Ransom and I headed to the arena late in the evening, saddled, but lightly padded and fitted with side reins. I was in riding pants and a tshirt, but no helmet - Purposely, as I had no intentions on riding. Why the pants? To give him the thought otherwise...
I let him lunge out a little while just in the halter, to "get the goobers out". He sneezed & snortled a little, then I added the bridle & side reins.
Oh my boy... My senior horse who has his "baby days".. He wanted a "gallop day". His behavior, his attitude, his "coupla bucks" up into canter-left, my goodness more than life that sweet old man wanted me to fix up the arena fence, "tie up" the gate, and let him go...
But I refused. I lunged him on side reins for about 20-25 minutes, evenly each way, a handful of direction changes. After our first left, then right, he slowed himself to a stop, and walked right up to me, head down, soft eyes, with this face that said, "Okay, Mom. I'm done, warmed up. Hop yourself up here! Riding lately has been easier than this, so I don't wanna lunge anymore." Sorry sweet soul.. back out there.
He ended on a good note, and finally quit the "bucking into canter left." Happy man, with new feet, a late evening work, and even a few deer sprinting across the back of the arena. Happy horse..
Showing posts with label Side Reins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Side Reins. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
1/5/2010 Ransom Lunge
Gathered up Ransom after work, and decided a solid side-rein lunge was in order. Surcingle, side reins, french link bit, polo wraps up front, and here we go!
Free lunged both ways on the line for about 5, then set up bridle & side reins. He leaned with his head out & up quite a bit all three gaits, which I sort of expected - he hasn't had to "use himself hard" for about a month. I expected a bit of fuss & fight.
After about 25 minutes, I took the side reins back off again, and let him stretch out at walk & trot each direction.
Getting back in shape... Plenty to think about & start planning as the February HorseMaster taping is approaching. I know they say "Don't work on the problems", and that'll be easy. The hard part? Getting him clean, my tack clean, my clothes organized, boots polished, and all my mental "ducks in a row", so I'm not a nervous-nelly for the event.
Free lunged both ways on the line for about 5, then set up bridle & side reins. He leaned with his head out & up quite a bit all three gaits, which I sort of expected - he hasn't had to "use himself hard" for about a month. I expected a bit of fuss & fight.
After about 25 minutes, I took the side reins back off again, and let him stretch out at walk & trot each direction.
Getting back in shape... Plenty to think about & start planning as the February HorseMaster taping is approaching. I know they say "Don't work on the problems", and that'll be easy. The hard part? Getting him clean, my tack clean, my clothes organized, boots polished, and all my mental "ducks in a row", so I'm not a nervous-nelly for the event.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11/24/09 Ransom on the Line
His first day back on the job, Ransom enjoyed a solid lunging for about 40 minutes. Focused mostly on giving to the bit.
I upped the ante just a tad, and lunged off of my knotted rope halter. In his normal work on the bit & side reins, Ransom did rather well. In the cool-down, I took the side reins off, and worked only on down transitions.
He did NOT want to go from walk to halt without fuss. I said "whoa", stepped in front of his general motion, and then gave the knotted halter a huge TUG. A good dozen of those each way, and I finally got a halt with just "whoa".
Mission accomplished. And the beginning of a 5 Day Vacation!
I upped the ante just a tad, and lunged off of my knotted rope halter. In his normal work on the bit & side reins, Ransom did rather well. In the cool-down, I took the side reins off, and worked only on down transitions.
He did NOT want to go from walk to halt without fuss. I said "whoa", stepped in front of his general motion, and then gave the knotted halter a huge TUG. A good dozen of those each way, and I finally got a halt with just "whoa".
Mission accomplished. And the beginning of a 5 Day Vacation!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
11/11/09 Brief Lunging
It took a serious amount of control, but I didn't ride. Gosh I wanted to. Ransom got a lunge on side reins in the arena, to keep his muscles loose for my Thursday morning dark-thirty ride. I knew if I rode we'd go too long, and the next morning lesson would be tight & difficult.
So he got a solid lunge for about 40 minutes, walk, trot, canter, with a bunch of transitions. He didn't lean on the reins, but kept 'em loose.
No big surprises in the lunge, except for a handful of deer chased by the neighbor's dogs. I am going to have a battle with those dogs, eventually. Might be via unloading my shotgun in their general vicinity, might be a paintball gun, might be something.. But they're either going to quit chasing the deer, or quit showing up in my yard,,, something.
So he got a solid lunge for about 40 minutes, walk, trot, canter, with a bunch of transitions. He didn't lean on the reins, but kept 'em loose.
No big surprises in the lunge, except for a handful of deer chased by the neighbor's dogs. I am going to have a battle with those dogs, eventually. Might be via unloading my shotgun in their general vicinity, might be a paintball gun, might be something.. But they're either going to quit chasing the deer, or quit showing up in my yard,,, something.
Monday, November 9, 2009
11/6/09 Ransom Lunging & Working Light
I got my big bay monster all ready to go. He was pretty on the lunge line, but seemed a bit lazy. I hopped on after about twenty minutes lunging, giving him lots of work-out on his own.
We rode all the transitions I worry about, and most went well. I got him in and out of canter without a whole lotta fuss. I rode through the rough patches of test 1 again, and found them all a bit easier.
His halt at X was stickie, but they've been awful stickie for a week or so now.
Total work about 45 minutes. I wanted to get his mind 100% on me, get what I wanted to get, and get done.
I was a bit anxious about the trip to Katy. What would Leslie say when he got off the trailer? Would she be happy with his weight & muscles? Where would we ride? Would there be an audience? Would I do well? All things that worried me through the evening.
We rode all the transitions I worry about, and most went well. I got him in and out of canter without a whole lotta fuss. I rode through the rough patches of test 1 again, and found them all a bit easier.
His halt at X was stickie, but they've been awful stickie for a week or so now.
Total work about 45 minutes. I wanted to get his mind 100% on me, get what I wanted to get, and get done.
I was a bit anxious about the trip to Katy. What would Leslie say when he got off the trailer? Would she be happy with his weight & muscles? Where would we ride? Would there be an audience? Would I do well? All things that worried me through the evening.
Friday, October 23, 2009
10/22/09 No Goofing Around
Thanks, Lord, for the rainfall that hit my arena. It was enough to water the grass, and to dampen the dust down, but not too much to make mud. Thank You!
I grabbed Ransom in all his finest dressage garb, side reins included, and headed for the arena. It only took a few minutes of him free lunging and watching my body language before he realized A) we weren't goofing off, and B) the arena footing was perfect for work.
Side rein lunge line for a while, as I watched him stretch down & out while leaving slack in the side reins. As he settled into nice transitions trot/canter/trot, trot/walk/trot, I knew we were ready for serious.
I settled into the saddle. The winds died down, much to our misfortune, as the sun was still beating on the arena. In his new clipped coat, Ransom doesn't mind the heat much, and transitions are much easier.
