Last night, Mo and I had a nice half hour walk down the road, away from the mailboxes. Passed CRNG's now vast yard of buildings and other yard junk. Passed Mr. T's driveway, and the crazy grandfather who pitched a fit when I called the cops on his grandsons for shooting at the arena. Got another two driveways down, and halfway past the pond. He was uncomfortable with a number of things by then, so we turned back for home.
At lunch today... Conversation between a coworker & I.
CW: So, how are the horses doing?
Me: They're good. Real good.
CW: Have you been to any races lately?
Me: Racing? What for?
CW: You said before you competed them. You haven't done any more racing?
Me: CW, you realize there's more to horses than racing, right? You've not seen any of the equestrian events in the Olympics?
CW: Nope. I just thought there was racing in competition.
*big deep heavy sigh* Yup. I'm proud of me. I made it out of the room without bursting into giggles.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Summer is Here, HtH
HtH --- Hotter than H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. Yes, summer arrived, with a fire breathing dragon chasing me across the back yard.
I've ridden a little bit, mostly early early AM, or late evenings. Harley had a light longe followed by a light contact ride, then a day of tough dressage work, and then a day of complete goofing off walking down the road.
I loved the dressage ride. He was cooperative, and is in fact learning his lessons. I know for certain he's ready for Intro C, and he just might be ready for Training 1. Maybe not quite TL1, but close. We've got time. The summer "break" is here in the local show club, so we'll have more time to improve.
I really loved the walk day. I saddled him up, tightened the girth, and hopped on. Harley stayed at the walk, the entire ride. We made it half way to the mailbox, including a jaunt in the highpower electric overhead right of way. When Harley realized it was Mo he saw, and he was looking at the pasture from outside the fence, his ears and body relaxed near immediately. Anytime his head would raise, his ears-radar would perk in one direction. I'd ask for a halt, and let him stand, look, and sniff, right up until he'd relax. After the third time, he looked hard, and when he eased and relaxed, he walked off on his own. A trail rider will tell me, "That's not the best habit to have, where he goes without a cue", but I thought it was cute.
We then headed away from the mailboxes, back past the house, and passed CRNG's crazy yard. Harley took a long hard look at all the little buildings, and listened to his loud rooster, then walked off. He wanted to go farther than I did, but I realized we'd been at it for25 minutes, and decided that it's better to end when he wants more than have a spooky argument and *insist* that he go beyond his comfort zone just to train trust.
Mo and I had a good argument Friday morning. We walked past the mailboxes, down the road, first corner, second corner. By then, he'd spooked at one deer, one horse, two bunnies, and a flapping plastic bag. :-/ Disappointing for his age, but I also recognize we haven't been off-pasture much this year so far.
The worst of the battles occurred at a muddy culvert pipe with water running up to it. As Mo realized what it was, he stopped a way in front of it. Locked up. I hopped off, and hand walked him to the running water. He snorted and spooked, but I forced the issue. I "longed" him through it both directions, probably a dozen times each way. Finally, each direction, he settled mostly. I'll admit, it was muddy, unclear how deep, and he got hock deep a couple times. Mud splashed everywhere. I mounted back up, and made him carry me through it once. I even got mud splashed on me. So not the best place to train "it's just water and mud you dingaling, trust me!", but it needed doing.
I suspect I'll get one to two "good hard rides" of dressage and/or jumping on Harley a week, followed by two walk-only rides. Mo? He'll be doing lots and lots of walking down the road. I hope to take Mo (and maybe Harley) on an adventure trail walk in town or a local park sometime soon. The heat gives us plenty of reasons to "just walk". While to most that seems simple, riding in unfamiliar places, especially with inexperienced babyH, should lead to a summer of confidence building.
I've ridden a little bit, mostly early early AM, or late evenings. Harley had a light longe followed by a light contact ride, then a day of tough dressage work, and then a day of complete goofing off walking down the road.
