I fed everybody early, including me, and rode late. Harley eagerly set his head in the halter when I went to the pasture for him. How delightful.
Off to the arena, dressed dressage. Longing went well, except for that brief moment when the deer rustled in the pasture and startled him. Can't hardly get mad when he was frightened. Neck stretcher work was good, and I left him there a little bit longer than average on purpose. I was curious if it would help.
I don't know if it was the different saddle/seat contact, if it was the extra leg pressure I could easily add, the reinforcement of four days in a row, cooler temperatures, or what.. But Harley was forward without a lot of effort, and gave to the bit, holding it three or four strides at a time. It felt great to ride his trot, bouncing in a sweet posting trot that was actually pleasant to ride.
We had four doe deer running around the arena, obviously irritated we interrupted their evening. The feeling was mutual. One doe, we'll call her "Dinner" for short, came within 5' of the arena fence. Harley was uncomfortable with her closeness, so I slowed him to a walk, and started making all kinds of annoying noises at her. Dinner didn't move, not at all. This is the same DinnerDeer from last season, stealing Ransom's supper and interrupting his work. Finally, I started pushing Harley towards her. He snorted at Dinner at the same time I was making silly noises, walking up to her. Finally, Dinner got the hint and retreated. Her partners got the hint, making a very wide detour around the arena and our very large space we'd set.
Total ride, about an hour. Had Dinner and her buddies not interrupted, I would've cantered. He felt that good. Hoping tonight is even better. I'm ready to quit riding him western in the arena. It's time to get to business. We've been at this tiptoe'ing nonsense too long now. I feel good enough, my balance is back, and my energy is nearly 100%. No reason why we can't get out of my "security blanket saddle", at least in the arena.
Showing posts with label Trot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trot. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
05/15/11 Harley Shows Off
As scheduled, R came to help. He came to watch, observe, and give me some ideas on what he saw from what I was feeling.
Harley warmed up like, well, like it was the third day in a row of hard work. Quiet, calm, settled, obedient. Of course he did.. He had an audience. pfft.
I hopped on, and we got down to business. A lot of riding on light contact, and any time I shortened the reins more than that, I had a battle. Harley tried everything he could think of before lowering his head and bringing his little nose in. He twisted his head, twisted his nose, flipped his head up & down. All of it. It took a solid ten minutes of trotting before he gave, and I bet it was an accident. The relaxes didn't last more than a stride or two a piece to start.
With his mind on the bit and on me, I squeezed him up to canter left. He held it two strides, broke to trot. I squeezed again. R said, "He almost got it wrong the second time you asked, but quickly went back to trot, like he was thinking about it. Then he got it right." Held canter for four strides. I sat again, relaxed his trot, asked one more time. Success. On a light contact, we cantered about a circle and a half (maybe more) before easing to trot.
A good walk break, with a little more work on free walk to working walk. I need to figure out how to not only get the stretch down, but to keep up the forward motion. As soon as I loosen the reins, he eases into this ploddy little pokey walk.
Change direction via turn on the haunches - Good Boy! Fantastic! Two serious front leg cross over steps. WOW!
Apparently understanding what I wanted on trot-shorter reins, Harley held the collected rounded frame for three to four strides a handful of times. Lots of praise, and then a squeeze up to canter. Again, he didn't hold it the first time. Momma error. My position is still going to poo the first few canter strides. I sat, settled, relaxed, asked again. That time, he stayed in it, and accepted light bit contact. Fantastic.
Back to trot work. By now, all the bouncy bouncy was getting to me physically. When he's relaxed and round, he's a dream to sit the trot, and light to post. When he's strung out and head up, it's like riding a ping pong ball. Bouncy and hard. I stayed with him long enough to get some relaxation, and then quit.
Tonight, it's no canter ... Me, Harley, Dressage. I miss my dressage saddle. Riding in the western seat is good for my mind, but not so good for me physically. I'm more comfortable in my dressage saddle. My legs go right to position, and I don't feel like I'm reaching for my horse's sides. Much much easier...
Harley warmed up like, well, like it was the third day in a row of hard work. Quiet, calm, settled, obedient. Of course he did.. He had an audience. pfft.
I hopped on, and we got down to business. A lot of riding on light contact, and any time I shortened the reins more than that, I had a battle. Harley tried everything he could think of before lowering his head and bringing his little nose in. He twisted his head, twisted his nose, flipped his head up & down. All of it. It took a solid ten minutes of trotting before he gave, and I bet it was an accident. The relaxes didn't last more than a stride or two a piece to start.
With his mind on the bit and on me, I squeezed him up to canter left. He held it two strides, broke to trot. I squeezed again. R said, "He almost got it wrong the second time you asked, but quickly went back to trot, like he was thinking about it. Then he got it right." Held canter for four strides. I sat again, relaxed his trot, asked one more time. Success. On a light contact, we cantered about a circle and a half (maybe more) before easing to trot.
A good walk break, with a little more work on free walk to working walk. I need to figure out how to not only get the stretch down, but to keep up the forward motion. As soon as I loosen the reins, he eases into this ploddy little pokey walk.
Change direction via turn on the haunches - Good Boy! Fantastic! Two serious front leg cross over steps. WOW!
Apparently understanding what I wanted on trot-shorter reins, Harley held the collected rounded frame for three to four strides a handful of times. Lots of praise, and then a squeeze up to canter. Again, he didn't hold it the first time. Momma error. My position is still going to poo the first few canter strides. I sat, settled, relaxed, asked again. That time, he stayed in it, and accepted light bit contact. Fantastic.
Back to trot work. By now, all the bouncy bouncy was getting to me physically. When he's relaxed and round, he's a dream to sit the trot, and light to post. When he's strung out and head up, it's like riding a ping pong ball. Bouncy and hard. I stayed with him long enough to get some relaxation, and then quit.
Tonight, it's no canter ... Me, Harley, Dressage. I miss my dressage saddle. Riding in the western seat is good for my mind, but not so good for me physically. I'm more comfortable in my dressage saddle. My legs go right to position, and I don't feel like I'm reaching for my horse's sides. Much much easier...
05/14/11 Romeo Gives an Effort
Romeo must've again watched Harley, and realized that nothing would get him out of work, but the right answer. I untied him from his patience tree, and saddled up.
Off to the arena we went. After a little free longe, I put him on the neck stretcher. If I were truly looking for a show horse performance here, he'd need hours and hours of that thing. Instead, he got the idea, and quit fighting it, so I quit and got on.
Walk/Trot work? Better. Canter to start? UGLY! No roundness, no give, and horrendous transitions a dressage grand prix rider couldn't sit nicely. I did lots of trot/halt/back transitions, and then finally I got two great canter/trot in a row. I felt him round, relax, and then slow his gait. Finally! Serious progress!!!
Took me 45 minutes of riding and changing it up, but I did get what I was looking for. Proves to me that what I did with Mo worked, so it will work with Harley. I just must be a little more patient.
Off to the arena we went. After a little free longe, I put him on the neck stretcher. If I were truly looking for a show horse performance here, he'd need hours and hours of that thing. Instead, he got the idea, and quit fighting it, so I quit and got on.
Walk/Trot work? Better. Canter to start? UGLY! No roundness, no give, and horrendous transitions a dressage grand prix rider couldn't sit nicely. I did lots of trot/halt/back transitions, and then finally I got two great canter/trot in a row. I felt him round, relax, and then slow his gait. Finally! Serious progress!!!
Took me 45 minutes of riding and changing it up, but I did get what I was looking for. Proves to me that what I did with Mo worked, so it will work with Harley. I just must be a little more patient.
05/14/11 Harley Tries Again
Better. Not life-changing, but better. I saddled Harley up and off to the arena we went. Cool late morning temperatures, with the slightest hint of north breeze.
His warm up was much better, except for that "steppin' in the ant pile" kickin fit he had. Can't say I blame him, he wasn't really bucking, but lifting his butt and kicking both back feet out forcefully and quickly. Three or four of those (all the way at the end of the longe line, so nobody thinks I was standing downwind of that), and he relaxed. Neck stretcher, good as well.
I hopped on. We argued about what "give to the bit" meant, for, oh about 35 minutes. I got a few great steps of working walk, and even started on what "free walk" means. He's getting it. Nothing quickly, but he's getting it. He can lower his head, but as soon as bit pressure comes off, he slows down, dramatically.
Trot work was better. A bit more forward. As to giving to bit pressure? I settled for nose still out. Not entirely sure if I was feeling what he was really doing, I asked R to participate in Sunday's ride. I couldn't completely tell if Harley was giving to the bit pressure and holding it for a stride or two, or if he was arguing, and just flipping his nose in briefly.