We worked some collected walk, to free walk, and back. A few trot sets, with many direction changes, added in some trot/walk/halt and back up as he loosened his back up.
As I asked for the canter, I allowed our intial transitions in both directions to be ugly. As long as he didn't sprint forward, his head was allowed to raise up. I headed down long side, canter-right, towards my center 20m circle, and Ransom's, um, "forward impulsion" was great! A bit too great. He wasn't uncontrollable, but when I imagined what it looked like from the ground, and compared it to what I know I've seen on dressage test tv shows, it was a bit too much.
So we repeated in and out of canter on the circles and in the corners, heading down long side, and mixed it up, breaking to trot after the circle on the long side, and on the last 3/4 of the circle. Never once ran a whole test, but only the pieces, trying to incorporate all of the harder spots for us.
In between the canters, I fit in some trot to halt at X. After his first canter-out, the trot to halt is SO much better. It's got to be some muscles that loosen up, because if I try trot to halt early in the ride, they're horrendous. If I wait it out, and ride trot to halt late in the rides, he's much better.
Between his lunging, and my riding, we put in about 50 minutes. Only one few minute spurt was relaxed loose on the buckle walk. The rest, was work! Whether free walk still on contact, or collected canter trying to adjust his stride, Ransom was very tuned-in to my body language of "Listen dude, I'm not here to goof off, I'm not here to be relaxed. We're working, so get in line!" *laugh*
For his cool-down, I tried again to get "stretchy down trot" circles. To the right, these are just down-right beautiful. I was working him to a collected trot, then slowly stretching my hands apart, decreasing the wiggle-wiggle in my arms, and anytime he'd stretch down, I'd release the reins briefly. He's got this idea down-pat heading right, left it's sporadic. Some release-downs are gorgeous, while other times he simply levels out his head & withers, and sticks his nose out, hollowing his back. Ah.. but this is a TL test 3 movement, something not to be worried about perfecting anytime soon.
The most fun parts of our ride right now? Transitions from rising trot to sitting trot! Holy trot! That's a First Level rider movement! Freaking apples sitting trot. When I feel all of my lower body relax, waist-down, it's a phenominal feeling. These moments don't last long yet, though. We have plenty more to learn.
Countdown to Sienna, 3 days. Lesson tonight.. focusing on the tests, and any last-minute fixing miracles we can accomplish.
I grabbed Ransom in all his finest dressage garb, side reins included, and headed for the arena. It only took a few minutes of him free lunging and watching my body language before he realized A) we weren't goofing off, and B) the arena footing was perfect for work.
Side rein lunge line for a while, as I watched him stretch down & out while leaving slack in the side reins. As he settled into nice transitions trot/canter/trot, trot/walk/trot, I knew we were ready for serious.
I settled into the saddle. The winds died down, much to our misfortune, as the sun was still beating on the arena. In his new clipped coat, Ransom doesn't mind the heat much, and transitions are much easier.
We worked some collected walk, to free walk, and back. A few trot sets, with many direction changes, added in some trot/walk/halt and back up as he loosened his back up.
As I asked for the canter, I allowed our intial transitions in both directions to be ugly. As long as he didn't sprint forward, his head was allowed to raise up. I headed down long side, canter-right, towards my center 20m circle, and Ransom's, um, "forward impulsion" was great! A bit too great. He wasn't uncontrollable, but when I imagined what it looked like from the ground, and compared it to what I know I've seen on dressage test tv shows, it was a bit too much.
So we repeated in and out of canter on the circles and in the corners, heading down long side, and mixed it up, breaking to trot after the circle on the long side, and on the last 3/4 of the circle. Never once ran a whole test, but only the pieces, trying to incorporate all of the harder spots for us.
In between the canters, I fit in some trot to halt at X. After his first canter-out, the trot to halt is SO much better. It's got to be some muscles that loosen up, because if I try trot to halt early in the ride, they're horrendous. If I wait it out, and ride trot to halt late in the rides, he's much better.
Between his lunging, and my riding, we put in about 50 minutes. Only one few minute spurt was relaxed loose on the buckle walk. The rest, was work! Whether free walk still on contact, or collected canter trying to adjust his stride, Ransom was very tuned-in to my body language of "Listen dude, I'm not here to goof off, I'm not here to be relaxed. We're working, so get in line!" *laugh*
For his cool-down, I tried again to get "stretchy down trot" circles. To the right, these are just down-right beautiful. I was working him to a collected trot, then slowly stretching my hands apart, decreasing the wiggle-wiggle in my arms, and anytime he'd stretch down, I'd release the reins briefly. He's got this idea down-pat heading right, left it's sporadic. Some release-downs are gorgeous, while other times he simply levels out his head & withers, and sticks his nose out, hollowing his back. Ah.. but this is a TL test 3 movement, something not to be worried about perfecting anytime soon.
The most fun parts of our ride right now? Transitions from rising trot to sitting trot! Holy trot! That's a First Level rider movement! Freaking apples sitting trot. When I feel all of my lower body relax, waist-down, it's a phenominal feeling. These moments don't last long yet, though. We have plenty more to learn.
Countdown to Sienna, 3 days. Lesson tonight.. focusing on the tests, and any last-minute fixing miracles we can accomplish.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10/19/09 A Better Focus
I was and still am in that dazed mood. It's a bit hard to concentrate on, well, just about anything. Jen has it about right here. Plenty of horrible people are left to continue on, but we've lost a great person. The hard part, is I can't stop life but to pause & pray for her family & close friends.
So, Ransom and I warmed up free lunge, a solid stretch on the line in side reins, french link bit, and off we went. He was a little chargy at the canter again, but settled down after a while. I got all three gaits relaxed & collected, asked for some more transitions, and things improved the longer I sat up there.
After a good half hour's work under saddle, I went through my two tests. Did what I could remember, and I'm pretty sure I got them right. Training 2 coming out of canter-left, heading down the long side, is by far the ugliest part of both tests. He absolutely refuses to make that pretty, and I have to tug with way too much rein to get him to ease up to a trot. I'm going to concentrate on that tonight, again. Work into a nice canter, when he settles in it, push him a bit farther, then head down the long side, and relax into a trot. Every other trot/canter/trot transition was marvelous.
In fact, these were probably his best trot/halt/salute transitions ever. It feels like he halts right of centerline, and my right leg pressure doesn't seem to be helping that. Otherwise, he's only sticking a few strides of walk in, and is keeping his head down & relaxed. *Whew* Got that monster bug worked out, I hope.
Rest of the week I'm going to work in the twisted wire full cheek or the twisted loose ring. He won't see that calm french link bit again until showday. I just can't chance it - if I ride him in something strong all week, it'll make him appreciate that lighter bit all the more.