I loved the dressage ride. He was cooperative, and is in fact learning his lessons. I know for certain he's ready for Intro C, and he just might be ready for Training 1. Maybe not quite TL1, but close. We've got time. The summer "break" is here in the local show club, so we'll have more time to improve.
I really loved the walk day. I saddled him up, tightened the girth, and hopped on. Harley stayed at the walk, the entire ride. We made it half way to the mailbox, including a jaunt in the highpower electric overhead right of way. When Harley realized it was Mo he saw, and he was looking at the pasture from outside the fence, his ears and body relaxed near immediately. Anytime his head would raise, his ears-radar would perk in one direction. I'd ask for a halt, and let him stand, look, and sniff, right up until he'd relax. After the third time, he looked hard, and when he eased and relaxed, he walked off on his own. A trail rider will tell me, "That's not the best habit to have, where he goes without a cue", but I thought it was cute.
We then headed away from the mailboxes, back past the house, and passed CRNG's crazy yard. Harley took a long hard look at all the little buildings, and listened to his loud rooster, then walked off. He wanted to go farther than I did, but I realized we'd been at it for25 minutes, and decided that it's better to end when he wants more than have a spooky argument and *insist* that he go beyond his comfort zone just to train trust.
Mo and I had a good argument Friday morning. We walked past the mailboxes, down the road, first corner, second corner. By then, he'd spooked at one deer, one horse, two bunnies, and a flapping plastic bag. :-/ Disappointing for his age, but I also recognize we haven't been off-pasture much this year so far.
The worst of the battles occurred at a muddy culvert pipe with water running up to it. As Mo realized what it was, he stopped a way in front of it. Locked up. I hopped off, and hand walked him to the running water. He snorted and spooked, but I forced the issue. I "longed" him through it both directions, probably a dozen times each way. Finally, each direction, he settled mostly. I'll admit, it was muddy, unclear how deep, and he got hock deep a couple times. Mud splashed everywhere. I mounted back up, and made him carry me through it once. I even got mud splashed on me. So not the best place to train "it's just water and mud you dingaling, trust me!", but it needed doing.
I suspect I'll get one to two "good hard rides" of dressage and/or jumping on Harley a week, followed by two walk-only rides. Mo? He'll be doing lots and lots of walking down the road. I hope to take Mo (and maybe Harley) on an adventure trail walk in town or a local park sometime soon. The heat gives us plenty of reasons to "just walk". While to most that seems simple, riding in unfamiliar places, especially with inexperienced babyH, should lead to a summer of confidence building.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
6/5/12 Laughing at Myself
When the weather had cooled to around 95F ( yay,,, Summer is apparently here,, with a vengeance), I grabbed Harley. Saddled endurance, regular bit, helmet, tightened the girth, took him to his pasture, and closed the gate. Boldly I climbed on him "cold", recognizing it was still too toasty for a true longing warmup. Now, remember, Harley had a wild bucking habit in this saddle, not so long ago. As he started to walk through the pasture brush, I felt about 2' taller than I do on Mo. Saddle? Taller horse? General "up" feeling? All of the above.
Harley walked leisurely towards the back of the pasture, skirted around the pond, and wandered behind the arena. He paused just a moment to look around, then kept on going. I kept the reins loose, looking around myself, telling my body to stay relaxed for the "easy day". He paused at the brush side of the property, and expressed some interest in walking down that side. Hmm, I thought... "Brave kid today.. Well, here goes nothing. Wonder how wild he'll get the first limb that rubs his legs, my legs, or the saddle."
He didn't even hesitate. Harley picked his way along the slightly uneven pasture ground, stepped around the brush, walked through the edge of limbs, and as they rubbed him, me, and even the saddle pad, he didn't do more than flick an ear of recognition. Delightful. A few more overhead limbs scratched against my helmet, and I still only got an ear. "Yeah, Mom, I know... I'm getting over it."