Lots of left right flexing, and lots of both reins as well. He's getting back to smooth, and that's a good thing.
No canter again. I didn't see a reason for it, since we argued so much at the trot. No reason to start up another argument.
Eyes focused on Romeo, I hosed Harley down and tied him to the paddock.
His warm up was much better, except for that "steppin' in the ant pile" kickin fit he had. Can't say I blame him, he wasn't really bucking, but lifting his butt and kicking both back feet out forcefully and quickly. Three or four of those (all the way at the end of the longe line, so nobody thinks I was standing downwind of that), and he relaxed. Neck stretcher, good as well.
I hopped on. We argued about what "give to the bit" meant, for, oh about 35 minutes. I got a few great steps of working walk, and even started on what "free walk" means. He's getting it. Nothing quickly, but he's getting it. He can lower his head, but as soon as bit pressure comes off, he slows down, dramatically.
Trot work was better. A bit more forward. As to giving to bit pressure? I settled for nose still out. Not entirely sure if I was feeling what he was really doing, I asked R to participate in Sunday's ride. I couldn't completely tell if Harley was giving to the bit pressure and holding it for a stride or two, or if he was arguing, and just flipping his nose in briefly.
Lots of left right flexing, and lots of both reins as well. He's getting back to smooth, and that's a good thing.
No canter again. I didn't see a reason for it, since we argued so much at the trot. No reason to start up another argument.
Eyes focused on Romeo, I hosed Harley down and tied him to the paddock.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
05/10/11 It's Going to be a Habit
All those hours on the longeline are starting to pay off.. Read on and see why..
I warmed Harley up, took about 20 minutes, which is standard these days. He isn't tumbling over trot poles, sailing through them at a steady clip. His neck stretcher work was good as well. As soon as I clip the hooks to the girth, he settles in, and gets down to business. We worked through a bunch of transitions, and other than one left-lead canter blip, he was correct and obedient.
I put on the reins and my helmet, and we wandered to the back 2/3 of the arena. The sort of grassy part. Right now it looks more like dried weeds, but there's something there and it keeps the dust down. Straight to business, I flexed him a dozen times each way plus in the middle. Asked for a few backups with moderate success.
Up to the trot, things were improving slowly. He isn't holding that collected trot long, but he'll accept bit pressure without a lot of fuss, bending his nose in every so often for a stride or two. I sat the trot a bit, heading left, and figured, "Well, let's get this done early, so he doesn't learn it means end of the ride, and if there's a problem, I'm not out here for two hours fixing it."
Sit back, squeeze, kiss. Canter! Directly into his left lead, right out of a circle, heading down a long side. I was quickly able to center myself in the saddle, butt glued in, inside leg on. Lifting my sternum up, I felt him move upwards a bit in his canter stride. We got quite a ways around, probably a circle and a half in the back 2/3 before I let out a heavy sigh and he settled to trot. No rein pressure needed. You gotta be kidding me... I guess he is listening on the longe line to my transition cue. I reached forward with both arms as Harley trotted around, rubbing his neck praising him. He plodded along, reins flapping around, totally calm.
Worked on some more trot left, with the same occasional light-bulbish moments of collection. Back to a walk, followed by halts and more flexing. He is getting back to feather-lite on his flexes, which is good. Changed direction through a few steps of turn on forehand and haunches, with decent success. Nothing earth shattering perfect, but he's improving a little.
Up to trot right, good work. Sit, squeeze, kiss. Canter right, about two strides, and broke to trot. We were on the long side, and I repeated the request. Glanced down, wrong lead. ER.. uh oh.. settled a "SHhh" verbal, which he ignored. The corner was fast approaching, and I worried he'd stumble if he counter cantered the corners with me aboard. I had to tug on the reins a little more than I wanted to, but he did break to trot, anxious and tense. I posted the trot until he settled, talked to him a little, then asked again when he relaxed. Success. This time, however, I sat with determination, and kept my inside leg on steady, an occasional kiss here & there. Again, a good set of circle plus some at canter-right, and he eased into a trot with a gentle sigh.
I rubbed his neck in the trot. "Hey baby doll. This is going to start being a habit, ya know? Good canter work today!" We trotted, walked, and halted. He was breathing rather hard, and as soon as I flexed him left, right, and both, he eased his face all the way to the dirt. Suddenly, he started shaking his head and neck, yawning big, shaking some more. Obviously the shorter rein work was with effort, because that full stretch released something in his head or neck. That's the kind of shake I've seen when a chiropractor does a good job adjusting something. Never ridden that much a "shake" release before. It was funny.
We walked around, totally on a loose rein, anywhere he wanted to take his hooves as long as he kept going. After about five minutes, he had his steady breathing back, and was relaxed.
Up to the washrack, with plenty of cookies and praise. It's going to be a habit, this cantering thing!
I warmed Harley up, took about 20 minutes, which is standard these days. He isn't tumbling over trot poles, sailing through them at a steady clip. His neck stretcher work was good as well. As soon as I clip the hooks to the girth, he settles in, and gets down to business. We worked through a bunch of transitions, and other than one left-lead canter blip, he was correct and obedient.
I put on the reins and my helmet, and we wandered to the back 2/3 of the arena. The sort of grassy part. Right now it looks more like dried weeds, but there's something there and it keeps the dust down. Straight to business, I flexed him a dozen times each way plus in the middle. Asked for a few backups with moderate success.
Up to the trot, things were improving slowly. He isn't holding that collected trot long, but he'll accept bit pressure without a lot of fuss, bending his nose in every so often for a stride or two. I sat the trot a bit, heading left, and figured, "Well, let's get this done early, so he doesn't learn it means end of the ride, and if there's a problem, I'm not out here for two hours fixing it."
Sit back, squeeze, kiss. Canter! Directly into his left lead, right out of a circle, heading down a long side. I was quickly able to center myself in the saddle, butt glued in, inside leg on. Lifting my sternum up, I felt him move upwards a bit in his canter stride. We got quite a ways around, probably a circle and a half in the back 2/3 before I let out a heavy sigh and he settled to trot. No rein pressure needed. You gotta be kidding me... I guess he is listening on the longe line to my transition cue. I reached forward with both arms as Harley trotted around, rubbing his neck praising him. He plodded along, reins flapping around, totally calm.
Worked on some more trot left, with the same occasional light-bulbish moments of collection. Back to a walk, followed by halts and more flexing. He is getting back to feather-lite on his flexes, which is good. Changed direction through a few steps of turn on forehand and haunches, with decent success. Nothing earth shattering perfect, but he's improving a little.
Up to trot right, good work. Sit, squeeze, kiss. Canter right, about two strides, and broke to trot. We were on the long side, and I repeated the request. Glanced down, wrong lead. ER.. uh oh.. settled a "SHhh" verbal, which he ignored. The corner was fast approaching, and I worried he'd stumble if he counter cantered the corners with me aboard. I had to tug on the reins a little more than I wanted to, but he did break to trot, anxious and tense. I posted the trot until he settled, talked to him a little, then asked again when he relaxed. Success. This time, however, I sat with determination, and kept my inside leg on steady, an occasional kiss here & there. Again, a good set of circle plus some at canter-right, and he eased into a trot with a gentle sigh.
I rubbed his neck in the trot. "Hey baby doll. This is going to start being a habit, ya know? Good canter work today!" We trotted, walked, and halted. He was breathing rather hard, and as soon as I flexed him left, right, and both, he eased his face all the way to the dirt. Suddenly, he started shaking his head and neck, yawning big, shaking some more. Obviously the shorter rein work was with effort, because that full stretch released something in his head or neck. That's the kind of shake I've seen when a chiropractor does a good job adjusting something. Never ridden that much a "shake" release before. It was funny.
We walked around, totally on a loose rein, anywhere he wanted to take his hooves as long as he kept going. After about five minutes, he had his steady breathing back, and was relaxed.
Up to the washrack, with plenty of cookies and praise. It's going to be a habit, this cantering thing!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
05/07/11 Gotta Start Somewhere
It was a "wish we'd had the video camera" day. Jen was over to offer up her eyes and wisdom. Harley and I dressed up western, and he warmed up very nicely. Neck stretcher work was a little longer than Friday, since I wanted to make a little more sure he was stretched up and ready to work.
I hopped on, and we had a nice set of trot work. Jen pointed out, "Time to improve your posture. Sit up, lift your chest up." I then realized since the accident, I've been caving my whole upper body in. A habit I must certainly break. I felt the burn in my chest muscles as I stretched out. Yeowch. With my chest up and heels down, our trot was particularly nice. Harley responded with a few strides at a time of a long&low collected trot. Fantastic!!