His clipped coat looks fantastic! After not staring at it for a day, then seeing him again, it looks awesome. Better, even though he was sweating when we got done, and the easy-wick square pad was wet on top, he wasn't dripping.. His cool down was super easy - walk out the heavy breathing, and brush. No hose! Fantastic, since it dropped in the low 60s last night. Absolutely fantastic! Even with the horse hair snippets all over the front yard, and all through my clothes on Sunday, I'm glad I did it. I'm sure Ransom is, too.
Funny ride moment - we had just gotten a really nice warm up canter left, and I was finally enjoying having his attention. I asked him to ease into a trot, which he did, keeping collected, and forward. I settled more into a collected walk, and again he complied with grace. I let the reins ease out into a free walk, and just as I reached forward to pat his neck, give him scritches and a huge "Atta boy Good Job!" a doe squirted out of the trees about 10 ft from us. Ransom tossed his head up, and for a brief 3 seconds, we both said "Oh crap! What's that?!" When the critter spook was identified, he went right back to work, in a huge free walk, dropping his head looking for the bit. Fantastic and Funny!!
Countdown to Sienna . . . 6 days
So, Ransom and I warmed up free lunge, a solid stretch on the line in side reins, french link bit, and off we went. He was a little chargy at the canter again, but settled down after a while. I got all three gaits relaxed & collected, asked for some more transitions, and things improved the longer I sat up there.
After a good half hour's work under saddle, I went through my two tests. Did what I could remember, and I'm pretty sure I got them right. Training 2 coming out of canter-left, heading down the long side, is by far the ugliest part of both tests. He absolutely refuses to make that pretty, and I have to tug with way too much rein to get him to ease up to a trot. I'm going to concentrate on that tonight, again. Work into a nice canter, when he settles in it, push him a bit farther, then head down the long side, and relax into a trot. Every other trot/canter/trot transition was marvelous.
In fact, these were probably his best trot/halt/salute transitions ever. It feels like he halts right of centerline, and my right leg pressure doesn't seem to be helping that. Otherwise, he's only sticking a few strides of walk in, and is keeping his head down & relaxed. *Whew* Got that monster bug worked out, I hope.
Rest of the week I'm going to work in the twisted wire full cheek or the twisted loose ring. He won't see that calm french link bit again until showday. I just can't chance it - if I ride him in something strong all week, it'll make him appreciate that lighter bit all the more.
His clipped coat looks fantastic! After not staring at it for a day, then seeing him again, it looks awesome. Better, even though he was sweating when we got done, and the easy-wick square pad was wet on top, he wasn't dripping.. His cool down was super easy - walk out the heavy breathing, and brush. No hose! Fantastic, since it dropped in the low 60s last night. Absolutely fantastic! Even with the horse hair snippets all over the front yard, and all through my clothes on Sunday, I'm glad I did it. I'm sure Ransom is, too.
Funny ride moment - we had just gotten a really nice warm up canter left, and I was finally enjoying having his attention. I asked him to ease into a trot, which he did, keeping collected, and forward. I settled more into a collected walk, and again he complied with grace. I let the reins ease out into a free walk, and just as I reached forward to pat his neck, give him scritches and a huge "Atta boy Good Job!" a doe squirted out of the trees about 10 ft from us. Ransom tossed his head up, and for a brief 3 seconds, we both said "Oh crap! What's that?!" When the critter spook was identified, he went right back to work, in a huge free walk, dropping his head looking for the bit. Fantastic and Funny!!
Countdown to Sienna . . . 6 days
Monday, September 28, 2009
09/27/09 Back to the Ponies
After church and lunch, I ran home. Short time window between lunch & the football game, I grabbed Ransom.
We worked for an hour on dressage basics. Well, about 40 minutes total. Warmup was good, lunged in the center & far end to check the footing. Much MUCH better with the sun-drying time. I warmed up undersaddle with counterbending down the long sides at walk. Both neck bent towards the rail, and towards the center, both directions. He quickly started bending at the poll, realizing I'm sure that was much easier than fighting it. After a few walk transitions, Ransom got right to work, settled into some nice canter (set with plenty of trot & walk in between), and a few nice halt transitions. I kept our canter work to either all the way around, or circle on the far end, staying out of the center and out of the low circle, to keep his little brain guessing. I also didn't "canter left and quickly canter right", to get out of another habit we've formed. Cute boy even let me sit the trot a while... confusing him even more.
In good Sunday-resting fashion, we spent the last 15 minutes walking around the pasture to the right of the house. Playing in the shade. I even made him step up & walk over the pallet-bridge twice. He sure didn't want to, and walked around it a few times. His brain quickly realized he wasn't going to get out of it, and walked over it. The last time he did, it was all four feet, and with good confidence. That's when we called it quits.
Football game was good, a good watch, a crappy outcome. My team just isn't showing up this year yet - lucky break the first game, and they showed their disorganization in the second two. I'll be happy when the first-string free safety is back to work, in another couple of weeks.
We worked for an hour on dressage basics. Well, about 40 minutes total. Warmup was good, lunged in the center & far end to check the footing. Much MUCH better with the sun-drying time. I warmed up undersaddle with counterbending down the long sides at walk. Both neck bent towards the rail, and towards the center, both directions. He quickly started bending at the poll, realizing I'm sure that was much easier than fighting it. After a few walk transitions, Ransom got right to work, settled into some nice canter (set with plenty of trot & walk in between), and a few nice halt transitions. I kept our canter work to either all the way around, or circle on the far end, staying out of the center and out of the low circle, to keep his little brain guessing. I also didn't "canter left and quickly canter right", to get out of another habit we've formed. Cute boy even let me sit the trot a while... confusing him even more.
In good Sunday-resting fashion, we spent the last 15 minutes walking around the pasture to the right of the house. Playing in the shade. I even made him step up & walk over the pallet-bridge twice. He sure didn't want to, and walked around it a few times. His brain quickly realized he wasn't going to get out of it, and walked over it. The last time he did, it was all four feet, and with good confidence. That's when we called it quits.
Football game was good, a good watch, a crappy outcome. My team just isn't showing up this year yet - lucky break the first game, and they showed their disorganization in the second two. I'll be happy when the first-string free safety is back to work, in another couple of weeks.
Friday, September 25, 2009
09/24/09 Regroup & Back to Training
With the show cancelled, I could've done more pouting and fussing, or I could get my saddle back up & get to work. Ain't no reason why I can't make those transitions even better over the next month, right?
So, I had Jen come over & meet Ransom and I in the arena for a dressage lesson. The weather was just about perfect for riding - low 70s temperature, light winds, overcast skies. The back half of the arena was still a bit too mushy for real work, so we stuck to the low circle.
Ransom lunged out in side reins beautifully. No goofy fits, no stiff transitions. He actually was slowing down on my body language and a subtle "shhhhh" verbal cue. Very sweet! I was about done lunging as Jen arrived at the arena. Mucho perfecto timing!
