Update on Ben...

[Queenbee]

Just a very quick update on Ben, I took advantage of the break in weather this afternoon to have a quick school on Ben. You may have seen this thread...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=582167

Well, today was the first time since taking the videos that I got him in the school, and I have to say I was pretty chuffed with him . At first he careered around like a bit of a nutter, but he hasn't done much for a few days so was a bit fresh, once he'd got this out of his system. I decided to just do some up and down transitions with him, lengthen his reins right out and focus on just going up and down from trot to walk, walk to trot, from marker to marker. Keeping my seat still and everything very calm. He was noticeable 'more alert' with me on his back anyway, so I. Didn't worry about impulsion, just transitions. The first transition was down to walk and I felt him step right under himself, by transition number three, his back was well up underneath me and his head was stretching forward and down into a lovely contact... My reins were really long and he was just reaching into it. We did lots of transitions and changes of reins for about five minutes than a lovely nice walk out up the road to cool off before bed and dinner. So the transitions and letting the reins go really worked well. Sadly no one there to video it as most people had gone home hoping to do the same again tomorrow and get a video of it so everyone can see the difference thank you all for your tips and words of encouragement and compliments on the lad himself... I will be getting back together with the girl who rides him during the week after Christmas, so hopefully we can get them working that way too

 

[tallyho!]

Sounds like you had a great session! The impulsion naturally came along when you had him listening and reaching with his whole body! Result. Looking forward to more of Ben!

 

[FairyLights]

Glad its going well. Do please keep updating us.

 

[Queenbee]

Thank you we had a small hack and then went in the school today... Although the brain just wasn't up to its epic standards of yesterday lol! And he kept veering from lazy to speedy... Just couldn't quite get the tempo or focus, so I though sod it, and bumped him into canter, to give him something totally different and new... He did a bit of a buck into it. this was a buck, not bouncy strike off and we were on the wrong leg but I just let him keep going since his canter is nice and steady, and took him round for a change of rein down the diagonal, then one full circuit on the correct lead, back to trot then walk, and then a pat and a walk up the road on a long rein. Really good way to end the session. Very proud of him... A bit hair brained in the school but our First canter under saddle in there. Day off tomorrow then a nice hack on Boxing Day or the day after... He deserves a rest... He really was quite tired by the end of it which is no mean feat bless him. He has had an extra big cuddle, extra strong mints (his Christmas treat) and a big dinner tonight. Can't believe it's been six months since we said goodbye to ebs and five months since he was backed, I couldn't be more proud of him and can see us not making a fool of ourselves in the show ring next year... Bonus