I told Jen, "Well, we have to start somewhere." I squeezed with both legs, and kissed to him. Harley pushed into the canter, as if it wasn't even an issue. He didn't hesitate, he didn't speedy trot first, he just cantered. more, he didn't reach up into it, and he didn't leap into it. He just changed his happy little legs into a canter movement. Wow... I cantered, um, 7 or 8 strides heading to the right. I reversed direction, and did about the same to the left, maybe a stride or two more (he broke gait, totally my fault, but went right back into it). It wasn't a full circle, and my posture stunk. I was leaning forward, I couldn't get my body settled into the canter. Harley will require participation on my part at the canter, but probably only in the form of leg contact. I don't believe he's going to need the driving seat that Ransom did. Once we add collection or "on the bit" canter, this may change.
What I noticed about his canter, is how steady it is. He isn't driving forward, he isn't leaping up with each stride, he's very flat. It's smoooth. Fantastic!
Rode for about 30 minutes total. Asked for a few left-right flexes, and he was super stickie going into them. Light as a feather once he started turning his neck, but very hesitant to begin the neck bend. Something to work on.
Homework - More Canter, and Flex him at the halt until he's light as a feather again. Chest up and out, heels d-o-w-n.
I hopped on, and we had a nice set of trot work. Jen pointed out, "Time to improve your posture. Sit up, lift your chest up." I then realized since the accident, I've been caving my whole upper body in. A habit I must certainly break. I felt the burn in my chest muscles as I stretched out. Yeowch. With my chest up and heels down, our trot was particularly nice. Harley responded with a few strides at a time of a long&low collected trot. Fantastic!!
I told Jen, "Well, we have to start somewhere." I squeezed with both legs, and kissed to him. Harley pushed into the canter, as if it wasn't even an issue. He didn't hesitate, he didn't speedy trot first, he just cantered. more, he didn't reach up into it, and he didn't leap into it. He just changed his happy little legs into a canter movement. Wow... I cantered, um, 7 or 8 strides heading to the right. I reversed direction, and did about the same to the left, maybe a stride or two more (he broke gait, totally my fault, but went right back into it). It wasn't a full circle, and my posture stunk. I was leaning forward, I couldn't get my body settled into the canter. Harley will require participation on my part at the canter, but probably only in the form of leg contact. I don't believe he's going to need the driving seat that Ransom did. Once we add collection or "on the bit" canter, this may change.
What I noticed about his canter, is how steady it is. He isn't driving forward, he isn't leaping up with each stride, he's very flat. It's smoooth. Fantastic!
Rode for about 30 minutes total. Asked for a few left-right flexes, and he was super stickie going into them. Light as a feather once he started turning his neck, but very hesitant to begin the neck bend. Something to work on.
Homework - More Canter, and Flex him at the halt until he's light as a feather again. Chest up and out, heels d-o-w-n.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
First Week of May so far - Catch Up
Not lazy, just multi tasking. The longer I put these off, the farther behind I'm going to get. The farther behind I get, the more I'm going to regret not catching up sooner. So, here's the first three days after the show, in hi-speed.. Go!
5/2/11 - Romeo and I rode the Julie Goodnight Lesson #2 audio. I listened, gave commands, he obeyed. Well, mostly. All but the whole "canter on command", which became the 5/3 homework.
5/3/11 - Romeo. See above. Enter Speed Racer. I gave him a proper warmup, and his walk work was good. His trot work was good. Transition into canter? First time, squeeze. No response. Second time, kick hard and kiss. Suddenly, he was ready to obey me. We didn't canter far before I slowed to trot, and asked again. Only a squeeze and a kiss. Nice... Much better... Unfortunately, he then thought canter meant near gallop. Romeo stayed in the gait as long as I let him, but was speedily zipping around the arena. Go Speed Racer, Go!
Harley - Tacked him up dressage. He rode nicely in the tack. Very nicely. No rushing, no avoiding my seat contact, steady trot. I stayed mostly loose rein, just to encourage forward, and a nice, relaxing "uber seat contact" ride experience for him.
5/4/11 - Harley. Pretty good. Rode dressage, and asked for a little flex give to bit. Harley didn't want any part of that for the first good while, and then he suddenly remembered what he was supposed to do, and eased his neck down, poll in. Good Job!
Romeo - Less Speedy, More Responsive. He was stopping with his head in the sky, so we backed up a lot. Turn on forehand, turn on haunches, side pass. Backed circles in both direction. Back to trot, back to canter. Heading into canter was much easier, heading out he was easily slowed to a pleasure jog. Good deal.
Tonight is Harley only. Much more of the same. Perhaps very soon I'll slide my rear into my western saddle again, and get him up into cantering. I'm not in a super big hurry, but as long as he will fully trot out on a loose rein, no reason I can't start playing with his canter. Trot collected is going to take a long time, and I don't want to wait on canter until his trot is perfect.
5/2/11 - Romeo and I rode the Julie Goodnight Lesson #2 audio. I listened, gave commands, he obeyed. Well, mostly. All but the whole "canter on command", which became the 5/3 homework.
5/3/11 - Romeo. See above. Enter Speed Racer. I gave him a proper warmup, and his walk work was good. His trot work was good. Transition into canter? First time, squeeze. No response. Second time, kick hard and kiss. Suddenly, he was ready to obey me. We didn't canter far before I slowed to trot, and asked again. Only a squeeze and a kiss. Nice... Much better... Unfortunately, he then thought canter meant near gallop. Romeo stayed in the gait as long as I let him, but was speedily zipping around the arena. Go Speed Racer, Go!
Harley - Tacked him up dressage. He rode nicely in the tack. Very nicely. No rushing, no avoiding my seat contact, steady trot. I stayed mostly loose rein, just to encourage forward, and a nice, relaxing "uber seat contact" ride experience for him.
5/4/11 - Harley. Pretty good. Rode dressage, and asked for a little flex give to bit. Harley didn't want any part of that for the first good while, and then he suddenly remembered what he was supposed to do, and eased his neck down, poll in. Good Job!
Romeo - Less Speedy, More Responsive. He was stopping with his head in the sky, so we backed up a lot. Turn on forehand, turn on haunches, side pass. Backed circles in both direction. Back to trot, back to canter. Heading into canter was much easier, heading out he was easily slowed to a pleasure jog. Good deal.
Tonight is Harley only. Much more of the same. Perhaps very soon I'll slide my rear into my western saddle again, and get him up into cantering. I'm not in a super big hurry, but as long as he will fully trot out on a loose rein, no reason I can't start playing with his canter. Trot collected is going to take a long time, and I don't want to wait on canter until his trot is perfect.
Monday, May 2, 2011
4/30 Harley Gets Ready
After his warmup (which was nice as always), I hopped on Harley, not real sure what I’d have. Would he be lazy and slow, barely responding to leg? Or would he be big floaty forward, moving out at the lightest cue?
I started out simple. Forward walk, loose rein. I didn’t allow for anything less than a forward walk. No pokey dragging, no stumbling or tripping. Square quiet halts, and a gentle nudge to get back to walk. Mission Accomplished.
Next out was a trot loose rein. Again, only using my reins to cue direction if he ignored legs. He was light, and very forward. This leads me to think he was confused by the rein cues from the day before.
So I very lightly started adding rein. As soon as he gave, I released the reins 100%. He stayed pretty light and forward.
The ride was very good after that until we were done. I called it quits after about an hour’s work. Brought him back to the wash rack, unsaddled, and gave him a bath. Coated him in Laser Sheen, evened up his mane a little more, and kept him mentally occupied with my boring conversation while he air dried.
Why would I go to so much trouble to get him sparkly clean, clipped, trimmed, shiny, and laser sheen? What on earth could be going on?
A show of course! =) But, because I can, and I need to get pictures off the camera, I’m going to leave everybody hanging for the day. *grin* It’s fun to add some suspense to the show, especially since it was Harley’s first outing with me, and his first big-show scene.
I started out simple. Forward walk, loose rein. I didn’t allow for anything less than a forward walk. No pokey dragging, no stumbling or tripping. Square quiet halts, and a gentle nudge to get back to walk. Mission Accomplished.
Next out was a trot loose rein. Again, only using my reins to cue direction if he ignored legs. He was light, and very forward. This leads me to think he was confused by the rein cues from the day before.
So I very lightly started adding rein. As soon as he gave, I released the reins 100%. He stayed pretty light and forward.
The ride was very good after that until we were done. I called it quits after about an hour’s work. Brought him back to the wash rack, unsaddled, and gave him a bath. Coated him in Laser Sheen, evened up his mane a little more, and kept him mentally occupied with my boring conversation while he air dried.
