Lesson Report on Andy (with video)

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

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I had a lovely lesson on Andy today :)

Recently with my other instructor I've been working on relaxing and breathing but without the rest of my riding going out the window. 3 weeks later and I've just about got it so it really helped today when I was slowing his trot.

We were working on balancing him and rhythm so we really slowed his trot down and we were encouraging him to stretch down long and low to help build up his topline. The majority of it was okay but every now and again he had some amazing moments and felt fabulous.

Side to side suppleness was another thing we did by getting him to bend different directions and seeing how much bend we could actually get out of him. Please ignore my rubbishy position its a work in process (lots of lunge lessons) my left elbow was not behaving itself today :o

I think we also proved that you don't need to set your hands by your knees and fiddle the reins to get them to work long and low :)
CC as always please!

[youtube]YZSGaJukJqU[/youtube]

Please note shiney new breastplate which I have been saving up for a while but managed to buy it last week as we got insurance money through :D :D :D
 
WOW! My first thought when I saw this thread appearwas, you brave thing! After some of the comments you goptt on a recent posts about him.......
But to me he looks happy, and eager to please you. Well done.x
 
benson21 said:
WOW! My first thought when I saw this thread appearwas, you brave thing! After some of the comments you goptt on a recent posts about him.......
But to me he looks happy, and eager to please you. Well done.x
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Thank you :) I was very apprehensive of posting but he looks so much better from when all of that happened and I trust this instructors judgement and I think if he looked that bad she wouldn't have let me ride him.
 
Firstly he is looking so much better so well done you. I haven't posted on previous posts as I don't like to get involved.

Its a shame I don't have any sound on my computer as I would love to hear what your instructor is saying.

He looks much happier on the right rein and you can see occasions where he is beginning to try and stretch down in the trot.

On the left rein it starts off well and you can see a nice stretch starting at the beginning but then he seems to loose it and you struggle to get that back again.

I hope you don't mind advice but I would be inclined to come back to walk when his head goes up and do some walk trot walk to get him listening to you. Trotting round in circles with no really change in the way the horse is going can really make them bored quite quickly and is really not going to achieve much

Another tip would be to change the tempo of the trot, nice and slow almost a jog then push forwards into a slightly bigger trot....not faster but bigger.

Well done though he really is looking better and your riding isn't bad at all so don't put yourself down.
 
Halfpass said:
Firstly he is looking so much better so well done you. I haven't posted on previous posts as I don't like to get involved.

Its a shame I don't have any sound on my computer as I would love to hear what your instructor is saying.

He looks much happier on the right rein and you can see occasions where he is beginning to try and stretch down in the trot.

On the left rein it starts off well and you can see a nice stretch starting at the beginning but then he seems to loose it and you struggle to get that back again.

I hope you don't mind advice but I would be inclined to come back to walk when his head goes up and do some walk trot walk to get him listening to you. Trotting round in circles with no really change in the way the horse is going can really make them bored quite quickly and is really not going to achieve much

Another tip would be to change the tempo of the trot, nice and slow almost a jog then push forwards into a slightly bigger trot....not faster but bigger.

Well done though he really is looking better and your riding isn't bad at all so don't put yourself down.
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Thank you, advice is much appreciated and glad he is looking better :)
Its funny you noticed that about the left rein beacuse he does this in almost every session I have, he feeld better on it then he gets worse on it and the right rein seems to be better. I think it could be my riding but will work on doing more suppleing exercises to the left.

I don't normally trot in little circles like that, it was just whilst we were doing that exercise but he is so hard to keep concentrating, always having a nose at what is going but the trot-walk-trot might help, thanks.

The tempo change sounds like a good exercise to do, will give it a go when we're next schooling, thank you :)


rgoldenfilly Thank you :D I was so worried about posting in case I got some comments but glad people think he does look better
 
he's looking soooo much better - well done! Also, he's looking much more active behind and is starting to use his back in places, giving you a much springier trot. It looks, as Halfpass says, like he's getting the idea then losing it again - perhaps he's struggling with keeping the balance a little, but that will probably come as he gets fitter and stronger and as you both get to grips with each other.

big improvement in him, and you're riding well too. Well done!
 
Kokopelli said:
Thank you, advice is much appreciated and glad he is looking better :)
Its funny you noticed that about the left rein beacuse he does this in almost every session I have, he feeld better on it then he gets worse on it and the right rein seems to be better. I think it could be my riding but will work on doing more suppleing exercises to the left.
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This may well be down to your left elbow misbehaving!!!!
 
Nothing to add except I'd be tempted to include a few days a week longreining, over poles, and get his overtheback muscles stretching without you on board.

