Yes, another Kali progress post . . .

[PolarSkye]

. . . please ignore if boring.

I'm trying really hard (weather and lameness (mine and his) permitting) to work him pretty much every day and to keep it varied. As I rode him in the school yesterday (see my OMG post), thought we'd lunge today.

Despite having the "divil" in his eyes, he actually worked really well - wasn't short on his left hind at all (he can come out stiff there and work through it) and offered up some lovely work - really stretching down over his back, good elevation (helped by work over poles) and active hocks. I'm starting to see muscle definition in his bum, he has definitely lost weight (I can actually do his neoprene girth up now - impossible five weeks ago), now I'd like to see some improvement in his top line.

One thing we've really been working on is getting him NOT to canter away from the poles (a baaaad habit) . . . he finds it hard and he does tend to rush a little, but he is now consistently staying in trot. I want to break his association between poles and jumping . . . for the pole work to be effective he needs to actually use himself properly over them - and he can't do that if he's rushing/tanking off - plus, I don't particularly fancy being carted off with when working over poles while on board!

My little horse is certainly clever . . . and he will try it on if permitted . . . but WHEN he engages and tries, he tries oh so hard. He will always be a monkey, but that's part of his charm (although it's not so charming when he's carting me round a field).

I'm trying to keep his work varied . . . so school (under saddle), lunge, long rein (around the gallops) and hack (either around the gallops or into the forest) on alternate days . . . because I can't hack at the minute (my hacking buddy is out of action), I'm spending more time in the school (which is good for my fitness) but I'm in need of more of a plan. We've been working on the quality of the pace - thus far walk and trot - and I've introduced poles . . . we also do lots of shapes/changes of bend . . . any other ideas?

P

 

[Fantasy_World]

It all sounds very good so far
Have you got any traffic cones or similar that you could use in the middle of the school to work around, or place poles on the ground so you can weave between them both leading and riding. That may be a nonsensical idea but I know I have done that with two of my horses in the past just for a bit of fun and to help them to bend and take notice of things.
I don't know if you are into desensitising horses or if you are just asking for other methods of schooling with poles, so if my answer is completely on the wrong track then just ignore lol.
What about using some bits of tarpaulin to lead over and ride over, just as a way of having a bit of fun whilst getting the horse to think.
I also used to do join up and just let them off for a roll and a run around in a school as well as riding and lunging. I think it just helps to break up the association between a school and having to work. Sometimes I would do this at the end of a lunging/riding session and whip the tack off and let them play, or else would just take in the school as they were untacked and basiscally have a play.
Otherwise if you are asking for methods of schooling I did have a great book which I sold a couple of years ago which had a lot of schooling sessions in it and it stated what levels they were for horse and rider. I just cannot remember its name though.
Good luck x

 

[PolarSkye]

It all sounds very good so far
Have you got any traffic cones or similar that you could use in the middle of the school to work around, or place poles on the ground so you can weave between them both leading and riding. That may be a nonsensical idea but I know I have done that with two of my horses in the past just for a bit of fun and to help them to bend and take notice of things.
I don't know if you are into desensitising horses or if you are just asking for other methods of schooling with poles, so if my answer is completely on the wrong track then just ignore lol.
What about using some bits of tarpaulin to lead over and ride over, just as a way of having a bit of fun whilst getting the horse to think.
I also used to do join up and just let them off for a roll and a run around in a school as well as riding and lunging. I think it just helps to break up the association between a school and having to work. Sometimes I would do this at the end of a lunging/riding session and whip the tack off and let them play, or else would just take in the school as they were untacked and basiscally have a play.
Otherwise if you are asking for methods of schooling I did have a great book which I sold a couple of years ago which had a lot of schooling sessions in it and it stated what levels they were for horse and rider. I just cannot remember its name though.
Good luck x

FW - thanks . . . just to set the scene, I'm bringing him back into work after having the winter off so everything we do needs to be geared to getting him fitter and improving his musculature (he has lost pretty much all of his topline). I love the idea of doing some desensitizing with him, but it wouldn't necessarily help with getting him muscled up again . . . the cones/poles idea is excellent though - I used to use cones at our previous yard . . . will try this. Also, can use poles to help with lateral work (not established even before his little holiday) . . . and I can do some of that from the ground (in hand and long reining) as well as on board.

I can't however, do any work at liberty in the school . . . YO is quite precious about the school surface so that's out (although it's a shame as I like free schooling.

P