We went SJ-ies, and after his "flat as a pancake" attempt in our last lesson, I put him back in the treeless.
And we have out bounce back. It felt sooooo good! Yes its harder for me to stay strong in as the twist is wider and the stirrup bars are further back, but he jumps in it. Phew! And doesn't he ever? We had some proper catch the clouds moments, but new position I could feel we were catching the clouds and it felt great, not OMG.
The bit is still lovely, but we did have "issues" once in the ring as M decided he was mega tense (new venue for SJ etc etc), he jumped well to no 4, which was inoccuous planks, and backed off like he was going to stop, so got a slap.... big mistake cos then we were back to literal point and shoot, only he was pointing himself at the wrong fences in a panic.
Bless him, I need to be able to keep riding quieter, but he needs to choose to jump without making me feel he is about to dive out!
Overall, I was really pleased with me, really pleased that the jump is back, and just 100% committed to get the new relaxed stressage Magic to be the new relaxed SJ Magic, even in small arenas with spooky jumps!
The talent is all there, I can take it easy whilst we fine tune the coolness. If we'd been at an event, with more room, he'd have sailed round without the tense "I need to jump everything" being a problem , cos we wouldn't have lined up for anything else....
Dan, needless to say, was a star. He warmed up for the 2'9" like a pro, soooo relaxed, then went in, and ran past the first fence in a WTF kinda way, then went, ooooh, we SJing, Dan's dooooo SJing.... and off they sailed round in a lovely rhythm for a clear (bar the hiccup at the first). It was a tight course and they made it look easy. (Meanwhile M was very good, standing in trailer alone, then tied to trailer alone - what a professional partier he is, even in company!) Dan went in again for the 3', but was a bit blaze and rolled 3. Very relaxed and chilled, and tried really hard in the first round. P rode fab and they both had a great time!
Meanwhile, at home, Max is looking great so will get on and ride him some more again, and Tig needs another trim - the horse that doesn't grow foot and his are the fastest growing of all of them now!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
RC lesson
Oh boy, am I going to ache!
I was determined to use this lesson to "crack" the rising on Magic. I managed to blag leaving my stirrups short in order to be able to rise.
As we warmed up I did walk/halt/walk/slow-walk etc, and he listened pretty well. Then we got trotting (I guess we probably did about 40mins of the whole hr lesson in trot, with not much of a break in between!).
I found I could rise to the top, but not pause... or at least I could, but I had to focus 100% on it and generally I had to "have" him to get the pause, and then could keep him with the pause, so similar to Sunday, needed contact to get him to listen, then pause to keep him there.
I tired very quickly though and had to think narrow, light feet and big rise constantly!
He, on the other hand, was long in the frame, out on the contact, permanently round. My hands just stayed where they were, my legs never touched him, and he was sooooo much more relaxed.... I think he feels I've been shouting at him with my constant hand and leg riding. Now he offers the contact he's happy with, and I don't need any leg at all!
He worked really hard throughout the session, stepping through, round and balanced, and I never really thought about him at all! So in a lot of ways I am doing a lot less, but from a physical point of view my thighs, pelvis and core muscles are all very hard at work! Good old gym is paying off in spades, not least because its taught me that I can go past the "burn" and still continue and I won't fall in a heap!
Generally, right rein was easy, he waits for me, I can rise, pause and sit, he stays soft and round and is malleable and straight and rhythmical. Left rein, work in progress! He tries to run, I lose balance (although not visibly, I can at least now feel it!), so then he does run, and then I have to pull reins to slow as having lost balance I can't get to top of rise.
So on the left rein, I need to keep even contact, and be prepared to lift hands (to slow him without shortening his neck or me pulling back!) and then big rise/pause combo, and then he's waiting and as long as I continue to rise properly and pause, then I can keep him without more rein. Hard not to lose my weight onto my left foot. Its amazing what I can feel now that I couldn't before....
I have to say, although it was killing me, it was easier in a group lesson as I could sort of forget where I was going etc and knew if we were in a rhythm because of where the others were.
Steering, was amazing. Granted, there was generally a horse 1/4 circuit in front of us so he had a clue, but we had to do 10m loops on long side, with opposing circle in middle of loop (so to track) and other horses all going otherway, or finishing circle and going off in front of us when we needed to turn off, and it was like he was on a railway track. I positioned seatbones and shoulders to outside, and we turned. Jobs a good un! I never touched rein or leg, totally amazing.