As I was warming up, Ransom showed us what we would work on for the day. I got my canter-left in, and as I turned him around, he got a bit antsy at the trot-right, in AnTiCi...Pation of the canter-right. I let him canter right, just as Jen said, "Okay, let him walk." She suggested I needed to start mixing up my canters, not put them one right after the other, and work on a lot of different things in between, so he'd never know when his canter-fun would commence.
And we did. Worked on circles of posting trot, sitting trot, walk to halt, back to posting & sitting, a few figure 8s in the circle-space, and then some canter mingled in. Also worked on keeping my legs on and him collected up on the bit for transitions. I was happy to say most of them were pretty darn good. Ransom got a little fussy on the shoulders, sticking whatever shoulder out that was on the outside of the circle, in an effort to avoid work. I'll fix that! Work at walk and trot with his head bent in and then out of the circle. Bent-in at the walk, on the circle, rough stuff! Bent-out, at walk and trot, not so difficult. At least not difficult for me to control. Now, for my Ransom to hold it, funnie! He'll try to duck that head out in working trot, I forced him out in an exaggerated bend, for a circle or two, then let him go back to 'normal', and wow did he look good then!
Even with the weather-related two days off, Ransom was phenominal! We had an awesome ride, and in fact I lost track of time. He had a 20 minute warm up, and an hour ride! A whole hour! Got to love the weather, when I wasn't sweaty, wasn't feeling exhausted, and my horse still felt awesome. Forward-going, and light on my hands. Very Very sweet!!!
So, I had Jen come over & meet Ransom and I in the arena for a dressage lesson. The weather was just about perfect for riding - low 70s temperature, light winds, overcast skies. The back half of the arena was still a bit too mushy for real work, so we stuck to the low circle.
Ransom lunged out in side reins beautifully. No goofy fits, no stiff transitions. He actually was slowing down on my body language and a subtle "shhhhh" verbal cue. Very sweet! I was about done lunging as Jen arrived at the arena. Mucho perfecto timing!
As I was warming up, Ransom showed us what we would work on for the day. I got my canter-left in, and as I turned him around, he got a bit antsy at the trot-right, in AnTiCi...Pation of the canter-right. I let him canter right, just as Jen said, "Okay, let him walk." She suggested I needed to start mixing up my canters, not put them one right after the other, and work on a lot of different things in between, so he'd never know when his canter-fun would commence.
And we did. Worked on circles of posting trot, sitting trot, walk to halt, back to posting & sitting, a few figure 8s in the circle-space, and then some canter mingled in. Also worked on keeping my legs on and him collected up on the bit for transitions. I was happy to say most of them were pretty darn good. Ransom got a little fussy on the shoulders, sticking whatever shoulder out that was on the outside of the circle, in an effort to avoid work. I'll fix that! Work at walk and trot with his head bent in and then out of the circle. Bent-in at the walk, on the circle, rough stuff! Bent-out, at walk and trot, not so difficult. At least not difficult for me to control. Now, for my Ransom to hold it, funnie! He'll try to duck that head out in working trot, I forced him out in an exaggerated bend, for a circle or two, then let him go back to 'normal', and wow did he look good then!
Even with the weather-related two days off, Ransom was phenominal! We had an awesome ride, and in fact I lost track of time. He had a 20 minute warm up, and an hour ride! A whole hour! Got to love the weather, when I wasn't sweaty, wasn't feeling exhausted, and my horse still felt awesome. Forward-going, and light on my hands. Very Very sweet!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
09/21/09 Easy On the Bit
Curious if Ransom had learned anything last week about leaning on the forehand, I let him work in the french link bit. Oooh Laa Laa.. Whatta good boy!
He lunged so light in the side reins. He was a bit lazy, a little slow, but very round. It looked marvelous. I lunged him for work , hmm, 15 minutes or so, then hopped on.
His walk was great. His working trot was a little short, but round. Canter was amazing. Transition from canter to trot left as in TL Test 2, not so good. He didn't want to slow down, and decided it was a good time to arch his back hollow, throw his head, and outright refuse to ride it pretty. Ugly Ugly down transition. The centerline to halt wasn't even so horrid. A few of them he was slow to stop, but he didn't toss his head up. The free walks? Phenominal! No pulling on the bit at all. The trots towards the end did stretch out some, though it felt a little like he was either hoping I'd let him go long & low, or leaning. Either way, it was still light enough I didn't feel pulled forward in the tack.
We had about 30 minutes of hard work followed up by plenty of working walk to free walk and halts to cool down. We're well on the way .. Sunday is fast approaching. I'm going to keep alternating between the twisted bits for the rest of the week, admitting our halts won't be real pretty as Ransom will be bracing for the yuckie bit pressure. However, if that makes the french link feel so sweet he's as pretty Sunday as he was Monday night, we'll have great rides!!
Countdown to Sienna .... 6 days. Yipes!
He lunged so light in the side reins. He was a bit lazy, a little slow, but very round. It looked marvelous. I lunged him for work , hmm, 15 minutes or so, then hopped on.
His walk was great. His working trot was a little short, but round. Canter was amazing. Transition from canter to trot left as in TL Test 2, not so good. He didn't want to slow down, and decided it was a good time to arch his back hollow, throw his head, and outright refuse to ride it pretty. Ugly Ugly down transition. The centerline to halt wasn't even so horrid. A few of them he was slow to stop, but he didn't toss his head up. The free walks? Phenominal! No pulling on the bit at all. The trots towards the end did stretch out some, though it felt a little like he was either hoping I'd let him go long & low, or leaning. Either way, it was still light enough I didn't feel pulled forward in the tack.
We had about 30 minutes of hard work followed up by plenty of working walk to free walk and halts to cool down. We're well on the way .. Sunday is fast approaching. I'm going to keep alternating between the twisted bits for the rest of the week, admitting our halts won't be real pretty as Ransom will be bracing for the yuckie bit pressure. However, if that makes the french link feel so sweet he's as pretty Sunday as he was Monday night, we'll have great rides!!
Countdown to Sienna .... 6 days. Yipes!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
09/18/09 Ransom Lesson
I spent the morning doing some yard work, house work, and then sprinted back to town for a lunch break. Managed myself an awesome rotten headache to start off the day, which I nursed for a while in the afternoon.
Ransom warmed up pretty nice, though a bit distracted by the tractor & disc working in the arena. Jen's hubby Robert was discing up the arena, making it sweet & soft. When I got ready to ride, he quickly sprinted out of the arena.
We worked through Training test 1 twice, and found a stickie spot - From trot to halt at X. Only way Ransom wanted to stop was to toss his head up. I ended up settling on decent - not nearly what I'd like to see. I am hoping this will improve in the coming week.
Trot transitions weren't so bad, and the canters were alright. A bit less collection than I'd like, but really not so bad. Rode for about an hour total. Not really a particular homework - item to perfect, except to mix up the transitions, and keep things different down centerline for a few more rides.
Countdown to Sienna - 9 days.
