Our work gets checked - and our very own four-hooved alarm system

Remy and I were fortunate enough to pick up an extra lesson as another of Roz' students cancelled her lesson this week I thought it would be a good opportunity for Roz to check our work. It's one thing to see what's going on with horse and rider, but a skilled trainer also needs to feel from time to time what horse and rider are up to, as some things might not feel as they look or don't look like they feel (i.e. connection). 

Yes, I was a bit concerned, would Remy tattle on all my riding flaws? To my big relief Roz pronounced "he feels good!" when checking his controls. It was good that she felt him way more responsive to the leg (that's something we had been especially working on). Whew! And of course, when I got on Remy after Roz he felt amazing. Now all I had to do was keep it... no rest for the weary!

Speaking of tattling: JP and I had just sat down to dinner when we heard Saumur whinny quite determinedly. We wondered what was going on, me being me I asked JP if he had forgotten to feed Saumur his dinner? (Uh, my bad). Nope, no issues with the dinner, and it was too early for night hay. We decided to ignore Saumur, I know him so well that I knew that this was his angry/determined voice and not something related to pain (when he is in pain he is quiet, or at most grunts). 

Well, in addition to Saumur now taking his voice up a few notches the dogs started to bark, and we finally glimpsed at the cause of all the ruckus:  A bay butt next to the garage. What the heck?? It was Remy, happily grazing his way towards the house. He was calm and happy, perhaps wondering about his good fortune of being out while his buddies had to stay in their rooms. I looped a dog leash around his neck and let the vagabond back to the barn. As soon as Remy walked in Saumur stopped calling. 

Turns out *someone* didn't close Remy's stall door. Instead of wandering back to the pasture or out in the fenced in front of the barn Remy walked through the hay storage (who wants hay when there is grass on the other side??) and moseyed up to the house. Potential next stop on his list: Our couch-

Guess it's a good thing that we have our very own four-hooved alarm system in the barn: Saumur. No app for that, only need to provide plenty of treats!

He's coming along nicely - but not without 'voicing' his opinion

This week brought a bit cooler temps, so we were able to have our lessons in the regulation size outdoor arena (20x60m). This larger space entices the horses to go forward more, the 'end of the line' is a bit farther away.

Remy didn't quite get the long leisurely weekend he had probably hoped for. It seems his "Monday Blues" are worse when he has too much time loafing around. And the strategy worked: He was way better getting back to work. Roz is so great with giving us always new exercises, it keeps us on our toes AND gets the goals accomplished. Case in point: Remy still has a tendency to ignore my leg. So Roz has us trotting nicely forward on the long side, and then at a marker, i.e. at V, we walk, do a smooth turn on the haunches, and trot briskly off again in the other direction. No rinse, just repeat. It wakes Remy right up and makes him more obedient to the leg.

As he was quite good in the snaffle yesterday we decided today was a "Double (Bridle) Day". As this is still new to him I am very careful to keep the curb reins quite loose. As Remy as a very nice forward in the larger outdoor space the double bridle helps me keeping him more 'up' while maintaining the momentum.

Still, not many dull moments with the guy: We took a small break as Roz was explaining something to me. Remy obviously thought he was done. Sure enough, he used the next right lead canter for a "spook and scoot". I growled at him and immediately made him go forward in the trot. Remy was clearly disappointed that I foiled his plan of making me quit. Nope, no such luck, Mister! Wouldn't you know it, this produced the best medium/extended trots so far. And yes, Remy had to go back to the right lead canter and finish that one nicely, which he did.

"Can't blame a guy for trying" - as long as he gets better in the process!

The Posture Clinic paid off - one thing he can't sulk about

Ah, Remy presented me with his 'bill' for my absence during Tuesday's lesson: He was sulking. I knew something was off the moment I got to the pasture and had to drag him back to the barn. He didn't pee in his stall before we left  (not good as that means his back is tight and he doesn't want to move forward), and sure enough, I felt like I had to press molasses in cold weather around. Roz took pity on me and gave me her (small) spurs as Remy was completely blowing my leg aids off. And no, having to 'go' was not an excuse - he had ample opportunity to relieve himself but he just didn't want to... dogs are definitely easier!

It took about all I had to get through my lesson in the stifling heat, but at least Remy was no worse for the wear. Grr!

Luckily we had the next day to make up for it, and wouldn't you know it, I had a changed horse. We took our brand new double bridle for its 'test drive', and to my great relief it fits and Remy likes it. It's tough to buy clothes for other people, uh, horses. The bridle has very soft vegetable tanned leather*, is well padded and has an anatomical design.

As Remy was back to his normal self it was so much easier for me to relax -no squeezing molasses- and focus on the job at hand. Roz commented on my position and that the clinic really has helped me a lot with my posture. My back is no longer so rigid, and overall the alignment is much better. At least that is one thing my "Petit Voyou" (Little Rascal) can't sulk about!

* Vegetable-tanning is the true "chromium-free" method, and does not have harmful chemicals. It is an old-world, artisanal process that takes advantage from the tannic acids naturally found in some plant species, by using the barks, branches, leaves and even some fruits in some specific techniques. 

