Sharpening one tool - and digging out another one

Well, Remy’s “tool” –aka his saddle- needed to be ‘sharpened’ yet again. It’s only been three months since the last adjustment, but I felt that the saddle was off. It seemed too low in the back and I had a hard time keeping my legs in the correct position. So, Luanne to the rescue. Luckily she was able to fit us into her busy schedule rather quickly. And I was right: Luanne measured Remy and confirmed that his shoulders grew wider, hence putting the saddle out of alignment. Not only the saddle, me, too! So – some tree tweaking and flocking adjustments and we are back in business.

The other tool I am referring to is something I have neglected, and I really do not know why. It’s the one-rein stop. It just hit me the other day that the trusted one-rein stop (honed by years of riding Saumur) would help me get my confidence back in dicey situations with Remy. To quote Buck Brannaman:

“In order for you to advance, you have to do this without a problem. This will be absolutely necessary for you to do…If you can’t walk, trot, and canter and then stop with a one-rein stop, then you ought to practice every chance you get….It ought to be something that you would bet your life on.”

You need the skill and confidence to NOT constrain a horse when it bolts or panics.

So I have been throwing some practice one-rein stops into the training mix, and I am really happy that I dug out that old and trusted tool again.

To close with another Buck quote:

“Don’t be a victim. Be busy with your horse so you stay out of trouble – otherwise, trouble will come and find you. Be assertive, but don’t be aggressive, if you are aggressive you’ll make the horse flighty. The horse needs perimeters like anyone else. Give them guidance, support, rules. The same rules. Don’t change the game, don’t let them have excuses just because of their past.. and love them.”

Plan your ride - ride your plan

OK, that’s pretty much plagiarized from the old foxhunting mantra “Plan your Hunt – Hunt your Plan”. Still, gotta have a plan – and my plan is very easy: Keep my hind end in the saddle!

Saumur has had me well trained over the years. I have been riding more or less in a modified two-point position, not willing to put my (whopping) weight into the saddle for fear of upsetting Saumur. As soon as he spooked I became even lighter in the saddle, so as not to disturb him. Not sure where that logic came from – certainly not from a dressage book or instructor.

With Remy it is really important that he feels me firm and steady in the saddle as it gives him confidence. With Judy’s help I’ve been working hard on improving my position and it’s coming together now. No (especially undeserved) flattery from Jude, so I was really happy when she commented yesterday “you have always been a pretty rider, but now you are an effective one”. Hohes Lob aus berufenem Munde! That made me really happy.

Plan my ride: Keeping my butt firmly glued to the saddle. Ride my plan: Someone better be ready to pluck me off afterwards!

 

I'm working on my head - and some interesting conversations

“Working on my head” means addressing the bouts of anxiety I am still experiencing. Flashbacks to being thrown, to be precise. I am embarrassed to admit it, after all, there are people breaking bones or worse and get on with it. From a rational standpoint I know very well that it was a freak accident, but my mind doesn’t seem to be convinced. Enter Julie, certified Hypnotherapist. She had helped me in the past and so I booked another session. If nothing else (not to diminish her talents in any way!) I always leave deeply relaxed.

After the session we chatted a bit and Julie offered to come to our place and treat Remy also. I was rather skeptical, to be honest. Hypnotherapy I can grasp and see where it helps – but talking with a horse? Nevertheless, I thought it can’t hurt, and so Remy had his session.

It was really interesting to see how he reacted, I had him loose on a leadrope in the barn and Julie was sitting in a chair in front of him. Remy didn’t move, but I could see how his ears were going back and forth showing that he was indeed engaged in some non-verbal communication. He was relaxed the entire time, deeply sighing. Julie said she could feel that he has the biggest heart ever, Remy wants to please, and that he is a real sweetheart.

So.. how did the conversation go? Well, Remy communicated that he felt really shocked and guilty about what happened and that his biggest fear is  that “he gets send away again”. Now, that is interesting. I never told Julie about his past. Remy was sold as a six month old and got shipped from California to Montana. From there he was sold as a three year old and subsequently had to travel across the country to get to us. Remy also mentioned that he doesn’t always like his work (hah!), it is sometimes too constraining and he likes to be free. Hmm… buddy, wouldn’t we all like this!

Still, I take the hints: We’ll make sure the work is appropriate, the playtime is ample – and yes, it is a lifetime commitment for both of us. So, where’s my ring? J