Why would I go to so much trouble to get him sparkly clean, clipped, trimmed, shiny, and laser sheen? What on earth could be going on?
A show of course! =) But, because I can, and I need to get pictures off the camera, I’m going to leave everybody hanging for the day. *grin* It’s fun to add some suspense to the show, especially since it was Harley’s first outing with me, and his first big-show scene.
4/30 Mo Learns His own Lesson
Saddled Mo up, gave him a brief longe to check for boogers. He was insisting on throwing his head and twisting at the neck heading into canter. I tugged back on the lead rope, forced more hard canter, released to trot, and asked again. Romeo, thinking he knew better than I, whipped up into the canter, throwing his whole neck and head in a twisted weirdness. In a flash, he was stumbling, tripping, and nearly put his tummy on the dirt. I am not sure if his legs got tangled up under him, if he tripped throwing his head, or just threw himself off balance being a twit. No better trainer than the horse himself. I forced him back into canter for a few circles, released to trot, then asked for canter again. Here, Romeo learned his lesson, lightly lifting up into the canter, without tossing his head.
Satisfied he was ready to pay attention, I hopped on. We rode all three gaits, and found his trot/canter/trot transitions entirely horrendous. Heading into canter, he lifts his head up and reaches rather than pushes from behind. In the down transition, he’s so heavy on his front end that it jolts me out of the tack. Yuck! I really need to lighten his transitions in and out of walk and trot first. Hours on the neck stretcher are in order, I do declare.
Satisfied he was ready to pay attention, I hopped on. We rode all three gaits, and found his trot/canter/trot transitions entirely horrendous. Heading into canter, he lifts his head up and reaches rather than pushes from behind. In the down transition, he’s so heavy on his front end that it jolts me out of the tack. Yuck! I really need to lighten his transitions in and out of walk and trot first. Hours on the neck stretcher are in order, I do declare.
4/29 Harley Gets Stickie & Slow
Harley longed out nicely, neck stretcher with equivalent success. A bit of slobber, a lot of relaxed forward trot. When I hopped on, it was another story.
Stickie lazy stickie. I couldn’t add enough leg, it seemed. If I relaxed for even a second, he’d pop back to a walk. Grr.. So I started a gentle squeeze, followed by a whapuva kick and a verbal cluck. My gosh. Lazy britches!
In no way whatsoever did Harley want to trot forward and free, nor did he want to lower his head or poll. Yuck!
We argued for probably twenty minutes. Frustrated, I sent him out on a completely loose rein, lots of leg, lots of cluck. Harley gave in, and provided some forward trot. Decent enough. It wasn’t the full work, but it was better.
His backup was equally yucky, with plenty of head tossing, plenty of stiff resistance. I could almost hear him scoffing at me, “I’m not working today, so don’t bother asking. I’m stronger than you. See, I’ll prove it!”
Babies Babies Babies.. Not every day can be a good day…
Stickie lazy stickie. I couldn’t add enough leg, it seemed. If I relaxed for even a second, he’d pop back to a walk. Grr.. So I started a gentle squeeze, followed by a whapuva kick and a verbal cluck. My gosh. Lazy britches!
In no way whatsoever did Harley want to trot forward and free, nor did he want to lower his head or poll. Yuck!
We argued for probably twenty minutes. Frustrated, I sent him out on a completely loose rein, lots of leg, lots of cluck. Harley gave in, and provided some forward trot. Decent enough. It wasn’t the full work, but it was better.
His backup was equally yucky, with plenty of head tossing, plenty of stiff resistance. I could almost hear him scoffing at me, “I’m not working today, so don’t bother asking. I’m stronger than you. See, I’ll prove it!”
Babies Babies Babies.. Not every day can be a good day…
4/28 New Feet, Bareback Test
Harley and Romeo received a healthy trim Thursday. Both had very long hooves, though Harley had been chipping up and self-trimming, though very unevenly. With their new feet, I wasn’t sure how Harley would feel. Would he move out freely, be awkward as he adjusted to the trim, or be on tip-toes and thin soles?
So I tossed him out on the longe line, and found while a little awkward, he was forward, and light. Nice… No sensitivity in the grass, or on the sand. Nice…
I had stuck the bareback pad on him, so after some free longe all three gaits, I hopped on from the mounting block. Note.. From The Mounting Block. Not hopping from the ground, but I was able to walk him over to the steps, push his hindquarters to the block, and easily slide onto his back. He stood statue-still, and didn’t move on until I squeezed him with my legs. Nice!
We wandered the arena, with some halts and flexes, all with pretty decent results. I walked him quite a while, and found he moved pretty freely. In fact, I was using my standard amount of leg pressure, and he tried to pick up trot a few times. Well, alrighty then. If I’m adding leg, and Harley wants to trot, then let’s trot.
At first, he wasn’t real sure he wanted to trot, but realizing that it was okay to move forward, and I wasn’t going anywhere, he continued on. It wasn’t show-pretty, but I was out trotting mostly sitting, on a loose rein, and he was pretty steady moving forward. It wasn’t the biggest trot he has, but it was steady and consistent. Easy to ride..
A total of about 25 minutes including the longe. When I got back to the wash rack, R said to me, “Holy cow! I saw you bouncing around back there, but I had no idea you didn’t have a saddle on him! Good Boy, Harley!”
So I tossed him out on the longe line, and found while a little awkward, he was forward, and light. Nice… No sensitivity in the grass, or on the sand. Nice…
I had stuck the bareback pad on him, so after some free longe all three gaits, I hopped on from the mounting block. Note.. From The Mounting Block. Not hopping from the ground, but I was able to walk him over to the steps, push his hindquarters to the block, and easily slide onto his back. He stood statue-still, and didn’t move on until I squeezed him with my legs. Nice!
We wandered the arena, with some halts and flexes, all with pretty decent results. I walked him quite a while, and found he moved pretty freely. In fact, I was using my standard amount of leg pressure, and he tried to pick up trot a few times. Well, alrighty then. If I’m adding leg, and Harley wants to trot, then let’s trot.
At first, he wasn’t real sure he wanted to trot, but realizing that it was okay to move forward, and I wasn’t going anywhere, he continued on. It wasn’t show-pretty, but I was out trotting mostly sitting, on a loose rein, and he was pretty steady moving forward. It wasn’t the biggest trot he has, but it was steady and consistent. Easy to ride..
A total of about 25 minutes including the longe. When I got back to the wash rack, R said to me, “Holy cow! I saw you bouncing around back there, but I had no idea you didn’t have a saddle on him! Good Boy, Harley!”
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
4/26 Harley Smiles
I noticed Monday that Harley had a bug that needed fixing before he got any more in the habit. Lazy! Super Lazy! He was for the most part thumbing his nose & ears at my leg, ignoring a gentle squeeze for trot. Not a chance I'm going to let that go. With the warmups complete, and a little light walking on a loose rein complete, it was time to get to business.
I asked for trot lightly, and when he didn't move on, I squeezed Hard and Clucked. I made sure my whole body said, "GO silly!" He took off, near to a canter, head up. I kept the reins loose, and let him go forward, just a little. Back to the walk, which he also ignored the brakes. Ugh. Second time I asked for trot, he was lighter, but the brakes were still lacking. Third time? Go button was back in service... After about the fifth request, his brakes were better, too. Light as a feather on the whoa, but my "go" was interesting.
I studied my body, to see what cue I had taught him, intentional or not. It's in my butt and my tummy, combined with leg. If I tense up tummy, tense up butt just a smidge, and squeeze with my calves, he hops delightfully into the trot. Dunno if it's correct, but since he's mine for a long time, it doesn't much matter what cue works for anyone else. I thought about it a while later, and realized I've given Romeo nearly the same cue - I urge the trot with my lower body (tummy, torso, toosh), and he'll pop up into a jog. Now, Harley's doing it nearly the same way. Hmm.. Guess I'm doing it without realizing.
With the transitions improved, I shortened my reins, and asked him to give to the bit again. Nearly immediately all of the troubles with "give" and turning I had on Monday were gone, and he was behaving like a complete gentleman. I mixed it up by changing direction a bunch, serpentines, little circles, big circles, turn into and away from the fence... Plenty of walk to halt to standing a while as well. Flex left Flex right Up both reins, give give give...
Finished up our work with walk to a gentle halt on the verbal heavy sigh (air brakes! cool dude!), and backing up. His back up was easily initiated with calves and both reins, and then I was able to barely hold the rein pressure and he kept backing. About five voluntary steps in there after the initial ask. Very Cool!