I dismounted at the gate, unlatched it, hand walked him through the gate, and hopped back on. As I pushed him forward to walk, he almost immediately popped up to trot. whoa there crazy baby.. easy dude I was able to quickly get him back to his lazy walk. We sloshed through the sand pile, and around the yard a bit. As we came through the "ditch" in front of the house, he went to trot again. uh oh. I have a feeling we shoulda stayed in the pasture, you know, with the gate & all I started to pay attention to what might be causing his up-energy.
CRNG was wandering around, in a speedo only (ew), but not making much noise.
I didn't hear any deer or other assorted wildlife around the area.
There weren't any cars on the road.
Dogs weren't barking. Cows weren't moo-ing, donkeys weren't braying.
ooh , wait.. I bet.. it's.. perhaps...
I tucked my toosh under me, and deliberately "pushed" with my seat.
Harley hopped up to trot.
Oops. :) No leg cue necessary anymore. I now need to be aware of every part of my body, and deliberately relax even my seat, cautious not to give a "go hurry up" cue with my toosh.
needless to say, it was a delightful 25 minute walk around. We wandered up and down the road a little, back to the pasture to splash in the pond, and then returned to the wash rack for a hose & scrub. I let him mow the front yard a little for me before returning him to his pasture.
A really nice, "few days off and no warmup needed" walk around peacefully. well, all except for that little "cue to go" thing I accidentally used.
Harley walked leisurely towards the back of the pasture, skirted around the pond, and wandered behind the arena. He paused just a moment to look around, then kept on going. I kept the reins loose, looking around myself, telling my body to stay relaxed for the "easy day". He paused at the brush side of the property, and expressed some interest in walking down that side. Hmm, I thought... "Brave kid today.. Well, here goes nothing. Wonder how wild he'll get the first limb that rubs his legs, my legs, or the saddle."
He didn't even hesitate. Harley picked his way along the slightly uneven pasture ground, stepped around the brush, walked through the edge of limbs, and as they rubbed him, me, and even the saddle pad, he didn't do more than flick an ear of recognition. Delightful. A few more overhead limbs scratched against my helmet, and I still only got an ear. "Yeah, Mom, I know... I'm getting over it."
I dismounted at the gate, unlatched it, hand walked him through the gate, and hopped back on. As I pushed him forward to walk, he almost immediately popped up to trot. whoa there crazy baby.. easy dude I was able to quickly get him back to his lazy walk. We sloshed through the sand pile, and around the yard a bit. As we came through the "ditch" in front of the house, he went to trot again. uh oh. I have a feeling we shoulda stayed in the pasture, you know, with the gate & all I started to pay attention to what might be causing his up-energy.
CRNG was wandering around, in a speedo only (ew), but not making much noise.
I didn't hear any deer or other assorted wildlife around the area.
There weren't any cars on the road.
Dogs weren't barking. Cows weren't moo-ing, donkeys weren't braying.
ooh , wait.. I bet.. it's.. perhaps...
I tucked my toosh under me, and deliberately "pushed" with my seat.
Harley hopped up to trot.
Oops. :) No leg cue necessary anymore. I now need to be aware of every part of my body, and deliberately relax even my seat, cautious not to give a "go hurry up" cue with my toosh.
needless to say, it was a delightful 25 minute walk around. We wandered up and down the road a little, back to the pasture to splash in the pond, and then returned to the wash rack for a hose & scrub. I let him mow the front yard a little for me before returning him to his pasture.
A really nice, "few days off and no warmup needed" walk around peacefully. well, all except for that little "cue to go" thing I accidentally used.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
6/4/12 PM
I had all good intentions of hopping on Harley and wandering the pasture last night. Harley looked less than amused with my idea, and stood with a somber expression. Romeo, however, was "ears up", stood alert, and looked to me to be asking for the ride. Bareback pad, bit, and helmet, off we went.