I definately struggle to face the right on left rein, my left shoulder is naturally forward, but it doesn't take my hip with me so I actually have to feel like I go squiffy to get it. Fortunately, Magic now understands and is letting me off for my moderate incompetence!
Then we did leg yield. Whilst in walk I tried to figure it out logically.... I know he finds it easy, but I also know that the more recent lateral work I've done, he's been quite one sided (for him).
So my aids for leg yield ( need to check they are right!) - turn 3/4 line, have him straight with tiny inside bend, narrow inside board a lot so inside seatbone goes nearer spine. Bingo. We leg yield! Just like that!! Really big even steps over too.
Then into trot and she wanted sitting trot (gulp)... we rose all the way round, got to 3/4 line and turned, got straight, went sitting (narrow boards and sternum down and back boards down and pray!) and then narrowed my inside board, and away he went! Now I understand how you can ride with no leg, my leg never did more than breath on his side all lesson!!
Both ways equally good, then we had to get canter from the leg yield at B ish, he got wrong leg first time but every other time was right, but it felt like a big 'open' trans, not a nice powerhouse one. And downwards ones were running, probably cos his upward one had been a run too.
Then canter on a circle, the canter was ok, but not as good as sunday, and I struggled to sit it as well as I have been, maybe cos I was tired from all the trot? And the downward trans were just collapses. But as we haven't yet done canter, I'm allowed to not have that perfected yet, huh?
Overall, an amazing session. I learnt so much from just getting on with it and carrying on with it, where usually I would stop, assess, think, re organise and go again. Memo to self, sometimes you just have to get it back, not just maintain it or I'm never going to learn how to get it back!
When I got off I thought my knees would give way on landing, but funnily enough they feel ok now. Shoulders feel a bit stretched, think its partly gym and partly me focusing so hard on sternum down and bum under to come up to rise.... but the biggest thing? I can feel my core muscles... my abs HURT when I yawn, sneeze, laugh, cough.... YEY! I've actually worked my abs whilst riding, not just when at the gym, hooray!!
I hope we going jumpies on Sunday, I may put him back in the fhoenix....
I was determined to use this lesson to "crack" the rising on Magic. I managed to blag leaving my stirrups short in order to be able to rise.
As we warmed up I did walk/halt/walk/slow-walk etc, and he listened pretty well. Then we got trotting (I guess we probably did about 40mins of the whole hr lesson in trot, with not much of a break in between!).
I found I could rise to the top, but not pause... or at least I could, but I had to focus 100% on it and generally I had to "have" him to get the pause, and then could keep him with the pause, so similar to Sunday, needed contact to get him to listen, then pause to keep him there.
I tired very quickly though and had to think narrow, light feet and big rise constantly!
He, on the other hand, was long in the frame, out on the contact, permanently round. My hands just stayed where they were, my legs never touched him, and he was sooooo much more relaxed.... I think he feels I've been shouting at him with my constant hand and leg riding. Now he offers the contact he's happy with, and I don't need any leg at all!
He worked really hard throughout the session, stepping through, round and balanced, and I never really thought about him at all! So in a lot of ways I am doing a lot less, but from a physical point of view my thighs, pelvis and core muscles are all very hard at work! Good old gym is paying off in spades, not least because its taught me that I can go past the "burn" and still continue and I won't fall in a heap!
Generally, right rein was easy, he waits for me, I can rise, pause and sit, he stays soft and round and is malleable and straight and rhythmical. Left rein, work in progress! He tries to run, I lose balance (although not visibly, I can at least now feel it!), so then he does run, and then I have to pull reins to slow as having lost balance I can't get to top of rise.
So on the left rein, I need to keep even contact, and be prepared to lift hands (to slow him without shortening his neck or me pulling back!) and then big rise/pause combo, and then he's waiting and as long as I continue to rise properly and pause, then I can keep him without more rein. Hard not to lose my weight onto my left foot. Its amazing what I can feel now that I couldn't before....
I have to say, although it was killing me, it was easier in a group lesson as I could sort of forget where I was going etc and knew if we were in a rhythm because of where the others were.
Steering, was amazing. Granted, there was generally a horse 1/4 circuit in front of us so he had a clue, but we had to do 10m loops on long side, with opposing circle in middle of loop (so to track) and other horses all going otherway, or finishing circle and going off in front of us when we needed to turn off, and it was like he was on a railway track. I positioned seatbones and shoulders to outside, and we turned. Jobs a good un! I never touched rein or leg, totally amazing.