After my lesson, continuing our music-filled weekend, R and I went to town & got to listen to a friend of ours play in his band, Pop Rocks Ugly. (NO idea where the name came from, but it's funny, huh?) They were quite good, and looked to be having a blast playing & singing. If you're in town & get a chance to listen, go for it! Great sound, even in a small room.
Ransom warmed up pretty nice, though a bit distracted by the tractor & disc working in the arena. Jen's hubby Robert was discing up the arena, making it sweet & soft. When I got ready to ride, he quickly sprinted out of the arena.
We worked through Training test 1 twice, and found a stickie spot - From trot to halt at X. Only way Ransom wanted to stop was to toss his head up. I ended up settling on decent - not nearly what I'd like to see. I am hoping this will improve in the coming week.
Trot transitions weren't so bad, and the canters were alright. A bit less collection than I'd like, but really not so bad. Rode for about an hour total. Not really a particular homework - item to perfect, except to mix up the transitions, and keep things different down centerline for a few more rides.
Countdown to Sienna - 9 days.
After my lesson, continuing our music-filled weekend, R and I went to town & got to listen to a friend of ours play in his band, Pop Rocks Ugly. (NO idea where the name came from, but it's funny, huh?) They were quite good, and looked to be having a blast playing & singing. If you're in town & get a chance to listen, go for it! Great sound, even in a small room.
Friday, September 18, 2009
09/17/09 Ransom Lunge
*giggle* I had a date Thursday night, so Ransom got ... the ... day ... off? Oh no! He had to work.
And work hard he did. Read all about it here! Don't know much about them mosquitoes she lunged - pesky monsters.
R and I got surprise last-minute tickets to go see Chickenfoot in Corpus Christi. A fun time. To our surprise, the event was held in the side stage, not in the outdoor main stage. A bit discouraging - because the sound was squealing out of the speakers, and bouncing from the ceiling to the concrete ground & back. Made Sammy Hagar really hard to understand - something I find frustrating. If I don't know the music, I'd like to be able to understand it. If I do know the music, I really want to be able to understand it so I can sing along.
Their drummer is cool, but Nickelback's drummer is still better! *HAH*
And work hard he did. Read all about it here! Don't know much about them mosquitoes she lunged - pesky monsters.
R and I got surprise last-minute tickets to go see Chickenfoot in Corpus Christi. A fun time. To our surprise, the event was held in the side stage, not in the outdoor main stage. A bit discouraging - because the sound was squealing out of the speakers, and bouncing from the ceiling to the concrete ground & back. Made Sammy Hagar really hard to understand - something I find frustrating. If I don't know the music, I'd like to be able to understand it. If I do know the music, I really want to be able to understand it so I can sing along.
Their drummer is cool, but Nickelback's drummer is still better! *HAH*
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
09/14/09 Just ... A ... Little... Less...
Right.. There! That's perfect! Hold that thought, now, will ya?!
That had to be what Ransom was thinking last night. I surprised him with a loose ring twisted wire bit, and the flash noseband, none of which he was too happy about. We argued on the lunge line just a little while about the definition of canter-to-trot and trot-to-walk. He can, in fact, walk-on on the lunge line. Dingaling.
After about fifteen minutes on side reins, I hopped on. I found him hesitant to start out, so I tried giving him a decent amount of rein & light contact. But just as soon as I felt him leaning on my hands at the trot, whack! I tugged on the reins, both legs on. His head popped up sharply, but at least he got off my hands & carried himself. We repeated this a handful of times at trot, both directions.
I did one set of canters in each direction, asking in the first short side corner, down long side, 20m circle at the center, down to trot between centerline & the rail. Just like Test 1 is going to be. He did pretty well - certainly didn't lean on my hands at the canter.
Realizing I was having a bit of trouble with that left stirrup staying with my foot again, I focused on some transitions with Ransom, a little spurt of sitting trot, a few sets trot to walk to trot to walk, and then I got down to my low-end circle, and started working on myself. If I am going to canter in the test, I better darn well figure out why I keep lifting my legs in the up transition.
Got it figured out, too! I was swinging my leg back to ask. Yuck! I discovered this by sitting a circle of trot, then asking. All I need to do on a circle, or in the corners for that matter, is look up into the circle/corner, and squeeze. He gets his leads all on his own (smarty pants), and the transition is a heckuva lot smoother. Quite magical, actually. With just a little squeeze (rather than the almost kicking taps I was doing), I'm also able to keep stirrups right where they go. I repeated this drill a number of times in both directions, sit trot to canter, then rising trot to canter. Found the light squeeze makes for much prettier collection and even a tucked / dropped head into the transition. That's what he's been waiting for all along, I suppose.
Cooled down with a few reminders of how to transition from working walk to free walk, and halts. Total including lunge line warm up, an hour. We'll need to continue this level of activity all the way up through the show.
Which reminds me.. Countdown to Sienna, 13 days.
That had to be what Ransom was thinking last night. I surprised him with a loose ring twisted wire bit, and the flash noseband, none of which he was too happy about. We argued on the lunge line just a little while about the definition of canter-to-trot and trot-to-walk. He can, in fact, walk-on on the lunge line. Dingaling.
After about fifteen minutes on side reins, I hopped on. I found him hesitant to start out, so I tried giving him a decent amount of rein & light contact. But just as soon as I felt him leaning on my hands at the trot, whack! I tugged on the reins, both legs on. His head popped up sharply, but at least he got off my hands & carried himself. We repeated this a handful of times at trot, both directions.
I did one set of canters in each direction, asking in the first short side corner, down long side, 20m circle at the center, down to trot between centerline & the rail. Just like Test 1 is going to be. He did pretty well - certainly didn't lean on my hands at the canter.
Realizing I was having a bit of trouble with that left stirrup staying with my foot again, I focused on some transitions with Ransom, a little spurt of sitting trot, a few sets trot to walk to trot to walk, and then I got down to my low-end circle, and started working on myself. If I am going to canter in the test, I better darn well figure out why I keep lifting my legs in the up transition.
Got it figured out, too! I was swinging my leg back to ask. Yuck! I discovered this by sitting a circle of trot, then asking. All I need to do on a circle, or in the corners for that matter, is look up into the circle/corner, and squeeze. He gets his leads all on his own (smarty pants), and the transition is a heckuva lot smoother. Quite magical, actually. With just a little squeeze (rather than the almost kicking taps I was doing), I'm also able to keep stirrups right where they go. I repeated this drill a number of times in both directions, sit trot to canter, then rising trot to canter. Found the light squeeze makes for much prettier collection and even a tucked / dropped head into the transition. That's what he's been waiting for all along, I suppose.
Cooled down with a few reminders of how to transition from working walk to free walk, and halts. Total including lunge line warm up, an hour. We'll need to continue this level of activity all the way up through the show.
Which reminds me.. Countdown to Sienna, 13 days.