I'm pretty sure we covered all the nooks and crannies of the newly mowed pasture. We found all the brush pushed around, and new clearings in places there hadn't been any. Some really neat trails meandering through the trees, all of which Mo was eager to explore. He hesitated twice. Once heading towards the fenceline where the kids were shooting (who can blame him there), and again outside of the brushy longside of the arena, where he usually hesitates from inside the arena fence. Mr J cut a path beside the arena, and now that should make riding inside the fence a bit less nervous... YaY! We also wandered down the road by CRNG's house, which Mo found super amusing with all the new going-ons over there. A very relaxing ride...
On to the Public Service Announcement for the month! CHECK YOUR TACK! CHECK YOUR GEAR! As it turns out, one of my good-for-nothing splats off of Harley about two months' ago had a bad result - cracked helmet. The inexpensive Tippery helmet I purchased about 5 months ago? Is no more. See, with all the extra ventholes, this also created a less than sturdy helmet (apparently). There was a crack all the way through one of the helmet parts across the top. :-( Lovely..
Now, I'm in a ridiculously inexpensive (and slightly uncomfortable) Troxel Spirit. It will work for now, and it's a delightful periwinkle blue (only because they didn't have purple or white). I am disappointed the Tippery didn't last longer, for certain.
Check your gear, fellow riders. This means look at the saddle before you toss it on the horse. Check the bit and bridle before asking your horse to wear it. Look over your gloves - make sure they aren't falling apart. And look the helmet over thoroughly before snapping the chin strap. If you're not riding with a helmet, consider the risk ... Do you really think it's fair to ask your family to care for you as a vegetable in a hospital bed after a traumatic brain injury? Don't just say, "I accept the risk." Discuss it with your loved ones, make sure they accept that risk too.
I'm pretty sure we covered all the nooks and crannies of the newly mowed pasture. We found all the brush pushed around, and new clearings in places there hadn't been any. Some really neat trails meandering through the trees, all of which Mo was eager to explore. He hesitated twice. Once heading towards the fenceline where the kids were shooting (who can blame him there), and again outside of the brushy longside of the arena, where he usually hesitates from inside the arena fence. Mr J cut a path beside the arena, and now that should make riding inside the fence a bit less nervous... YaY! We also wandered down the road by CRNG's house, which Mo found super amusing with all the new going-ons over there. A very relaxing ride...
On to the Public Service Announcement for the month! CHECK YOUR TACK! CHECK YOUR GEAR! As it turns out, one of my good-for-nothing splats off of Harley about two months' ago had a bad result - cracked helmet. The inexpensive Tippery helmet I purchased about 5 months ago? Is no more. See, with all the extra ventholes, this also created a less than sturdy helmet (apparently). There was a crack all the way through one of the helmet parts across the top. :-( Lovely..
Now, I'm in a ridiculously inexpensive (and slightly uncomfortable) Troxel Spirit. It will work for now, and it's a delightful periwinkle blue (only because they didn't have purple or white). I am disappointed the Tippery didn't last longer, for certain.
Check your gear, fellow riders. This means look at the saddle before you toss it on the horse. Check the bit and bridle before asking your horse to wear it. Look over your gloves - make sure they aren't falling apart. And look the helmet over thoroughly before snapping the chin strap. If you're not riding with a helmet, consider the risk ... Do you really think it's fair to ask your family to care for you as a vegetable in a hospital bed after a traumatic brain injury? Don't just say, "I accept the risk." Discuss it with your loved ones, make sure they accept that risk too.
Monday, June 4, 2012
New Hoofs and Happy Rides
Mr Eddie came to visit 5/24 mid-day. Both boys were easy to catch. Romeo had the tiniest bit trimmed off his hoof walls, and a little bit of toes rounded up. All things looking good.
