rowy
Well-Known Member
Not sure if people saw my thread saying about what the vet said but its here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=592545
Have been slowly upping his fitness again and he is losing weight really well now
Still need him to lose a bit more but want to go for some longer hacks to do this which is hard when the weather is so bad 
Have got rid of the spurs as decided they made not much difference to him and he actually seems to get more stuffy in them. Was in a normal cavesson but he seemed to be getting really strong in the canter so swapped back to the drop and he seems lots better.
So after having 3 days off due to snow and being in 24/7, We jumped in the deep end a bit with our first ever Novice BD (and only 3rd time at novice).
It was absolutely freezing bitter strong wind but warmup and test was indoors. Warmed up very forward and a bit sharp (not surprising really) we did lots of short periods of trot and then did stretchy walk lots in between.
Decided he really doesn't like the thin HKM comp saddle cloth as he has been schooling in thick anky/ eskadron all winter so need a new saddle pad. Suggestions??
New approach to the test is to canter around the ring before the bell rings. This seemed to work as he was lovely and forward and for the first time ever didn't drop me down the centre line! Hurrah!!
First mistake is that we did the trot- walk- trot to change rein but as we went back up to trot he spotted his handsome self in the mirror and did a very fetching llama impression.
Medium trot actually resembled a medium trot for once! Have changed my approach to half half as we start on the diagnol and then ask for about 4 strides of medium and then bring him back as he isn't strong enough to do any more.
Canter went well until we did the 20m circle in the middle and at the point I was meant to ask for medium he spotted himself in the mirror again which meant he dropped back to trot and did his llama impression again :miffed: he then tripped on the way back up to canter.
Walk was hideous because he wasn't concentrating and was anticipating the transition back up to trot so played it safe. Its a shame as walk is his best pace.
Second medium I asked for too much so lost the rhythm and was a bit hurried.
Overall was pleased that his transitions had improved looooaaads over winter and he was bending around corners so much better! His canter is a billion times stronger and so so lovely now! But at the same time wasn't expecting a massive score due to all his mistakes and have lots to work on!
Went back later to find that I had got 65.38%!!! Which means first 3 shiny BD points AND first points towards the regionals! So so ecstatic!!! I thought I might be aiming a bit high for the novice restricted regionals this year but this score is really encouraging.
transition to walk:
transition to canter:
medium trot starting to resemble a medium!
Rowan's favourite part of the test- stretchy trot (I think he would love to do western lol)
Now have 2 novice tests at Arena UK next wednesday! Fingers crossed the weather stays ok.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=592545
Have been slowly upping his fitness again and he is losing weight really well now
Still need him to lose a bit more but want to go for some longer hacks to do this which is hard when the weather is so bad Have got rid of the spurs as decided they made not much difference to him and he actually seems to get more stuffy in them. Was in a normal cavesson but he seemed to be getting really strong in the canter so swapped back to the drop and he seems lots better. So after having 3 days off due to snow and being in 24/7, We jumped in the deep end a bit with our first ever Novice BD (and only 3rd time at novice).
It was absolutely freezing bitter strong wind but warmup and test was indoors. Warmed up very forward and a bit sharp (not surprising really) we did lots of short periods of trot and then did stretchy walk lots in between.
Decided he really doesn't like the thin HKM comp saddle cloth as he has been schooling in thick anky/ eskadron all winter so need a new saddle pad. Suggestions??
New approach to the test is to canter around the ring before the bell rings. This seemed to work as he was lovely and forward and for the first time ever didn't drop me down the centre line! Hurrah!!
First mistake is that we did the trot- walk- trot to change rein but as we went back up to trot he spotted his handsome self in the mirror and did a very fetching llama impression.
Medium trot actually resembled a medium trot for once! Have changed my approach to half half as we start on the diagnol and then ask for about 4 strides of medium and then bring him back as he isn't strong enough to do any more.
Canter went well until we did the 20m circle in the middle and at the point I was meant to ask for medium he spotted himself in the mirror again which meant he dropped back to trot and did his llama impression again :miffed: he then tripped on the way back up to canter.
Walk was hideous because he wasn't concentrating and was anticipating the transition back up to trot so played it safe. Its a shame as walk is his best pace.
Second medium I asked for too much so lost the rhythm and was a bit hurried.
Overall was pleased that his transitions had improved looooaaads over winter and he was bending around corners so much better! His canter is a billion times stronger and so so lovely now! But at the same time wasn't expecting a massive score due to all his mistakes and have lots to work on!
Went back later to find that I had got 65.38%!!! Which means first 3 shiny BD points AND first points towards the regionals! So so ecstatic!!! I thought I might be aiming a bit high for the novice restricted regionals this year but this score is really encouraging.
transition to walk:
transition to canter:
medium trot starting to resemble a medium!
Rowan's favourite part of the test- stretchy trot (I think he would love to do western lol)
Now have 2 novice tests at Arena UK next wednesday! Fingers crossed the weather stays ok.
he hasn't been bucking at all at home over the past couple of months but in this pad he was bucking in canter again. Granted, when I put saddle on completely straight he stopped but I think the think having a thin pad doesn't help.