I asked for trot lightly, and when he didn't move on, I squeezed Hard and Clucked. I made sure my whole body said, "GO silly!" He took off, near to a canter, head up. I kept the reins loose, and let him go forward, just a little. Back to the walk, which he also ignored the brakes. Ugh. Second time I asked for trot, he was lighter, but the brakes were still lacking. Third time? Go button was back in service... After about the fifth request, his brakes were better, too. Light as a feather on the whoa, but my "go" was interesting.
I studied my body, to see what cue I had taught him, intentional or not. It's in my butt and my tummy, combined with leg. If I tense up tummy, tense up butt just a smidge, and squeeze with my calves, he hops delightfully into the trot. Dunno if it's correct, but since he's mine for a long time, it doesn't much matter what cue works for anyone else. I thought about it a while later, and realized I've given Romeo nearly the same cue - I urge the trot with my lower body (tummy, torso, toosh), and he'll pop up into a jog. Now, Harley's doing it nearly the same way. Hmm.. Guess I'm doing it without realizing.
With the transitions improved, I shortened my reins, and asked him to give to the bit again. Nearly immediately all of the troubles with "give" and turning I had on Monday were gone, and he was behaving like a complete gentleman. I mixed it up by changing direction a bunch, serpentines, little circles, big circles, turn into and away from the fence... Plenty of walk to halt to standing a while as well. Flex left Flex right Up both reins, give give give...
Finished up our work with walk to a gentle halt on the verbal heavy sigh (air brakes! cool dude!), and backing up. His back up was easily initiated with calves and both reins, and then I was able to barely hold the rein pressure and he kept backing. About five voluntary steps in there after the initial ask. Very Cool!
4/25 Harley says, "OOOOH! Okay!"
Some big plans are underway for my Super Harley Baby. But what are they? Oooh no. I'm not jinxing my karma here, folks. When we have pictures and video to prove the fun goodiness, I'll share. Until then, I leave your minds with training updates, sure to put a smile on your face. Well, at least until the gun went off..
Monday I caught Harley, dressed him up pretty, and off we went. Another windy howly day, where the trees and brush seem to bend sideways just when he's on that side of the arena. Poor kid.. He's definitely quiet in noisy weather now.
Warm up was nice. Trot poles went well. Neck stretcher was delightful. Watching his little mouth get all slobbery while he longes in the neck stretcher makes me smile, knowing all the muscles are working in that tracking up trot, and the satisfied look on his little face.
I hopped aboard, and we got right down to business. Now that I think about it, I wonder if I've really gone into detail on what a ride looks like for me and Harley right now. It's certainly not lazy days, and I will admit I am slowly teaching him to stand still and wait. Lots of standing around watching the birds and traffic. *cough* sorry.. back to the story. I started him out with a nice loose rein walk, wandering the back 2/3 of the arena. It is dusty and dry at my house, and I saw no need for both of us to ride through the grass-free longe circle anymore. He didn't seem the slightest bit bothered by the back portion of the arena, so I got working.
Nice steady, loose rein trot. Let him find his feet, to which he got lazy, stumbled, tripped, and finally started moving out off my leg squeezing. Responsible for anywhere his feet landed, and finaly moving around at a solid working trot.
I put a little pressure on the reins, to which he lifted his head, and shortened his stride. I added my leg, to which he went back to his normal trot. He tried everything to get away from that bit. Twisting his head, tossing it around, flipping it around ilke a pecking chicken. Turning big, turning tight.. You name it. Finally, after a long battle about fifteen minutes, he gave.
I don't know if it was accidental, or because of all the flexing I'd done, but he gave. Head lowered, nose in, poll bent. I released my reins immediately, and patted his neck with a verbal, "Good Boy!" Shortly after that, I gathered rein again. Another give. Release and praise. Repeat Repeat Repeat.
We reversed direction to trot right, and got back to it. He fought less, but I figured this would be the case, he loves heading right. Quickly I got a nice give, and a very round horse moving forward. Plenty of praise and patting.
It felt like he said, "Oh! THAT'S what you wanted! Got it, Mom! Whew!"
Monday I caught Harley, dressed him up pretty, and off we went. Another windy howly day, where the trees and brush seem to bend sideways just when he's on that side of the arena. Poor kid.. He's definitely quiet in noisy weather now.
Warm up was nice. Trot poles went well. Neck stretcher was delightful. Watching his little mouth get all slobbery while he longes in the neck stretcher makes me smile, knowing all the muscles are working in that tracking up trot, and the satisfied look on his little face.
I hopped aboard, and we got right down to business. Now that I think about it, I wonder if I've really gone into detail on what a ride looks like for me and Harley right now. It's certainly not lazy days, and I will admit I am slowly teaching him to stand still and wait. Lots of standing around watching the birds and traffic. *cough* sorry.. back to the story. I started him out with a nice loose rein walk, wandering the back 2/3 of the arena. It is dusty and dry at my house, and I saw no need for both of us to ride through the grass-free longe circle anymore. He didn't seem the slightest bit bothered by the back portion of the arena, so I got working.
Nice steady, loose rein trot. Let him find his feet, to which he got lazy, stumbled, tripped, and finally started moving out off my leg squeezing. Responsible for anywhere his feet landed, and finaly moving around at a solid working trot.
I put a little pressure on the reins, to which he lifted his head, and shortened his stride. I added my leg, to which he went back to his normal trot. He tried everything to get away from that bit. Twisting his head, tossing it around, flipping it around ilke a pecking chicken. Turning big, turning tight.. You name it. Finally, after a long battle about fifteen minutes, he gave.
I don't know if it was accidental, or because of all the flexing I'd done, but he gave. Head lowered, nose in, poll bent. I released my reins immediately, and patted his neck with a verbal, "Good Boy!" Shortly after that, I gathered rein again. Another give. Release and praise. Repeat Repeat Repeat.
We reversed direction to trot right, and got back to it. He fought less, but I figured this would be the case, he loves heading right. Quickly I got a nice give, and a very round horse moving forward. Plenty of praise and patting.
It felt like he said, "Oh! THAT'S what you wanted! Got it, Mom! Whew!"
Monday, April 25, 2011
4/22/11 Review & New Homework
Jen came over to watch and offer tips on "what's next". As I almost expected, Harley, feeling either my tension or energy, bucked like a grasshopper heading canter-left. Baby, baby. You're just going to wear yourself out, and I'm not changing my plans for the day based on a little silly bucking.
Longed free, added neck stretcher. Lots of spit, and a happy mouth. Harley hopped cheerfully over his three-in-a-row ground poles. Jen adjusted them to a slightly larger stride, and he sailed over them still. Pretty!
I hopped on, and quickly got to business. I flexed him left, right, both, all with happy success. He looked happy to be doing his job, almost bored. Time to liven things up. I pushed him up to a walk, and remarked it felt like he's poking. Jen let me know that he's over-tracking a LOT at the walk, just moves slow at it. I don't know if this is an "improvable" feature, or something I should just get used to. I do remember at least once or twice he has marched on with a strong walk, it's just not very often.
Then we picked it up to the trot. Lots of loose rein for Harley to start, me posting about on his back, changing direction, changing intentions, all around the place. Realizing I hadn't ridden trot over the full arena, I took him all around both directions. Jen called out, "Where ya going?" I explained, to which she responded, "Well that was a non-event, cool!"
Moving onto something new, I started lightly gathering my reins, shortening them, and barely making contact with his mouth. Harley immediately expressed his displeasure, tossing his head, flipping his mouth around, twisting at the poll, you name it. Bring on the diversion techniques! None of them swayed me. Jen did comment that my old Ransom habit of "tug tug" isn't going to work as well with Harley, and the best way to get "give" for now, is to hold the reins tight and steady, giving with a full release anytime he gives.
I had to settle for "sort of". He lowered his head just a little bit, and I gave completely, and relaxed a bit at the walk. We repeated this a few more times, and after about three "half effort gives", I quit the trot work.
Finally, for homework this week, the back up. Harley previously knew a little bit pressure meant "back up now". I've since changed that lesson, where a little bit pressure means "give at the poll slightly, lower your head". Now, Harley's back up means a little bit, a little leg, squeeeeeze. I'm settling for one step to start, and then add more one at a time until he's got 4-5 happy steps backwards. For now, I need to remember backing at all is good. Later, when he's completely proficient with leg cues for turning and bending, THEN I can start adding leg to correct crooked backups.
Well over an hour, and a good time had by all.
Longed free, added neck stretcher. Lots of spit, and a happy mouth. Harley hopped cheerfully over his three-in-a-row ground poles. Jen adjusted them to a slightly larger stride, and he sailed over them still. Pretty!