Harley's trim was quite similar. Just a little bit clipped off, and a bit of rounding. He stood pretty good, and I do have before/after pictures taken, need posting. :)
His advice? "Ride them today, for sure! Tomorrow if you have time. Let me know if anything comes up wrong, so I can make a note before I show up again. See you in 6 weeks."
Thursday evening, I rode both. Results? All good. A bit of warmth in all four hooves for Harley, and front right for Mo. Didn't seem to affect either of them, as there wasn't the slightest bit of acting out. :)
Saturday I had some time to ride Harley again. I took him to the arena, and after a brief warmup, we trotted through the ground poles and over the crossrail a few times. Not a single problem. Just a happy cooperative horse. :)
Sunday I hopped on Mo bareback in the evening for a few minutes, and what did I get? One seriously jealous Harley. I made it up to him Monday morning early and rode him out for some work.
Last week had a few good rides, and a few more over the weekend. We're getting the hang of our new homework from the dressage lesson. I'm getting anxious to show it off and find out what's next .
I owe some hoof pictures, some new splint boot reviews, and more good detailed videos of a few things Harley's up to. :)
OOh Yeah.. and a grim picture of my sad helmet before it gets replaced. I will say this for now..
Check Your Tack! Check your Safety Gear! Don't use it if it's not 100%!
Harley's trim was quite similar. Just a little bit clipped off, and a bit of rounding. He stood pretty good, and I do have before/after pictures taken, need posting. :)
His advice? "Ride them today, for sure! Tomorrow if you have time. Let me know if anything comes up wrong, so I can make a note before I show up again. See you in 6 weeks."
Thursday evening, I rode both. Results? All good. A bit of warmth in all four hooves for Harley, and front right for Mo. Didn't seem to affect either of them, as there wasn't the slightest bit of acting out. :)
Saturday I had some time to ride Harley again. I took him to the arena, and after a brief warmup, we trotted through the ground poles and over the crossrail a few times. Not a single problem. Just a happy cooperative horse. :)
Sunday I hopped on Mo bareback in the evening for a few minutes, and what did I get? One seriously jealous Harley. I made it up to him Monday morning early and rode him out for some work.
Last week had a few good rides, and a few more over the weekend. We're getting the hang of our new homework from the dressage lesson. I'm getting anxious to show it off and find out what's next .
I owe some hoof pictures, some new splint boot reviews, and more good detailed videos of a few things Harley's up to. :)
OOh Yeah.. and a grim picture of my sad helmet before it gets replaced. I will say this for now..
Check Your Tack! Check your Safety Gear! Don't use it if it's not 100%!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Life Around the Farm
Harley has had some good solid rides since our lesson. I am mixing up the hard-work dressage rides with some over-poles and trail walking rides. Every other day of hard work. Some rain has smattered in the mix, making for mud and sloppy non-riding days. A few interesting points:
He spooked hard at a deer last week, but only moved off about a foot, from the trot to a complete halt, facing the treeline. He looked hard at the trees a few times past after that, but was easy to get back to work. He tripped over his feet at canter-left, and ducked about a foot to the outside of the circle. I was not only able to stay aboard, but within a half circle had him back at canter. Success! He's adjusting to the shorter reins, holding his head higher and relaxing. My right turns have improved, and he's not bent to the outside going right down the long sides. Improvement, for sure. Harley's work over poles is still great as always. We rode a day of flat poles, and then a day of every other side elevated. Next pole day, I'll lift both ends 4" off the ground. Not paying attention on pole-day last week, after the line of 4 trot poles, Harley turned sharp and headed himself straight for the one-side up cross rail. I didn't want to punish him for his desire, so I stayed the course. Step Hop, as he trotted over it all animated and happy.
Harley's hooves have grown exponentially, probably due to the rainfall, work activity, and the supplement. He had a check-up with Dr. Sam for a few shots and a dental exam. Some bits of baby teeth still haven't all fallen out, but with no eating or performance problems, we decided to wait it out a while longer rather than sedate and go digging around for the bits. One fragment Dr Sam was able to wiggle right out of his gums, so that's good progress. We've got two fragments left to go, I think.