Friday, September 11, 2009
09/10/09 Ransom Lesson
I was startled when I got home. I had zero puddles on the pasture. I had zero watery spots in the arena. Signs Ransom had walked through it with disturbed dirt hoof prints but no mud. No Mud at all!
Get out the breeches, t-shirt, and party hats! I was getting a lesson!! YahOO!!!
Ransom was a little stiff, from all the time off, of course. But we had a blast! Worked on walk to halt transitions, and walk/trot/walk transitions. My tests calls for enter working trot, halt at X. I need to figure out if this means I can halt through a few steps of walk. Otherwise, it's gonna be ugly ugly.
We finally got to ride in some shade. One huge advantage of the days ending a little earlier, the far end of the arena gets shaded by the neighbor's trees. So we worked at that end for quite a while. I in fact lost track of time near the beginning of my ride, searching for just the right transition. Ransom loosened up by the end, with a pretty trot down to walk and walk to halt, all heading left (his bad direction). Knowing any trot/canter/trot transition work would just wind him back up again and get him hot, we ended it there, satisfied he'd gotten better over the ride.
My signals are getting clearer to him for up & down transitions. I can tuck my toosh & squeeze for the ups, and settle deep with an exhale for the downs. Some downs come with a bit more rein than I'd like to use, which I hope will improve as we get back in shape.
Most importantly, I'm happy to report I don't feel all that sore this morning. Happy happy about that. I anticipated feeling really sore & stiff, after the long break I'd also had. I'm hoping Ransom feels about the same.
I got to ride! So begins my commitment to take this all very seriously leading up to the show on the 27th.
Get out the breeches, t-shirt, and party hats! I was getting a lesson!! YahOO!!!
Ransom was a little stiff, from all the time off, of course. But we had a blast! Worked on walk to halt transitions, and walk/trot/walk transitions. My tests calls for enter working trot, halt at X. I need to figure out if this means I can halt through a few steps of walk. Otherwise, it's gonna be ugly ugly.
We finally got to ride in some shade. One huge advantage of the days ending a little earlier, the far end of the arena gets shaded by the neighbor's trees. So we worked at that end for quite a while. I in fact lost track of time near the beginning of my ride, searching for just the right transition. Ransom loosened up by the end, with a pretty trot down to walk and walk to halt, all heading left (his bad direction). Knowing any trot/canter/trot transition work would just wind him back up again and get him hot, we ended it there, satisfied he'd gotten better over the ride.
My signals are getting clearer to him for up & down transitions. I can tuck my toosh & squeeze for the ups, and settle deep with an exhale for the downs. Some downs come with a bit more rein than I'd like to use, which I hope will improve as we get back in shape.
Most importantly, I'm happy to report I don't feel all that sore this morning. Happy happy about that. I anticipated feeling really sore & stiff, after the long break I'd also had. I'm hoping Ransom feels about the same.
I got to ride! So begins my commitment to take this all very seriously leading up to the show on the 27th.
Monday, August 31, 2009
08/29/09 Bug Check
With an abnormal start to my Saturday morning, I was faced with the opportunity to ride Ransom early in the day. I sprayed on the Mosquito Halt, noticing the little stinging monsters falling to the ground. Neat stuff.. And off to the arena we went.
I gave him just a few minutes free lunge around the arena before settling him into side reins & the line. Worked for about five minutes free. To start, he was leaning on the side reins, head in the sky, quite hot & disorganized. His mind & body caught up to each other, and after about ten minutes at mostly trot, with some canter. When his trot to canter back to trot transitions started looking pretty, I asked for walks to whoa. Both directions were nice, so I got on. A quick mosquito check found a few on his belly, but none surprisingly feasting on me, or his neck & legs. I decided this would be good enough for a working ride.
I got through the "parts" of Training 1, with the ask for canter in the corner, travel down long side, 20m circle over the center, ask back to trot on the last 3/4 of the circle. He did well. In each direction, I'd first ask for canter in a comfortable spot, on the low circle. Canter the circle, canter all the way around the arena, ask back to trot. Ask canter in the deep corner, head down long side, turn for 20m circle in center, ask trot last 3/4. This went much better than the last time I tried it, when he thought it'd be blast to blow full steam ahead down the long sides. Much better - I felt him in my hands rather than pushing through them.
Lots of trot to walk down transitions - And probably 75% of them were good. I was a bit surprised, as he'd had a few days off with the bugs, and I was asking for hard serious work. After some more trot/canter/trot and walk/trot/walk work, I trotted him over the ground pole series, hoping to keep him consistent down the otheg long side, and keep the trot the same whether in or out of the poles. A few go's each direction, and it became very fluid, and if I didn't know the poles were there, I might not have known the difference.
We rode together for about an hour total, including a long loose rein walk out. The mosquitoes were still at a minimum at the end of the ride. Hosed him down, scraped the water off, and quickly added more bug spray. It's expensive, for sure, but good stuff that should get me through the remaining mosquito season.
I gave him just a few minutes free lunge around the arena before settling him into side reins & the line. Worked for about five minutes free. To start, he was leaning on the side reins, head in the sky, quite hot & disorganized. His mind & body caught up to each other, and after about ten minutes at mostly trot, with some canter. When his trot to canter back to trot transitions started looking pretty, I asked for walks to whoa. Both directions were nice, so I got on. A quick mosquito check found a few on his belly, but none surprisingly feasting on me, or his neck & legs. I decided this would be good enough for a working ride.
I got through the "parts" of Training 1, with the ask for canter in the corner, travel down long side, 20m circle over the center, ask back to trot on the last 3/4 of the circle. He did well. In each direction, I'd first ask for canter in a comfortable spot, on the low circle. Canter the circle, canter all the way around the arena, ask back to trot. Ask canter in the deep corner, head down long side, turn for 20m circle in center, ask trot last 3/4. This went much better than the last time I tried it, when he thought it'd be blast to blow full steam ahead down the long sides. Much better - I felt him in my hands rather than pushing through them.
Lots of trot to walk down transitions - And probably 75% of them were good. I was a bit surprised, as he'd had a few days off with the bugs, and I was asking for hard serious work. After some more trot/canter/trot and walk/trot/walk work, I trotted him over the ground pole series, hoping to keep him consistent down the otheg long side, and keep the trot the same whether in or out of the poles. A few go's each direction, and it became very fluid, and if I didn't know the poles were there, I might not have known the difference.
We rode together for about an hour total, including a long loose rein walk out. The mosquitoes were still at a minimum at the end of the ride. Hosed him down, scraped the water off, and quickly added more bug spray. It's expensive, for sure, but good stuff that should get me through the remaining mosquito season.
Monday, August 24, 2009
08/23/09 The Boys
I got up early. I was going to ride Romeo. Then I changed my mind, then I was, then I wasn't, then I was, then I wasn't. Oh, heck. He's not going to care if I hop on bareback and get a little goofing off in. Plenty of thoughts have been rambling through my brain as to is my house still the right place for him?. Romeo knew my thoughts, because he behaved famously. Walk, trot, english bit, he was a champ. For the new feed (higher fat), and the longer breaks between rides, it wasn't noticable. We played for nearly a half hour, and he still looked a little short-changed and disappointed when I put him back in pasture.