I hopped on, and quickly got to business. I flexed him left, right, both, all with happy success. He looked happy to be doing his job, almost bored. Time to liven things up. I pushed him up to a walk, and remarked it felt like he's poking. Jen let me know that he's over-tracking a LOT at the walk, just moves slow at it. I don't know if this is an "improvable" feature, or something I should just get used to. I do remember at least once or twice he has marched on with a strong walk, it's just not very often.
Then we picked it up to the trot. Lots of loose rein for Harley to start, me posting about on his back, changing direction, changing intentions, all around the place. Realizing I hadn't ridden trot over the full arena, I took him all around both directions. Jen called out, "Where ya going?" I explained, to which she responded, "Well that was a non-event, cool!"
Moving onto something new, I started lightly gathering my reins, shortening them, and barely making contact with his mouth. Harley immediately expressed his displeasure, tossing his head, flipping his mouth around, twisting at the poll, you name it. Bring on the diversion techniques! None of them swayed me. Jen did comment that my old Ransom habit of "tug tug" isn't going to work as well with Harley, and the best way to get "give" for now, is to hold the reins tight and steady, giving with a full release anytime he gives.
I had to settle for "sort of". He lowered his head just a little bit, and I gave completely, and relaxed a bit at the walk. We repeated this a few more times, and after about three "half effort gives", I quit the trot work.
Finally, for homework this week, the back up. Harley previously knew a little bit pressure meant "back up now". I've since changed that lesson, where a little bit pressure means "give at the poll slightly, lower your head". Now, Harley's back up means a little bit, a little leg, squeeeeeze. I'm settling for one step to start, and then add more one at a time until he's got 4-5 happy steps backwards. For now, I need to remember backing at all is good. Later, when he's completely proficient with leg cues for turning and bending, THEN I can start adding leg to correct crooked backups.
Well over an hour, and a good time had by all.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
4-18 Pete!
Lather, Rinse, Pete, Repeat. It almost got boring, but as you'll see in the 4/19 entry, it's all paying off. Now how's that for a teaser, eh?
I longed him, I added the neck stretcher. I hopped aboard. Harley and I flexed left, right, both, left, right, both. It felt like we did this two dozen times, at least. Knowing it's good for him, he was stickie left to start, right was delightful. As time went on in the ride, the left got much better.
Then we picked up a trot, loose rein. With his reins swinging in and out, we were trotting a nice circle. He drifted into the circle a little, and I caught myself adding inside leg, pushing him over. He actually yielded to the leg pressure, and moved back out on the circle. I did it a few more times, trying to not use rein at all, and found the same results. Talk about accidental training! I then tried turning him in direction changes and figure eights, all at the trot, all off of leg. He isn't spinning on a nickel, but he's turning. More accidental training. I don't remember intentionally thinking, "Today, I'm going to teach my horse to turn off of my leg without using the reins." Apparently I've been doing it anyways. Good to know I've been releasing at the right times, otherwise, Harley would never be turning well.
We trotted out good big circles both ways, and in an effort to make it more interesting for both of us, I started trotting big figure 8s, insisting he stay forward in the direction change. It took a few changes, but he got the idea, and stayed seriously forward.
Total ride time? About 25 minutes. I totally lost track of time, as we were in the arena about an hour, fifteen minutes.. Whoops Harley! One more day, buddy.. Just one more day...
I longed him, I added the neck stretcher. I hopped aboard. Harley and I flexed left, right, both, left, right, both. It felt like we did this two dozen times, at least. Knowing it's good for him, he was stickie left to start, right was delightful. As time went on in the ride, the left got much better.
Then we picked up a trot, loose rein. With his reins swinging in and out, we were trotting a nice circle. He drifted into the circle a little, and I caught myself adding inside leg, pushing him over. He actually yielded to the leg pressure, and moved back out on the circle. I did it a few more times, trying to not use rein at all, and found the same results. Talk about accidental training! I then tried turning him in direction changes and figure eights, all at the trot, all off of leg. He isn't spinning on a nickel, but he's turning. More accidental training. I don't remember intentionally thinking, "Today, I'm going to teach my horse to turn off of my leg without using the reins." Apparently I've been doing it anyways. Good to know I've been releasing at the right times, otherwise, Harley would never be turning well.
We trotted out good big circles both ways, and in an effort to make it more interesting for both of us, I started trotting big figure 8s, insisting he stay forward in the direction change. It took a few changes, but he got the idea, and stayed seriously forward.
Total ride time? About 25 minutes. I totally lost track of time, as we were in the arena about an hour, fifteen minutes.. Whoops Harley! One more day, buddy.. Just one more day...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
4/16 & 4/17 Lather, Rinse, Pete
Pete, Repeat. Pete, Repeat. That's how it felt, at least.
4/16, Harley and I warmed up like normal, with slightly shorter neck stretcher. Within a few minutes, he had his tongue flapping around his mouth, earnestly trying to gather up the slobber he wasn't used to. I laughed, but felt some satisfaction in that he's building the muscle to hold a forward, collected movement in the neck stretcher. While not replicating what my hands will do with the reins, it's building muscle. Progress...
I hopped on, and found his bending and flexing left to be terrific. Bending right? Nasty, just nasty. I ended up bumping on the bit some, as he'd get so close, but hang on the bit those last few inches. Bump Bump, and he would give a little.
Vertical flexion was, well, terrific. The longer I bent him right and left, the more I noticed he was giving vertically in the middle, just about voluntarily. Neat! I felt a few good stretches across his back during some vertical "both reins" flexion. Relaxing, because he was yawning a time or two as well, I'm sure enjoying that newfound feeling of "stretch" while I'm aboard.
Then I picked up the trot for just a few circles, each direction. Delightful, well, once I got used to it. It's huge, it really is. I suppose I ought to snag a video or two of his trot, just so I can see how much ground he covers. Posting the trot, there's "hang time", in what feels like, for a split second, all four hooves are off the ground. It feels like he's flying, really zipping around the circle. My reins were loose and swinging to and fro, causing me to start laughing at the swinging reins, which almost certainly mean a swinging rear. =)
4/17, Obviously disgusted with this new "working all the time", Harley attempted a good bucking circle warming up. As he transitioned from trot to canter, he bucked almost an entire circle, voluntarily moving forward in the circle the whole time. I kissed to him, tugged on the longe line, but he persisted. I started laughing at him, he let out a huge snotty sigh, and went back to the canter correctly. Obviously he realized it wasn't upsetting me enough to change the plan, and it's much easier to work correctly. Harley galloped another circle or two, got very tired very quickly, and resumed his work. The neck stretcher got good results again, white frothy happy spit dripping from his mouth. Loving it!
On the 17 ride, he was flexing nicely to the right, but horridly to the left. Same as the right had been the day before, all but the last few inches, then hang and rest. Grr... Vertically, he was about light as a feather, but tried tossing his face around for a few of them. I responded by holding my reins short and light, giving as soon as he rested and held the flexion. Good Boy, Harley. You can try to be a booger, but it won't last, because I can change the game.
The trot again lasted a while longer, a few more circles, and a nice change of direction. In the change of direction at trot, he lost all of his forward, but he stayed in the trot, nevermind it resembled a jog. Hey, it's a start. On the circle, I noticed he was paying close attention to my leg cues for turns. I hadn't intentionally teaching this, but apparently I was accidentally teaching him something useful. Excellent! I must have been doing it right as well, releasing when I got the answer I wanted. It felt good to get those turns. At the same time, I recognized that I can add inside leg (calf pressure) just lightly, and he would increase his trot stride. Really?! Did I accidentally do that, too, or did he come to me with that knowledge. I haven't thought to ask yet, but it's a neat idea - I have taught him to turn and yield on leg pressure, and increase stride with inside leg, all by habit rather than intention.
4/16, Harley and I warmed up like normal, with slightly shorter neck stretcher. Within a few minutes, he had his tongue flapping around his mouth, earnestly trying to gather up the slobber he wasn't used to. I laughed, but felt some satisfaction in that he's building the muscle to hold a forward, collected movement in the neck stretcher. While not replicating what my hands will do with the reins, it's building muscle. Progress...
I hopped on, and found his bending and flexing left to be terrific. Bending right? Nasty, just nasty. I ended up bumping on the bit some, as he'd get so close, but hang on the bit those last few inches. Bump Bump, and he would give a little.
Vertical flexion was, well, terrific. The longer I bent him right and left, the more I noticed he was giving vertically in the middle, just about voluntarily. Neat! I felt a few good stretches across his back during some vertical "both reins" flexion. Relaxing, because he was yawning a time or two as well, I'm sure enjoying that newfound feeling of "stretch" while I'm aboard.