Being the horse and being the rider - and the guys have all the luck (when it comes to saddle fit)

The best laid plans didn't quite work out. Just before hitching the trailer I noticed a large crack in the truck's windshield. Yikes. It seemed to increase simply by staring at it. JP thought I overreacted (as usual in his mind) but nevertheless rushed off to the repair shop. Alas, no immediate appointment was available, ergo Remy had to stay home. Imagining us stranded at the edge of the highway with a smashed windshield in 90+F made the decision easy.

So I loaded my zippy GTI with all the accoutrements, such as the exercise ball (it took up almost the entire rear seat), yoga mats, suitcase and pointed North towards Glenda's farm for the Posture Clinic with Kerry Picken.

Kerry is a posture coach, using Pilates exercises to improve the riders' postures (www.centergy3.com). She turned out to be a great instructor with a super dressage background, very knowledgeable, fun, but also demanding all the while taking the individual challenges of the participants into consideration. Kudos go to Carolyn, a spry 81 year old, who was NOT going to be left behind in any of the exercises, on or off the horse!

On the mat and exercise ball we learned how to use our core muscles, hip opener and spine stretches, hamstring curls, ball balance, and much more such as lifting the pelvic floor (yes, sounds strange but it is very important to the rider's seat).

Kerry demonstrated how the correct and incorrect seats feel on the horse... on me! It was super educational, because if her seat wasn't correct I couldn't lift my back. That translates exactly to the horse, of course.

Kerry sits correctly, so the 'horse' can lift its back

With that impression on my mind I was very careful when it was time to get on Glenda's former cutting horse, Lectric Boomer (Glenda had generously offered to share him with me). It was great to feel that I could get him to walk off just by engaging my core. Another cool thing I learned -amongst many- was bringing my belly button forward in the extensions, drawing it in for collection.

Figuring out where all the pieces should be correctly placed

Luanne, the Schleese saddle fitter, came with her own accoutrements: two pelves (yep, that's the plural of pelvis, in case you wonder). She explained saddle fit for the riders in detail. It made it very clear why saddles built for men are not working for women - however, saddles for women will work for men. Go figure! Once again, it's easier for the guys. Life is definitely not fair :-)

Left is the male pelvis, right the female pelvis

Flags and Horses - Happy 4th of July

Another hot day, so again wake up call at 6 a.m. to get the riding and Ziggy walking in. It was well worth it as we had so much fun. I thought it would be the perfect day to work the boys with the flag. We do have a beautiful large flag that flies proudly at our barn, a gift from Glenda because "every barn needs a flag".

It was the first time that we introduced Chambord to the flag, Remy had seen it before at Brandt's.
I just wanted to show it to them, waving it around their bodies to familiarize them with the unfamiliar sound and feel. JP, of course (!), had to take it up several notches: He picked up the flag from horseback and rode off with it. Remy looked on and seemed to say "Hey, why does Chambord get to have all the fun??"

Love the exercises - but schlepping our stuff not so much

It seems not long ago I lamented the freezing temperatures. Well, complete turnaround: Heat Warning as temps are in the high 90sF (35C)  with 'generous' humidity.

Good thing that the trailer ride to Roz' only takes about 30 minutes, and our trailer has windows that can be lowered thus allowing for more airflow. Remy can't stick his head out, there are safety bars, and he wears a fly mask to protect from dust. Another good -actually great- thing is that the arena is well ventilated, we don't have to work out in the sun, and -I repeat myself- I can breathe!

Back into the snaffle and from the beginning Remy started out soft and supple, going nicely forward. Roz introduced us to an exercise I really liked: Medium canter on the diagonal, trot at X, and proceed medium trot. Transitions, transitions... but going forward in the transitions. We are also getting more oomph in our flying changes, actually so much (after I tapped Remy lightly) that he jumped up and I ended up having quite some daylight between my rear end and the saddle. Roz commented "well, that one was in a half-seat but up and clean".

Our walk-pirouettes can feel quite 'sticky', but another good exercise got us on the right track: Think of half-pass and then move him around. That did the trick.

The one thing about the trailering to lessons I don't relish too much in hot weather is schlepping all the equipment: Saddle, bridle, girth, saddle pad, grooming kit, boots, helmet, gloves, water, spurs, fly spray, leg and tail protection, etc. - and then I do have a tendency to leave things behind. So I dug out the rolling saddle stand that sat abandoned under lots of dust in my tack room. I never liked it much because it's so heavy and cumbersome, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. It does reduce the trips from trailer to barn from three to one, and all the stuff is in one place (theoretically).

Speaking of schlepping stuff... Glenda sent me a reminder of what to pack for our trip Up North (Northern Michigan) for the Posture Clinic. Uff! All the aforementioned plus hay, shavings, buckets, feed - my paltry little suitcase will have to struggle for space. This reminds me of...

JP moving into my apartment in Germany. I couldn't believe my eyes when he showed up with his suitcases: The man had more shoes than I did! So really, I should be used to "Guys and their stuff" by now.