Agree that endless circles to no apparent avail are pointless and likely to cause boredom. Andy looks cheerful enough so probably no damage done, but worth bearing in mind. He looks like he needs more building up if you want him to be more 'through'.

Lovely day, looks like :)
 
JenHunt said:
he's looking soooo much better - well done! Also, he's looking much more active behind and is starting to use his back in places, giving you a much springier trot. It looks, as Halfpass says, like he's getting the idea then losing it again - perhaps he's struggling with keeping the balance a little, but that will probably come as he gets fitter and stronger and as you both get to grips with each other.

big improvement in him, and you're riding well too. Well done!
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Thank you. Thats what we were working on today, getting him to be a bit more elastic so glad it showed :)

Hollysmum said:
big thumbs up :D
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Fazzie said:
He looks brilliant hun! Well done :)
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Thank you :)

Halfpass said:
This may well be down to your left elbow misbehaving!!!!
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Didn't think of this! Thank you, I'll try and keep it under control and see if it makes a difference.

brighteyes said:
Nothing to add except I'd be tempted to include a few days a week longreining, over poles, and get his overtheback muscles stretching without you on board.

Agree that endless circles to no apparent avail are pointless and likely to cause boredom. Andy looks cheerful enough so probably no damage done, but worth bearing in mind. He looks like he needs more building up if you want him to be more 'through'.

Lovely day, looks like :)
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It was a lovely day actually :)

Was planning on starting longreining soon, I'm hoping he knows what he's doing, it wouldn't suprise me if he's done it before. Is it a good idea to do it out on hcks to keep it a bit more interesting?
 
I would also do a few days long reining a week with him and also classical in hand work. I am sure I posted on a previous thread about the in hand work but will say again. Really helps get the horse supple and builds up muscle esp through the back if done correctly without the weight of a rider on board. Cant recommend it enough.

There is a fantastic book by Oliver Hillberger called 'Schooling exercises in hand' that tells the story of an arab with a sway back that was so bad he had been written off by vets who now through all the in hand and long reining work schools high level dressage. It is a great step by step guide with really clear pictures. Also look on Youtube there a few videos by Becky Holden that show the basics of in hand work, she is a brilliant in hand trainer.

He is a lovely horse and he moves quite nice and freely, once you can get him to relax and work through his back he will be super. there were a few lovely moments in the vid and you ride him well.
 
charliejet said:
I would also do a few days long reining a week with him and also classical in hand work. I am sure I posted on a previous thread about the in hand work but will say again. Really helps get the horse supple and builds up muscle esp through the back if done correctly without the weight of a rider on board. Cant recommend it enough.

There is a fantastic book by Oliver Hillberger called 'Schooling exercises in hand' that tells the story of an arab with a sway back that was so bad he had been written off by vets who now through all the in hand and long reining work schools high level dressage. It is a great step by step guide with really clear pictures. Also look on Youtube there a few videos by Becky Holden that show the basics of in hand work, she is a brilliant in hand trainer.

He is a lovely horse and he moves quite nice and freely, once you can get him to relax and work through his back he will be super. there were a few lovely moments in the vid and you ride him well.
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Thanks for this I'm hoping that by the end of this year he will be going nicely. I just has a look on youtube and it does look very interesting and I think Andy will benfit greatly, at the least its something different to do with him :)
 
Holly Hocks said:
As always you look like a great partnership. If my dippy mare is half as good in six months, I will be more than happy. x
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Thank you so much

Vixstar said:
I haven't commented on previous posts, but have been following your progress.

Think your doing a fantastic job with him :D

Keep going with your updates :)
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Thank you :) Will keep everyone updated.
 
I wouldnt say he looks brilliant yet but only watched the first couple of minutes. What I would say is your instructor sounds fab and recognises what condition he is in and is tailoring her advice to that. Id love a lesson with her - shes working for her money.

Stick with it kiddo and keep us updated. (I sound like I know what I am talking about - dont believe a word off it :D)
 
You're both looking great! Some lovely moments there especially on the right rein!

Might be worth trying this, it works well with F and it's very simple...throw in more walk transitions and when he feels nice just let the reins go to the buckle and see what happens. He may offer to stretch all the way down and he may then find it easier when you pick him up. F seems to get better the more of these little breaks he gets, as I think they can get a little bit tense from trying to hold a position they are not yet accustomed to.
 
CalllyH said:
I wouldnt say he looks brilliant yet but only watched the first couple of minutes. What I would say is your instructor sounds fab and recognises what condition he is in and is tailoring her advice to that. Id love a lesson with her - shes working for her money.