Then I picked up the trot for just a few circles, each direction. Delightful, well, once I got used to it. It's huge, it really is. I suppose I ought to snag a video or two of his trot, just so I can see how much ground he covers. Posting the trot, there's "hang time", in what feels like, for a split second, all four hooves are off the ground. It feels like he's flying, really zipping around the circle. My reins were loose and swinging to and fro, causing me to start laughing at the swinging reins, which almost certainly mean a swinging rear. =)
4/17, Obviously disgusted with this new "working all the time", Harley attempted a good bucking circle warming up. As he transitioned from trot to canter, he bucked almost an entire circle, voluntarily moving forward in the circle the whole time. I kissed to him, tugged on the longe line, but he persisted. I started laughing at him, he let out a huge snotty sigh, and went back to the canter correctly. Obviously he realized it wasn't upsetting me enough to change the plan, and it's much easier to work correctly. Harley galloped another circle or two, got very tired very quickly, and resumed his work. The neck stretcher got good results again, white frothy happy spit dripping from his mouth. Loving it!
On the 17 ride, he was flexing nicely to the right, but horridly to the left. Same as the right had been the day before, all but the last few inches, then hang and rest. Grr... Vertically, he was about light as a feather, but tried tossing his face around for a few of them. I responded by holding my reins short and light, giving as soon as he rested and held the flexion. Good Boy, Harley. You can try to be a booger, but it won't last, because I can change the game.
The trot again lasted a while longer, a few more circles, and a nice change of direction. In the change of direction at trot, he lost all of his forward, but he stayed in the trot, nevermind it resembled a jog. Hey, it's a start. On the circle, I noticed he was paying close attention to my leg cues for turns. I hadn't intentionally teaching this, but apparently I was accidentally teaching him something useful. Excellent! I must have been doing it right as well, releasing when I got the answer I wanted. It felt good to get those turns. At the same time, I recognized that I can add inside leg (calf pressure) just lightly, and he would increase his trot stride. Really?! Did I accidentally do that, too, or did he come to me with that knowledge. I haven't thought to ask yet, but it's a neat idea - I have taught him to turn and yield on leg pressure, and increase stride with inside leg, all by habit rather than intention.
4/14 & 4/15
4/14 - Longed Harley, side reins, surcingle. I wasn't motivated to do much more with him, exhausted from a long work week. Total work, about 40 minutes.
4/15 - Jen came over, offered extra eyes and a few tips on how to move forward in his training. Rather than the bending/flexing at the walk, she suggested work at halt. Bend his head left, bend his head right, gather both reins up, and release in all three directions anytime he gave a correct response. Within a few minutes, he realized what the lesson was for both reins. He was stickie bending left to start, and then after a half hour randomnly flexing him, he became stickie right.
I picked up the trot, and Jen noticed Harley wasn't really trotting out near like he does on the longe. Oops, rider error. This rider has been holding him back. I explained a little of my hesitation in "letting him go", and she assured me, "He's not going anywhere, he's not going to do anything bad. Let him Go."
When I did, he didn't hold it for long, I'm certain because he hadn't been allowed to do it with me riding yet. I got a few good strides in a row really trotting out before he'd ease up again. It felt speedy, and honestly, HUGE. I remarked to Jen afterwards, "Ransom didn't trot out that big, um, ever, I don't think." Jen replied, "In his hayday, Ransom probably could trot that big, but he was stiff and sore when he was here, so you're right, he didn't trot that big. Harley has young legs and loose joints, so he is going to move bigger."
Little horse, little legs, and man o man, that Harley can MOVE!
Homework: Longe in neck stretcher a lot, work on suppleness at the halt (left, right, both), and until he's excellent at halt, don't move onto walk. At the trot, push push push for forward and moving out. Loose rein as much as possible at the trot. Aim for 5 to 6 days work a week.
4/15 - Jen came over, offered extra eyes and a few tips on how to move forward in his training. Rather than the bending/flexing at the walk, she suggested work at halt. Bend his head left, bend his head right, gather both reins up, and release in all three directions anytime he gave a correct response. Within a few minutes, he realized what the lesson was for both reins. He was stickie bending left to start, and then after a half hour randomnly flexing him, he became stickie right.
I picked up the trot, and Jen noticed Harley wasn't really trotting out near like he does on the longe. Oops, rider error. This rider has been holding him back. I explained a little of my hesitation in "letting him go", and she assured me, "He's not going anywhere, he's not going to do anything bad. Let him Go."
When I did, he didn't hold it for long, I'm certain because he hadn't been allowed to do it with me riding yet. I got a few good strides in a row really trotting out before he'd ease up again. It felt speedy, and honestly, HUGE. I remarked to Jen afterwards, "Ransom didn't trot out that big, um, ever, I don't think." Jen replied, "In his hayday, Ransom probably could trot that big, but he was stiff and sore when he was here, so you're right, he didn't trot that big. Harley has young legs and loose joints, so he is going to move bigger."
Little horse, little legs, and man o man, that Harley can MOVE!
Homework: Longe in neck stretcher a lot, work on suppleness at the halt (left, right, both), and until he's excellent at halt, don't move onto walk. At the trot, push push push for forward and moving out. Loose rein as much as possible at the trot. Aim for 5 to 6 days work a week.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
4/2/11 Comfy!
Weather was a little warm and muggy, but Harley came up for halter and grooming quietly. I became slightly brave, and saddled him dressage. Out to the arena we went, all my longing goods, and riding accessories. I felt loaded down for a day at the arena, and felt it kind of amusing I was planning on an hour work, tops.
Harley longed out on the line pretty well. He hopped over a few poles without incident. With a few successful leads at canter both ways, I eased him back to a walk, and then added bit and neck stretcher. Again, more success. Harley has gotten better about staying off the pressure, bending at neck and poll at the walk and trot. His canter on the stretcher is relaxing his neck, but he still sticks his nose out. All in good time, that should improve, too.
Bravery took over, and I took all of Harley's longing gear off, put on my helmet, added reins to the bit, held my breath a little, and mounted up. As soon as my legs were settled around him, I dismounted. And I mounted again, wiggled around, and dismounted. Finally, I took one deep breath, and mounted one last time. I wiggled, I leaned to each side a few times, I leaned forward, I leaned backwards. Another deep slow breath, and I squeezed my legs.
After not moving in the slightest for all the mounting, dismounting, wiggling and jiggling, Harley responded to my legs, and walked off. I only let him walk about twenty feet before bringing him to a halt again. With a gentle rein and squeeze my knees, he stopped. He shifted his weight underneath himself, and I squeezed him off to walk again. We repeated the walk and halt a number of times, mostly for my mind, ensuring he'd go when I asked, and more importantly stop when I asked. Many direction changes, a good dozen halts, and I asked him to trot. I didn't let him trot off much, maybe halfway around a circle, and we were back to walk. His transition from trot to walk was good as well, responding to very little pressure. I repeated this, twice, both times going right. yes, in the big picture of life, I should have done it left, too. however, this isn't big picture day, this is ride my horse a little, boost my confidence and his. At the trot, I briefly focused my post to a speed I felt comfortable with. Almost immediately, I felt Harley's motion hesitate, and then move in sync with my body. Incredible...
We worked a total of about an hour. Approximately 15 minutes of that under saddle. I can say, I have missed my dressage saddle comfort. I didn't realize how much I was missing it until I sat down in it and asked for forward. My cues can be lighter, my body can move and Harley responds. I don't need to shove my hips around to make the walk bigger, and I don't need to nearly kick him for forward. The halts are nearly as light, shifting weight and settling my body. Delightfully comfy.
Harley longed out on the line pretty well. He hopped over a few poles without incident. With a few successful leads at canter both ways, I eased him back to a walk, and then added bit and neck stretcher. Again, more success. Harley has gotten better about staying off the pressure, bending at neck and poll at the walk and trot. His canter on the stretcher is relaxing his neck, but he still sticks his nose out. All in good time, that should improve, too.
Bravery took over, and I took all of Harley's longing gear off, put on my helmet, added reins to the bit, held my breath a little, and mounted up. As soon as my legs were settled around him, I dismounted. And I mounted again, wiggled around, and dismounted. Finally, I took one deep breath, and mounted one last time. I wiggled, I leaned to each side a few times, I leaned forward, I leaned backwards. Another deep slow breath, and I squeezed my legs.