Romeo is just plain happy Mo. Last week, neighbor Tim stopped for a visit when I was preparing Mo to ride. They exchanged sniffs and scritches, and then nTim offered him a piece of pizza crust. Mo mouthed it a while before spitting it out, searching for peppermint cookies and sunflower seeds. Mo does not like Pizza, that is all. :)
We've had a few wild arena rides of running, and a mosquito-bathed walk down the road. The skeeters will keep us on-property for a while longer, probably at least this coming week. His tummy was covered and my legs (through repellant) have about 25 bites right now.. itchie itchie!
Sunday afternoon I took the .22revolver and a box of blanks to the arena with Mo, longeline, and gloves. He did great with me firing away and at a 90degree angle to him. Great, for the first 30 minutes or so. Since it's a 6-shot revolver, and has to be loaded one bullet at a time, reload is slow, Mo watching my every move. By about the 5th "magazine", he was tired of the annoying noise, and had a nice line gallop. :)
The hay fairies greeted me yesterday with half a barn of square bales. Got lucky and found a craigslist ad on the day of baling. Hoping to snatch up the other half of a barn full today.
He spooked hard at a deer last week, but only moved off about a foot, from the trot to a complete halt, facing the treeline. He looked hard at the trees a few times past after that, but was easy to get back to work. He tripped over his feet at canter-left, and ducked about a foot to the outside of the circle. I was not only able to stay aboard, but within a half circle had him back at canter. Success! He's adjusting to the shorter reins, holding his head higher and relaxing. My right turns have improved, and he's not bent to the outside going right down the long sides. Improvement, for sure. Harley's work over poles is still great as always. We rode a day of flat poles, and then a day of every other side elevated. Next pole day, I'll lift both ends 4" off the ground. Not paying attention on pole-day last week, after the line of 4 trot poles, Harley turned sharp and headed himself straight for the one-side up cross rail. I didn't want to punish him for his desire, so I stayed the course. Step Hop, as he trotted over it all animated and happy.
Harley's hooves have grown exponentially, probably due to the rainfall, work activity, and the supplement. He had a check-up with Dr. Sam for a few shots and a dental exam. Some bits of baby teeth still haven't all fallen out, but with no eating or performance problems, we decided to wait it out a while longer rather than sedate and go digging around for the bits. One fragment Dr Sam was able to wiggle right out of his gums, so that's good progress. We've got two fragments left to go, I think.
Romeo is just plain happy Mo. Last week, neighbor Tim stopped for a visit when I was preparing Mo to ride. They exchanged sniffs and scritches, and then nTim offered him a piece of pizza crust. Mo mouthed it a while before spitting it out, searching for peppermint cookies and sunflower seeds. Mo does not like Pizza, that is all. :)
We've had a few wild arena rides of running, and a mosquito-bathed walk down the road. The skeeters will keep us on-property for a while longer, probably at least this coming week. His tummy was covered and my legs (through repellant) have about 25 bites right now.. itchie itchie!
Sunday afternoon I took the .22revolver and a box of blanks to the arena with Mo, longeline, and gloves. He did great with me firing away and at a 90degree angle to him. Great, for the first 30 minutes or so. Since it's a 6-shot revolver, and has to be loaded one bullet at a time, reload is slow, Mo watching my every move. By about the 5th "magazine", he was tired of the annoying noise, and had a nice line gallop. :)
The hay fairies greeted me yesterday with half a barn of square bales. Got lucky and found a craigslist ad on the day of baling. Hoping to snatch up the other half of a barn full today.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Harley's Field Trip
Back to full work, I spent all of last week getting Harley as best I could in his general riding. I didn't push for anything new all week, but focused on light transitions, correct canter leads, and relaxed..
