tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827884577262950018.post7416741444926922556..comments2023-06-09T07:03:21.080-05:00Comments on How Did This Happen?: 4/7/2013 HarleyJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14881593490904020561noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827884577262950018.post-74475321247283273932013-04-08T21:08:27.415-05:002013-04-08T21:08:27.415-05:00I hear you - funny, how we're supposed to have...I hear you - funny, how we're supposed to have "soft" hands, but yet firm contact... I do the same thing :)SunnySDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591623033468632399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827884577262950018.post-18590631900704437612013-04-08T09:46:02.430-05:002013-04-08T09:46:02.430-05:00Thanks!!! I giggled some, because that's what...Thanks!!! I giggled some, because that's what Barb has said in some lessons - my hands are too soft. Now, with the reins shorter, I guess my subconscious is determined to "go easy", thus the arms reaching forward. <br /><br />Definitely something to work on, now that I have read it / seen it. Thank you again! Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14881593490904020561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6827884577262950018.post-21301114864219809562013-04-08T09:39:46.313-05:002013-04-08T09:39:46.313-05:00Camel fleas, yikes! Don't want any of those :...Camel fleas, yikes! Don't want any of those :) Hope this reads as constructive, 'cause it's sure meant to be.<br /><br />What caught my eye mostly was how soft and easy the pair of you look. Like you say, he's young and still building topline muscle and getting used to collecting and rounding, but he's definitely getting the idea.<br /><br />You're getting a nice break at the poll, and when you do ask him to collect more he doesn't look as if he's resisting so much as he's just not quite able to carry himself for long periods of time yet. New saddle might be part of that, too. There are some nice moments, though. But you're right, <i>you</i> do look like you're having to push him some. Relaxed is good, though :)<br /><br />His transitions are really pretty - in fact the whole ride is. <br /><br />Glad to see I'm not the only one who spends a fair amount of time looking down and leaning forward, but I've seen a LOT worse, and it's really hard not to do it when you're riding solo and focusing on what your horse is doing. For whatever it's worth, the one other thing that struck me rider-wise is your arm position - you reach forward with your whole arm, which contributes to making it look like you're leaning forward, even when you're not. Keeping your upper arm in and back against your sides would do a couple of things: it's harder to round your shoulders and back when your arms are straight against your sides, and it also helps stabilize your lower arms and hands and reduces the risk of bouncing the bit around in his mouth (and it gives you a nicer line, but that's cosmetic). And I'm guessing your hands are pretty stable, because Harley doesn't look like he's too concerned about the bit bouncing during transitions and such, so.... <br /><br />I enjoyed watching. Hopefully I'll get some video up one of these days - thanks for sharing!SunnySDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591623033468632399noreply@blogger.com