After a very blessed church Sunday morning (fortunately, with no dramatic "whacks to the forehead" moments, but a few full of blessed good news), R and I wandered off to lunch, settled in for a good nap, and I scrambled home for a brief bit.
Grabbed Ransom in the surcingle, side reins, and dressage bit, and headed to the arena. He was incredibly stiff & stubborn to start, but by the end, he'd settled into a nice collected trot. His canter could've used some more work, but I had already been out with him on the lunge for quite a while. We got a good half-hour of lunge-work in, preparing him more for my lesson tonight.
Good times with both horses. A little riding, a little functional working. Better yet, a nice afternoon & late evening with R. He's off to work again today, returning tomorrow evening. Sending up prayers for safe uneventful travel, and peaceful discussions with the boss-man, should they become necessary.
After a very blessed church Sunday morning (fortunately, with no dramatic "whacks to the forehead" moments, but a few full of blessed good news), R and I wandered off to lunch, settled in for a good nap, and I scrambled home for a brief bit.
Grabbed Ransom in the surcingle, side reins, and dressage bit, and headed to the arena. He was incredibly stiff & stubborn to start, but by the end, he'd settled into a nice collected trot. His canter could've used some more work, but I had already been out with him on the lunge for quite a while. We got a good half-hour of lunge-work in, preparing him more for my lesson tonight.
Good times with both horses. A little riding, a little functional working. Better yet, a nice afternoon & late evening with R. He's off to work again today, returning tomorrow evening. Sending up prayers for safe uneventful travel, and peaceful discussions with the boss-man, should they become necessary.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
08/17/09 Collection Transition
Prepared Ransom for a dressage lesson. His warm up on the side reins was quite beautiful - he was alert, paying attention, and had nice up & down transitions. One or two were stickie-gross, but much better than it's been.
I got on, and found his walk to halts pretty darn good. Three to four steps. If I hang on both reins, he leans back. If I wiggle wiggle alternating reins in the halt, he'll stop a little easier. Wiggle Wiggle! Trot to walk was a little stickie yet, but improved as the lesson progressed.
Forward Forward down the long sides! We pushed ahead for lengthened stride down the long side, and I worked on sitting a few trot strides here & there. It got better, but without collection, that trot ain't sit-able. It's bouncy and uncomfortable. When Ransom is collected, the trot is sweet! All will improve with muscle development.
Jen set up four ground poles on the circle, and we trotted over those a while. I improved my eyes - look ahead, and not at his neck. Ransom's neck is NOT going anywhere - Look Up! The first few times over the poles felt very different from the rest of the circle. The more we did it, the more it felt consistent over the whole circle, and the trot poles were just slightly elevated in his feets.
She then moved them to a straight line set up by the higher crossrail. Ransom was a bit rushy after the jumps last Saturday. Jen proclaimed, "Oh we can fix that. We'll slow him down." As Ransom approached the standards, his mood changed, until he realized that the jump wasn't a jump, but only four poles, and spread out far enough he had to jump, and he had to concentrate.
Back down to the low circle, and we worked a little on our canter. Two go's of canter in each direction, on the circle. Asked in the middle of the circle, and in the corner coming out, and both were quite magical. I am still having troubles keeping my stirrups, but it seems like they're also not entirely necessary. It's almost easier to go without the darn things - I feel more "stuck" in the tack without them. What a funny thought, eh?
Lesson time was at least an hour, not including warm-ups. Ransom did great. He was attentive, alert, and worked harder with more collection than he has in a very long time. He was very forward, and his transitions are certainly improving.
I got on, and found his walk to halts pretty darn good. Three to four steps. If I hang on both reins, he leans back. If I wiggle wiggle alternating reins in the halt, he'll stop a little easier. Wiggle Wiggle! Trot to walk was a little stickie yet, but improved as the lesson progressed.
Forward Forward down the long sides! We pushed ahead for lengthened stride down the long side, and I worked on sitting a few trot strides here & there. It got better, but without collection, that trot ain't sit-able. It's bouncy and uncomfortable. When Ransom is collected, the trot is sweet! All will improve with muscle development.
Jen set up four ground poles on the circle, and we trotted over those a while. I improved my eyes - look ahead, and not at his neck. Ransom's neck is NOT going anywhere - Look Up! The first few times over the poles felt very different from the rest of the circle. The more we did it, the more it felt consistent over the whole circle, and the trot poles were just slightly elevated in his feets.
She then moved them to a straight line set up by the higher crossrail. Ransom was a bit rushy after the jumps last Saturday. Jen proclaimed, "Oh we can fix that. We'll slow him down." As Ransom approached the standards, his mood changed, until he realized that the jump wasn't a jump, but only four poles, and spread out far enough he had to jump, and he had to concentrate.
Back down to the low circle, and we worked a little on our canter. Two go's of canter in each direction, on the circle. Asked in the middle of the circle, and in the corner coming out, and both were quite magical. I am still having troubles keeping my stirrups, but it seems like they're also not entirely necessary. It's almost easier to go without the darn things - I feel more "stuck" in the tack without them. What a funny thought, eh?
Lesson time was at least an hour, not including warm-ups. Ransom did great. He was attentive, alert, and worked harder with more collection than he has in a very long time. He was very forward, and his transitions are certainly improving.
Monday, August 17, 2009
08/15/09 It'sa Two-Fer
I took Friday off for, um, more important matters. R and I had been apart for the week, him being busy with work. I shot outta work like a bullet, scrambled home to the kids, and hurried straight to him. Romeo and Ransom were, I think, grateful to be on a break.
Saturday late afternoon I got off to a solid start with Romeo. Tacked up Western saddle, English bit, and off we goes. His halts from walk and trot were a little bit better, less on the forehand, but still needing work. I decided this was a good time to also work on a collected steady canter instead of a strung-out hollow back run-off. He did pretty good, impressive for the time off he's had. His stride was controlled - very nice.
Rode for about 40-45 minutes, going through all the normals with a few verbal "whoa" cues to keep him tuned to me.
R arrived to watch & help with some hunter for Ransom. I saddled him up, warmed up in side reins (on 8s) on lunge, and off we goes. Walk, trot, and canter on the flat to start out. Ransom was good at all three, brakes a little slow. Not as pretty as our last ride - so still needing some tuning. I concentrated on my heels down at canter, and even did a little stretched-out down the long side canter in two-point. Yeeha! Neat feeling, up in two-point with my upper body leaning forward, arms bending along with his stride. I told R, "I feel kinda like a jocky perched up here. That's a rush!" He said, "You kinda look like one, except you're a little big." tphpht!