Saturday, we headed up early and went to see Barb at Blue Ribbon Meadows. Minimal traffic on our journey, and we were only a few minutes late. I tacked Harley up, and headed out to longe him for a warmup.
He got lots of looks and compliments in the warmup. Harley, while cute like normal, was quite "lookie loo", and a bit nervous. LOTS going on, horses all around, lessons on going in other arenas.. :) Complete chaos, good practice for baby.
The lesson was pretty neat. Here's the highlights..
* Shorten the reins, realize he's going to fight it a while, but on the circles, ask for bend with my leg and inside hand back to my thigh. To the right, my head might be turning, but my body sure isn't. Focus on bending my hips with the turns. Certainly explains the days going right that he felt bent to the outside on the long sides.. Oops.. Rider, not the horse.
* Head-Up is better right now than head-down. By bending his neck upwards and nose in, I am "lifting his withers and elevating the front end." Otherwise, he's going to be heavy on the forehand, and hanging on my hands. He's starting to do this, and it's better I focus on heads-up than heads-down. What I noticed so far, is when I allowed a free walk, Harley immediately took all I gave him. Very nice, and I'm anxious to start this on the stretchy trot circle, too;
* Snowman circles. One big circle, and figure-8 to a little circle. Body and head of the snowman.
* Add spurs. I borrowed a paid of hard plastic roller spurs. They roll, and don't poke. With some hesitation, I put them to use on Harley's sides. He reacted quietly, much to my surprise. This will be a nice addition. Barb joked with me, "This doesn't need to be a Jane Fonda aerobic workout, you know.." haa .. okay okay
The lesson lasted 45 minutes, and when he was wore out, Harley let us both know. He started fighting us hard, obviously saying, "Okay girls. This was fun to start out with, but I can't hold my tummy up anymore, and my neck is sore!"
Much fun, and Much to work on. I love getting homework! Can't wait to get back at our drills. Two days off (yesterday & today), and we'll try some more.
Saturday, we headed up early and went to see Barb at Blue Ribbon Meadows. Minimal traffic on our journey, and we were only a few minutes late. I tacked Harley up, and headed out to longe him for a warmup.
He got lots of looks and compliments in the warmup. Harley, while cute like normal, was quite "lookie loo", and a bit nervous. LOTS going on, horses all around, lessons on going in other arenas.. :) Complete chaos, good practice for baby.
The lesson was pretty neat. Here's the highlights..
* Shorten the reins, realize he's going to fight it a while, but on the circles, ask for bend with my leg and inside hand back to my thigh. To the right, my head might be turning, but my body sure isn't. Focus on bending my hips with the turns. Certainly explains the days going right that he felt bent to the outside on the long sides.. Oops.. Rider, not the horse.
* Head-Up is better right now than head-down. By bending his neck upwards and nose in, I am "lifting his withers and elevating the front end." Otherwise, he's going to be heavy on the forehand, and hanging on my hands. He's starting to do this, and it's better I focus on heads-up than heads-down. What I noticed so far, is when I allowed a free walk, Harley immediately took all I gave him. Very nice, and I'm anxious to start this on the stretchy trot circle, too;
* Snowman circles. One big circle, and figure-8 to a little circle. Body and head of the snowman.
* Add spurs. I borrowed a paid of hard plastic roller spurs. They roll, and don't poke. With some hesitation, I put them to use on Harley's sides. He reacted quietly, much to my surprise. This will be a nice addition. Barb joked with me, "This doesn't need to be a Jane Fonda aerobic workout, you know.." haa .. okay okay
The lesson lasted 45 minutes, and when he was wore out, Harley let us both know. He started fighting us hard, obviously saying, "Okay girls. This was fun to start out with, but I can't hold my tummy up anymore, and my neck is sore!"
Much fun, and Much to work on. I love getting homework! Can't wait to get back at our drills. Two days off (yesterday & today), and we'll try some more.
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