Stick with it kiddo and keep us updated. (I sound like I know what I am talking about - dont believe a word off it :D)
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She is fantastic, really understands the horses and has taught me loads! Also brilliant when I lose my nerve :)

Booboos said:
You're both looking great! Some lovely moments there especially on the right rein!

Might be worth trying this, it works well with F and it's very simple...throw in more walk transitions and when he feels nice just let the reins go to the buckle and see what happens. He may offer to stretch all the way down and he may then find it easier when you pick him up. F seems to get better the more of these little breaks he gets, as I think they can get a little bit tense from trying to hold a position they are not yet accustomed to.
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Thanks, will keep this in mind and see how he goes hopefully it will improve our left rein :)
 
His condition looks to be coming along so well - he looks great! He's stunning in those glimmers when he lowers... you have the makings of such a great horse. Hope you have lots of fun getting there together 80)
 
As I'm new here I have no idea of you and your horse's history. I can also imagine that your instructor knows you and knows what you need to work on so I won't give you any advice with regards to that.

But I would like to say that it was lovely to see a good consistent tempo to your horse's trot. He was listening well and you were working him with minimum fuss. Yes, he does seem to go better on the right rein and he does look a little stiff with his neck. Your position is not bad at all - I would be asking for you to sit more on your bottom and a little more length through the ankle. This would enable your hips to have a more free movement when rising.

As this is my first time on a horse forum I do find it harder to type rather than speak - I'm more used to watching and instructing as it's happening! Please feel free to question what I've said!

All in all - you look like a good working team - horse and rider learning together.
 
CalllyH said:
I wouldnt say he looks brilliant yet but only watched the first couple of minutes. What I would say is your instructor sounds fab and recognises what condition he is in and is tailoring her advice to that. Id love a lesson with her - shes working for her money.

Stick with it kiddo and keep us updated. (I sound like I know what I am talking about - dont believe a word off it :D)
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I also thought your instructor was very good. Well Done hun. He looks much better and very springy in his trot. You are a very quiet rider. So pleased for you xx :D
 
Vixen Van Debz said:
His condition looks to be coming along so well - he looks great! He's stunning in those glimmers when he lowers... you have the makings of such a great horse. Hope you have lots of fun getting there together 80)
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Thank you :) I can't wait for those glimmers to become a bit more consistent hopefully by the summer he will look better.

pardalis said:
As I'm new here I have no idea of you and your horse's history. I can also imagine that your instructor knows you and knows what you need to work on so I won't give you any advice with regards to that.

But I would like to say that it was lovely to see a good consistent tempo to your horse's trot. He was listening well and you were working him with minimum fuss. Yes, he does seem to go better on the right rein and he does look a little stiff with his neck. Your position is not bad at all - I would be asking for you to sit more on your bottom and a little more length through the ankle. This would enable your hips to have a more free movement when rising.

As this is my first time on a horse forum I do find it harder to type rather than speak - I'm more used to watching and instructing as it's happening! Please feel free to question what I've said!

All in all - you look like a good working team - horse and rider learning together.
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I know what you mean by typing what you want to say, sometimes it is rather diffucult. Andy is an ex-pony racer who I've had nearly 2 months now and trying to turn into an eventer who can do a nice dressage test.

For the ankle thing would I lengthen my stirrups to do this or do it with the length my stirrups are at?

brighteyes said:
Just watched again and realised I had the sound turned down - the instructor said to work him in hand, too. So now I'm even more sure he's in the best of hands.
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I was going to do a bit today, not much as he's probably tired after yesterday and see how we get on, will keep you posted.

SmartieBean09 said:
I also thought your instructor was very good. Well Done hun. He looks much better and very springy in his trot. You are a very quiet rider. So pleased for you xx :D
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Thanks, she is brilliant I just wish I found her a couple of years ago :D
 
QR


Well done lass :D. Looks like you two are doing well :D :D


Don't fret about posting things on here :D. You are learning and you know where you're at now with Andy's fitness and abilities now, so just keep doing what your instructor tells you to and take on board some of the advice from here (the real trick is knowing what to follow and what to ignore ;)).
 
MrsMozart said:
QR


Well done lass :D. Looks like you two are doing well :D :D


Don't fret about posting things on here :D. You are learning and you know where you're at now with Andy's fitness and abilities now, so just keep doing what your instructor tells you to and take on board some of the advice from here (the real trick is knowing what to follow and what to ignore ;)).
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Thanks MrsM, I have a vague idead of those advice I follow on here :p

monkeybum13 said:
Looking good, well done! :D

Cheeky q, who is your instructor? PM if you prefer.
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Cheers, yeah no problem its Hannah Fenech she's based near Hartbury: http://hfequestrian.co.uk/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30

Oh and Happy Birthday :D Hope you have a nice day!
 
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