Cantering, At Home September 2010

This isn't pretty riding, and Rogo's head is stuck out a mile, but in the interests of my video record, I'm posting it. For some reason I can't seem to upload videos to my Pictures and Videos page, so I have to post them here and then link the page.


Some videos I haven't gotten around to posting, and many I didn't post because I don't like my riding and, as I think happens with many people, we always did better when the camera wasn't running so I kept waiting for a better video. Now I realize if I don't post these videos I won't have any. I have to have something to look back on, and on the bright side, the crappier the old ones are, the more stunning my improvement will be :) right?

The disconcerting thing is though, that his canter hasn't improved over the winter and if anything is worse. He hasn't gotten nearly as much turn out as I'd like and I wonder if this can affect his balance - standing around in a stall all day? Also, the indoor is small, and perhaps that has an effect...
(We have speakers outside, and the radio was on, thus the music.)

Comments

Karen said…
Is this the "bad canter" you speak of? I think he has a really pleasant canter! It's a nice 3 beat, rhythmical canter. Yeah, so you have some balance issues. 100% normal for a horse of his age and stage of training! He will regain his strength from a winter let down - same thing happened with my boy. :)
Carol said…
Ha ha - so nice of you to say Karen. I'm more concerned with my stiff jerky hands than his canter, but it's easy to focus on the bad when watching a video of yourself :)
I do like Rogo's canter, and it's very nice of you to point out the good. We need lots of work on balance but it comes and goes and as you note he has a good foundation to build on. I think once we're outside again we'll make headway. Thanks!
Anonymous said…
I like his canter! He's adorable, a draft cross of some sort?
Carol said…
It's great that you ask. A lot of people think he's part Percheron and I can definitely see why, but he's actually 3/4 Hanoverian and 1/4 Thoroughbred. If you click on his name (in blue) in the blog summary on the right it will take you to his pedigree.
Dom said…
Every time I see you riding, I get so jealous of the view from that ring. Wow.
juliette said…
Carol - the canter looks happy to me! The view is amazing, the horse is amazing, you are so lucky!
Training a horse takes time and patience, especially young horses. You'll spend a lot of time thinking you're doing everything wrong and getting nowhere, then suddenly one day you'll get on and the horse will perform perfectly. That's just the nature of it. Keep doing what you're doing, it will come.

Relax your shoulders and elbows, the hands will follow. We all brace at the canter ;).
Jan said…
Carol, The video is great! You have great contact with the saddle, it looks wonderful! And Rogo looks great to me, a nice, balanced, good paced canter!
(But I know what you mean about confessing where we are, so that when we improve it in the future, we'll be thrilled! Thanks for being so genuine and honest!) LOL!
allhorsestuff said…
HI Carol...Great video!
Rogo is such a good boy!!We ALL have room to grow and improove, true!
I had a question about something I saw on your video...Is your emial on your site here...mine is on my profile.
I'd love to ask a question, but not on the comments.
KK
Jeni said…
That's good canter! What the heck you talking about? I won't even show Bonnie canter video it's BAD she is beyond crooked and unbalanced. But then again she's missing a piece of hip bone.
Rachel said…
Of course I'm not a dressage judge but I think his canter is cute!
Achieve1dream said…
Weird the video stopped working halfway through. :( I love that arena and view. Gorgeous. I'm beyond jealous lol. I think the canter looks great, but can't really comment on anything else that hasn't already been mentioned. I was just going to say relax too, but I'm sure you have since them. If that's when you first started cantering I can understand why you were tense lol. I would have been too.
Achieve1dream said…
Oh and I meant first started cantering Rogo, not first time cantering on any horse lol. I just realize how that sounded. Cantering a baby horse for the first time would make me tense too. :D
You guys look great Carol - a really nice pair :)

Thanks for sharing your video - I know how intomodated I was to post my own - but - first off we're all likely to be our own worst critics - and secondly it will be so much fun to look at again at the end of the summer and see how far our hard work has taken us!! Well done :)
That would be intimidated lol :)
I think you are too self-conscious, and self-critical...your riding looks GREAT to me!!! The camera does make one a bit off their game, but it doesn't show in your riding.
Carol said…
Thanks everyone for your very kind comments and suggestions. I'm off to the barn today and will now have a mental picture of softer hands and heels down.
Sarah said…
Oh Carol, you two are frigging adorable. Perfect? No, and no one is. Still, you two make a calm, relaxed, happy picture. I love it and good for you for being brave enough to post. The "flaws" you mentioned can be improved. Also, in my opinion, how a horse spends the 22 or so hours a day when we're not with them has a huge impact on how they work. Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous said…
Videos are great to have to look back on and see how we are improving. Thanks for sharing yours.