Two fences set up as crossrails, and we got to it. With a teenie bit of camera battery left, R did manage a couple jump photos. (I've seen them, though not gotten a copy yet.) Some look pretty good. I did recognize a couple things from this jump-ride...
As soon as I release the reins, Ransom jumps. I need to learn *where* to release, because as soon as I put slack in the reins, he pushes out. The departures felt like they were in all different places - some way early, some last-second... Just different. He landed in a pretty enthusiastic canter from each jump, a few of the times with a bit more energy than I was ready for. No matter how quick he was, he was still taking care of me, coming back to a trot with minimal effort.
R made a neat observation - "Your heels are coming above level, pointing toes down in the air. Is that supposed to happen?" WOW! Kudos & Brownie points to the boy! Big'uns! So, next approach to the fence, I paid closer attention.
I release my reins, and lift my heels, and he takes off. This meant Ransom might've been starting the jump on a leg cue I didn't know I was giving.
So I concentrated - heels heels heels. Got them shoved way down on the flat approaching the jump, and, as R was watching, he said they stayed way down on the last fence. Ransom seemed a little bit neater on the jump, and a bit better timed on the departure. Still felt a bit early, but not such a dramatic jump from some others.
Neat to make progress on a ride I thought would only be a "Hey baby! Check this out! My pony can fly!" *laugh* A very good hour ride for all. Cooled him down on walk & trot on the flat on a long rein, encouraging him to stretch out.
Saturday late afternoon I got off to a solid start with Romeo. Tacked up Western saddle, English bit, and off we goes. His halts from walk and trot were a little bit better, less on the forehand, but still needing work. I decided this was a good time to also work on a collected steady canter instead of a strung-out hollow back run-off. He did pretty good, impressive for the time off he's had. His stride was controlled - very nice.
Rode for about 40-45 minutes, going through all the normals with a few verbal "whoa" cues to keep him tuned to me.
R arrived to watch & help with some hunter for Ransom. I saddled him up, warmed up in side reins (on 8s) on lunge, and off we goes. Walk, trot, and canter on the flat to start out. Ransom was good at all three, brakes a little slow. Not as pretty as our last ride - so still needing some tuning. I concentrated on my heels down at canter, and even did a little stretched-out down the long side canter in two-point. Yeeha! Neat feeling, up in two-point with my upper body leaning forward, arms bending along with his stride. I told R, "I feel kinda like a jocky perched up here. That's a rush!" He said, "You kinda look like one, except you're a little big." tphpht!
Two fences set up as crossrails, and we got to it. With a teenie bit of camera battery left, R did manage a couple jump photos. (I've seen them, though not gotten a copy yet.) Some look pretty good. I did recognize a couple things from this jump-ride...
As soon as I release the reins, Ransom jumps. I need to learn *where* to release, because as soon as I put slack in the reins, he pushes out. The departures felt like they were in all different places - some way early, some last-second... Just different. He landed in a pretty enthusiastic canter from each jump, a few of the times with a bit more energy than I was ready for. No matter how quick he was, he was still taking care of me, coming back to a trot with minimal effort.
R made a neat observation - "Your heels are coming above level, pointing toes down in the air. Is that supposed to happen?" WOW! Kudos & Brownie points to the boy! Big'uns! So, next approach to the fence, I paid closer attention.
I release my reins, and lift my heels, and he takes off. This meant Ransom might've been starting the jump on a leg cue I didn't know I was giving.
So I concentrated - heels heels heels. Got them shoved way down on the flat approaching the jump, and, as R was watching, he said they stayed way down on the last fence. Ransom seemed a little bit neater on the jump, and a bit better timed on the departure. Still felt a bit early, but not such a dramatic jump from some others.
Neat to make progress on a ride I thought would only be a "Hey baby! Check this out! My pony can fly!" *laugh* A very good hour ride for all. Cooled him down on walk & trot on the flat on a long rein, encouraging him to stretch out.
Friday, August 14, 2009
08/13/09 Ransom Hunter Flat
Ransom and I worked on side reins on the lunge line to warm up - He moved out nicely, no lunge whip needed to motivate him. Stayed on a big circle, too. His down transitions are still slow for reaction. I had to use "Whoa" pretty forcefully a few times,, darn it!
I hopped on (hunt saddle), and we got to work. Walk, halt, walk, halt, walk, halt. I repeated this a while both directions. Threw a little free walk in there to change it up. Then I repeated all the same with trot, walk, trot, walk, trot, walk. Things improved quite a bit.
Focused the canter work on him having a little collection, but more focused on my balance & seat. Heels down heels down heels down. Both directions got better as we went along. I also did a little canter in two-point, and found out why that's so darn comfortable. With heels down, and balance just over the front of the saddle, I felt him "cantering into me" - pretty cool.
Finished up with more of the trot to walk and walk to halt transitions. Overall, not too shabby.
Total work including warm up, just about an hour.
I hopped on (hunt saddle), and we got to work. Walk, halt, walk, halt, walk, halt. I repeated this a while both directions. Threw a little free walk in there to change it up. Then I repeated all the same with trot, walk, trot, walk, trot, walk. Things improved quite a bit.
Focused the canter work on him having a little collection, but more focused on my balance & seat. Heels down heels down heels down. Both directions got better as we went along. I also did a little canter in two-point, and found out why that's so darn comfortable. With heels down, and balance just over the front of the saddle, I felt him "cantering into me" - pretty cool.
Finished up with more of the trot to walk and walk to halt transitions. Overall, not too shabby.
Total work including warm up, just about an hour.
Monday, August 3, 2009
08/01 Ransom
I intended on lunging him only. Hunt seat, Romeo's english bit, I was even in shorts...
After lunging on side reins for about twenty minutes, I just couldn't help myself. He was resistant at first, but gave promptly to the side reins, and was putting out a really nice collected trot.
So I hopped on. It was a fun ride! I focused on opening up my shoulders, and some light seat to two point transitions at trot. When I went to light seat - every single time - Ransom would stretch out his trot, and flip both ears back to me, as if to ask, "Go 'head Mom. Ask for canter. I'm ready, Mom. Really. You just squeeze easy, I'm here for ya, Let's ROCK!" *laugh* He can be a complete comedic relief sometimes.
Our ride lasted about 40 minutes, so total work, about an hour. It was more than intended, longer than I intended, but worth every moment.
After lunging on side reins for about twenty minutes, I just couldn't help myself. He was resistant at first, but gave promptly to the side reins, and was putting out a really nice collected trot.
So I hopped on. It was a fun ride! I focused on opening up my shoulders, and some light seat to two point transitions at trot. When I went to light seat - every single time - Ransom would stretch out his trot, and flip both ears back to me, as if to ask, "Go 'head Mom. Ask for canter. I'm ready, Mom. Really. You just squeeze easy, I'm here for ya, Let's ROCK!" *laugh* He can be a complete comedic relief sometimes.
Our ride lasted about 40 minutes, so total work, about an hour. It was more than intended, longer than I intended, but worth every moment.
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