Ah, horses are just such great levelers. When you think you have it figured out they make sure that you don't get too cocky. After the awesome ride on Saturday I thought all will be well on Sunday. Think again. The light came through the door differently and Saumur decided to have nothing to do with this. Sure enough, I went back to the old habits (learned a long time ago at some cowboy clinics) to spin him around - not only that, but to Sandy's disgust, to spin him to the FORBIDDEN inside! Will I ever get it??? My mind knows better, my body just can't seem to follow it - so much for mind over matter.
I cheated and opened the door. We both relaxed and went by fine, even in the canter. But then of course Sandy wouldn't let us get away with it - and closed the door. We finished on a good note but I was drenched in sweat from all that nervous tension. And the point is: it's me - not him! The argument of "he started it" pretty much fell on deaf ears. I'm the one who should just deal with it in a more mature and educated way - yeah, right. Open the darn door :-)!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Lightbulb Moment?
It seems I finally got the hang of dealing with the spooking by the door: outside rein, inside leg and ABSOLUTELY no bend to the inside! That goes so against what I had been taught before "bend him to the inside and make him go by". But hey, it works!!
The other area we worked on where the turns, most of the time I struggle with having the haunches leading. So Sandy was really persistent about turning with the inside rein, leaving the outside leg neutral, then straighten on the center line. What helps me remembering to turn my torso correctly is thinking of turning the zipper of my vest, and keeping my neck and head in line with it.
I also had a lesson on Chambord, who is just such a different ride, but requires the same basics: keeping my back loose! This has always been my problem and I still struggle with finding a way to keep my back relaxed. But Chambord worked really well, too, he's made so much progress and is a fun ride.
It was one of those days where you get off your horses and you think you own the world :-)
The other area we worked on where the turns, most of the time I struggle with having the haunches leading. So Sandy was really persistent about turning with the inside rein, leaving the outside leg neutral, then straighten on the center line. What helps me remembering to turn my torso correctly is thinking of turning the zipper of my vest, and keeping my neck and head in line with it.
I also had a lesson on Chambord, who is just such a different ride, but requires the same basics: keeping my back loose! This has always been my problem and I still struggle with finding a way to keep my back relaxed. But Chambord worked really well, too, he's made so much progress and is a fun ride.
It was one of those days where you get off your horses and you think you own the world :-)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Finally up and running again
Saumur's hip injury is healed and we are back to full training with Sandy! We had the most amazing collected trot and canter in the deep snow in the outdoor arena last week. It was so awesome, I forgot to gripe for once about Michigan winters!
My current challenge is to be as relaxed in my back and muscles in the canter as I am in the trot. For some reason, in the canter my back tightens in the effort for more collection. I have the image from a Catherine Haddad article: RIDE WITH YOUR BONES, not your muscles. Meaning that the balance comes from the skeleton, and not from heavy muscle use.
My current challenge is to be as relaxed in my back and muscles in the canter as I am in the trot. For some reason, in the canter my back tightens in the effort for more collection. I have the image from a Catherine Haddad article: RIDE WITH YOUR BONES, not your muscles. Meaning that the balance comes from the skeleton, and not from heavy muscle use.
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