slightly during the downwards transition from canter to walk
I attempted some counter canter, but Jerry was being a smarty-pants and kept trying to correct his canter lead
I think I need to spend some time doing this with an instructor present as I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong/what I need to do to encourage him to keep the counter canter.Jerry's now got the hang of flying changes as well - he's hillarious as he does this huge jump sort of thing and tries to bounce you out of the saddle
He only left his back legs behind once today, which is a huge improvement.
I would appreciate any ideas on how to improve our counter canter
I can offer mini veggie spring rolls and diet coke if you've made it this far x
