The Week of Intensity Continues
I set a goal this week of riding Rogo everyday and really focusing, focusing, focusing on our training goals. I've done everything I can think of to help us - videoing, longing, memorizing and riding tests with strategy, trying to ride every step, using half halts (he's just learning these), putting a strap on the front of my saddle to keep my outside rein steady when bending (I held it when necessary to keep from giving too much), exercising (for me), pushing a little harder / asking for a little more from both of us.
I see some improvements. We were almost there in some key areas so a real push helps to confirm it. I can't help feeling I'll jinx us if I write it, but I think our left bend has finally arrived to stay! It's been a marathon - for months it's come and gone, gotten confused, gotten tense, etc. Now he's going into the corners and bending through his body at the walk and trot, while staying soft.
His head is still high and stiff fairly frequently on the long side at the trot, but it's gotten better this week and I have to get my riding softer too, in order for him to relax. It's coming.
Cantering is improving. He's carrying it much better, although the transitions back slid a bit. The steering is coming too. He's doing 20 m circles, which he just started about 10 days ago. It won't be long before he'll be able to do a decent training level test.
I know a trainer would have had him here sooner, but we have a great bond, I've learned tons, and he's making progress, so I'm happy.
Cheryl didn't make it today because she had hay coming, so we re-scheduled for tomorrow. I longed Dan over cavelleti and he did well. Doug and Savanah had a lesson scheduled for tonight, but now it's raining. Glad I got my ride in early.Two more days left for my training blitz.
Comments
I always ride with a strap on the pommel of the saddle. It helps so much with getting a feeling for good contact. It's great for getting the horse to drive forward into the contact, too. If you're holding the strap you can't pull the horse into a frame, you have to push him.
A trainer at the show in Windsor NS told me about the strap on the pommel when I told her I was having trouble maintaining the correct contact on my outside rein to the left. I hadn't realized they could be used this way. It was awkward at first, but it really helped me get the correct feel for not giving away the outside (and thus having him turn his head out). I like your description of how it helps with driving into the contact instead of pulling into it. It's going to be a good tool for us.
Once you have this small loop in place, you can hang onto it with one or both hands, to keep your hands quiet and / or in a more fixed position. It will keep you from taking too much, or not taking enough.
For me, with Rogo, when we turned left I needed to hold the outside rein so that I could push him into it with my inside leg and get him to bend in the left corners or circles. Otherwise, if I gave with my outside hand he'd turn his head to the outside (more on this in a second). Without the strap, no matter how I tried, I always gave the outside rein too much - it's muscle memory and hard to shake. When I added the strap at first it felt strained and awkward, but fairly quickly I was able to do it more softly while still keeping a good hand position. Rogo responded by bending correctly and seemed to appreciate the security of knowing where the limits were. He actually got softer, as well as bending much better.
Back to the inside leg to outside rein and holding the outside - as you probably know, sometimes you have to give the outside as you take the inside. It all comes down to feel and the horse's level of training, etc. I'm not used to a horse who isn't trained and sometimes can't get the right 'feel', maybe because there isn't any yet :)
Hope this isn't too confusing or long. If I remember I'll take a picture of the saddle with my phone tomorrow and do a quick upload. It's dark and rainy now! It's worth a try if you're struggling with your hands.
"I know a trainer would have had him here sooner, but we have a great bond, I've learned tons, and he's making progress, so I'm happy."
I don't care that I'm coming along slowly. I'm doing the best I can with the time I have. In the process I'm learning so much and having a great time in the process!
I finally have a chance to catch up!
You have really been on your mark with diligence and good working rides there! Wow, very inspiring.
I did sign up for a lesson this coming Sunday..and will employ that strap idea..never heard of that but it makes total sense..hope I can do it right!I too give away the outside and straighten my elbow too much...been so long since I had a lesson...can't remember what side!
Love your work and descriptions! What a nice relationship you have with your Rogo!
KK
Thanks for all the comments. Good luck with the strap and hand position. Keep me posted on how it goes - I'll be checking your blogs!