After not moving in the slightest for all the mounting, dismounting, wiggling and jiggling, Harley responded to my legs, and walked off. I only let him walk about twenty feet before bringing him to a halt again. With a gentle rein and squeeze my knees, he stopped. He shifted his weight underneath himself, and I squeezed him off to walk again. We repeated the walk and halt a number of times, mostly for my mind, ensuring he'd go when I asked, and more importantly stop when I asked. Many direction changes, a good dozen halts, and I asked him to trot. I didn't let him trot off much, maybe halfway around a circle, and we were back to walk. His transition from trot to walk was good as well, responding to very little pressure. I repeated this, twice, both times going right. yes, in the big picture of life, I should have done it left, too. however, this isn't big picture day, this is ride my horse a little, boost my confidence and his. At the trot, I briefly focused my post to a speed I felt comfortable with. Almost immediately, I felt Harley's motion hesitate, and then move in sync with my body. Incredible...
We worked a total of about an hour. Approximately 15 minutes of that under saddle. I can say, I have missed my dressage saddle comfort. I didn't realize how much I was missing it until I sat down in it and asked for forward. My cues can be lighter, my body can move and Harley responds. I don't need to shove my hips around to make the walk bigger, and I don't need to nearly kick him for forward. The halts are nearly as light, shifting weight and settling my body. Delightfully comfy.
Friday, March 25, 2011
3/24/11 The Trot
I gathered Harley and got him dressed after another busy PT. Looks like there's one more week there yet to go. I have some decisions to make concerning PT - do I think I'm good enough to call it "done", or are there things I still need to improve worth making another dr appointment and asking for another four weeks? I haven't decided. While I am a LOT stronger than I was, there are still a handful of things around the house that are difficult to do on my own. Things to consider ...
Harley first longed out with the bit in mouth, longed from the halter (nothing attached to the bit). He hopped playfully over the poles, but with a few wrong leads heading left. Grr..
Then I tried something different to encourage head down, nose in, use the rear end better. I have a fairly long old rope with clips on the end, and it looks much like Julie Goodnight's Elbow Pull bitting system. Well,,, It sort of works. Harley responded correctly at the walk, but failed again at the trot. I think he was "correct" for a stride or two going right, but that was it. Otherwise, he just lifted his head higher and found the wrong release. Grr! So, it's back to the drawing board, er, tack store catalogs, to figure out what else might work. I need to show him that "good" is head down, nose in. I don't expect him to hold it for hours, but I noticed last night he's getting muscles on the lower side of his neck, not on top. This needs improving. On the longe, his forward is FANTASTIC. He'll over stride at the walk, and he is tracking up nicely at the trot. His canter varies depending how early in the workout it is, as it starts out speedy and short, but he eases into a pretty graceful canter after a little while. However, the quicker gaits are all done with his neck up, nose out. Blech!
I changed his bit from longing french link to the Myler Combo, and walked him over to the mounting steps. Success! In less than two minutes, he was at the steps, and I was aboard. I then mentally prepared for what might come next. When I add leg to ask him to move on, will he burst away from the block, just stand there, or walk away quietly. Again, Success! Harley took about two gentle steps from the steps on a little leg pressure, and hesitated, as if to make sure I was really ready to move. I added leg, and he continued.
With a little walk, turn, and halt, he was responsive and paying attention. I got brave, and squeezed and clucked. Harley hopped up into his trot, and again hesitated, making sure he really did have the right answer. I trotted about a circle and a half, each direction, and found his trot to walk transition isn't the greatest. Ugh. If I sit deep, shift weight back, he drags his feet moving to walk. If I shift my weight forward a little and tip my pelvis behind me, he stops pretty quickly. Hmm.. I wonder where he learned that little habit, and how I might fix it.
So back to the walk we went, where I repeated walk/halt over and over and over, shifting my weight back, closing my knees, and then adding bit pressure. I decided to stop when I had about four in a row that were improved. Finished out the work with a little side to side flexion, and when I added pressure to both sides of the bit (closed both hands on the reins), he figeted a little before lowering his head, to which I immediately released all rein contact. It's not a miracle, but it's a start.
This means we're up to good solid walking work, and a little trotting under saddle again. It felt good. He isn't poking around like he was last year, so the longing work is helping. I do, however, need to set up some poles, cones, and solo rail razors around the arena, and begin work to improve his turns, moving him around things and over obstacles. It'll give us both something to think about, making the rides longer each time.
Harley first longed out with the bit in mouth, longed from the halter (nothing attached to the bit). He hopped playfully over the poles, but with a few wrong leads heading left. Grr..
Then I tried something different to encourage head down, nose in, use the rear end better. I have a fairly long old rope with clips on the end, and it looks much like Julie Goodnight's Elbow Pull bitting system. Well,,, It sort of works. Harley responded correctly at the walk, but failed again at the trot. I think he was "correct" for a stride or two going right, but that was it. Otherwise, he just lifted his head higher and found the wrong release. Grr! So, it's back to the drawing board, er, tack store catalogs, to figure out what else might work. I need to show him that "good" is head down, nose in. I don't expect him to hold it for hours, but I noticed last night he's getting muscles on the lower side of his neck, not on top. This needs improving. On the longe, his forward is FANTASTIC. He'll over stride at the walk, and he is tracking up nicely at the trot. His canter varies depending how early in the workout it is, as it starts out speedy and short, but he eases into a pretty graceful canter after a little while. However, the quicker gaits are all done with his neck up, nose out. Blech!
I changed his bit from longing french link to the Myler Combo, and walked him over to the mounting steps. Success! In less than two minutes, he was at the steps, and I was aboard. I then mentally prepared for what might come next. When I add leg to ask him to move on, will he burst away from the block, just stand there, or walk away quietly. Again, Success! Harley took about two gentle steps from the steps on a little leg pressure, and hesitated, as if to make sure I was really ready to move. I added leg, and he continued.
With a little walk, turn, and halt, he was responsive and paying attention. I got brave, and squeezed and clucked. Harley hopped up into his trot, and again hesitated, making sure he really did have the right answer. I trotted about a circle and a half, each direction, and found his trot to walk transition isn't the greatest. Ugh. If I sit deep, shift weight back, he drags his feet moving to walk. If I shift my weight forward a little and tip my pelvis behind me, he stops pretty quickly. Hmm.. I wonder where he learned that little habit, and how I might fix it.
So back to the walk we went, where I repeated walk/halt over and over and over, shifting my weight back, closing my knees, and then adding bit pressure. I decided to stop when I had about four in a row that were improved. Finished out the work with a little side to side flexion, and when I added pressure to both sides of the bit (closed both hands on the reins), he figeted a little before lowering his head, to which I immediately released all rein contact. It's not a miracle, but it's a start.
This means we're up to good solid walking work, and a little trotting under saddle again. It felt good. He isn't poking around like he was last year, so the longing work is helping. I do, however, need to set up some poles, cones, and solo rail razors around the arena, and begin work to improve his turns, moving him around things and over obstacles. It'll give us both something to think about, making the rides longer each time.
Monday, November 22, 2010
11-20-10 Ransom says, "Pfft, told ya so!"
I gathered Ransom up in all his parts & pieces, and off to the arena we went. He nudged me towards going down the road, but, given his last performance, he didn't need a break, he needed to work.
And work we did. He tried fighting just briefly on the longe line and side reins, before a few tug-backs, and some harsh words came from me. I wasn't tolerating it again. I even had to carry the longe whip, and push his feet to make him realize it was time to work.
After about 15 minutes, MisterLazyBritches was obeying stop, go, gait change, all relaxed. So I hopped on.
The ride? Phenominal. There were only a few ugly transitions, but overall, he worked up nicely. We danced together for nearly 35 minutes, when I glanced at my watch, summarized his work time in my head, and eased up to a good free walk. His trot felt very steady and forward, and the canter was awesome as always. There's still this pesky habit of wanting to come trot everytime I come out of free walk to working walk. hmPH! I don't remember starting that habit, but I better oughta break it before championships..
=) Good work, fine sir.. exactly what I know you're capable of.
And work we did. He tried fighting just briefly on the longe line and side reins, before a few tug-backs, and some harsh words came from me. I wasn't tolerating it again. I even had to carry the longe whip, and push his feet to make him realize it was time to work.
After about 15 minutes, MisterLazyBritches was obeying stop, go, gait change, all relaxed. So I hopped on.
The ride? Phenominal. There were only a few ugly transitions, but overall, he worked up nicely. We danced together for nearly 35 minutes, when I glanced at my watch, summarized his work time in my head, and eased up to a good free walk. His trot felt very steady and forward, and the canter was awesome as always. There's still this pesky habit of wanting to come trot everytime I come out of free walk to working walk. hmPH! I don't remember starting that habit, but I better oughta break it before championships..
=) Good work, fine sir.. exactly what I know you're capable of.
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