I definately struggle to face the right on left rein, my left shoulder is naturally forward, but it doesn't take my hip with me so I actually have to feel like I go squiffy to get it. Fortunately, Magic now understands and is letting me off for my moderate incompetence!
Then we did leg yield. Whilst in walk I tried to figure it out logically.... I know he finds it easy, but I also know that the more recent lateral work I've done, he's been quite one sided (for him).
So my aids for leg yield ( need to check they are right!) - turn 3/4 line, have him straight with tiny inside bend, narrow inside board a lot so inside seatbone goes nearer spine. Bingo. We leg yield! Just like that!! Really big even steps over too.
Then into trot and she wanted sitting trot (gulp)... we rose all the way round, got to 3/4 line and turned, got straight, went sitting (narrow boards and sternum down and back boards down and pray!) and then narrowed my inside board, and away he went! Now I understand how you can ride with no leg, my leg never did more than breath on his side all lesson!!
Both ways equally good, then we had to get canter from the leg yield at B ish, he got wrong leg first time but every other time was right, but it felt like a big 'open' trans, not a nice powerhouse one. And downwards ones were running, probably cos his upward one had been a run too.
Then canter on a circle, the canter was ok, but not as good as sunday, and I struggled to sit it as well as I have been, maybe cos I was tired from all the trot? And the downward trans were just collapses. But as we haven't yet done canter, I'm allowed to not have that perfected yet, huh?
Overall, an amazing session. I learnt so much from just getting on with it and carrying on with it, where usually I would stop, assess, think, re organise and go again. Memo to self, sometimes you just have to get it back, not just maintain it or I'm never going to learn how to get it back!
When I got off I thought my knees would give way on landing, but funnily enough they feel ok now. Shoulders feel a bit stretched, think its partly gym and partly me focusing so hard on sternum down and bum under to come up to rise.... but the biggest thing? I can feel my core muscles... my abs HURT when I yawn, sneeze, laugh, cough.... YEY! I've actually worked my abs whilst riding, not just when at the gym, hooray!!
I hope we going jumpies on Sunday, I may put him back in the fhoenix....
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Dressage....
I was pretty sure I wasn't ready for this! But it was N21, a test that has died but I like, and P wanted to take Dan for some practice.
Dan did P13 and warmed up really nicely, canter looked much more relaxed and it all seemed to be going well considering a new venue. Then he went into do his test in new spooky arena and was very tense. But still, there were loads of positives. I just wish he didn't have to make life so hard on himself doing new things.
We went in to warm up at same time as Dan (over an hour before my time!) and we did 10/15 mins on walk/halt/walk and MY walk not his. All went very well. He was hollow and looky, but was doing as told so ignored it.
I put him back in the myler, but its not the rockin s! He was back to trying to snatch the reins from my hands as soon as I picked them up. Hopefully, the way I rode today (or tried to!) convinced him a little more that I am TRYING not to ride from the hand.
Then I attempted a trot. There were mirrors which was fab! Right rein trot was perfect, I did it right, he waited for me, was round, long necked, I was light handed to prove I wasn't holding the trot. Left rein? oops. It appears I can't do it on Magic on the left rein. Or at least, not in an arena and not when not in the rockin s!
We practiced. We got better. Left rein MUCH harder, I have to think very narrow and very off the foot and then very big rise and very big pause. In his defence, when I could GET to the point of pausing, he waited, but that was maybe one stride per circle? As a dressage test was looming, I worked a compromised where if he went to run I'd half halt with body but retaining firm hand until he came back to me, then release and concentrate on rise whilst waiting to see if he'd wait. This worked.... may be a way of helping it become more concrete for both of us. Only needed it on the left rein though.
Plus when walking, he wasn't bulging out on left rein, but on right! And when I tried to do square corners he led with the quarters right. And he was a bit the same in the test. It might be me over compensating, or it might be him/saddle whatever. Chiro is out next week so will see how he is then.
Overall warm up so far fabby. He was very relaxed, and seemed actually happy to be there! I think he likes me having too much to concentrate on!
Did a bit of canter, which felt a bit laboured, not quite 3 time (esp right rein) and I had to do trans out of diagonal and rein back to get him listening to me. Overall, canter much better, I don't have to control or round him from my hands, but it didn't seem quite a "Magic" canter.
Then stopped as Dan finished his test and we had a rest.
Then we went in for ours. It was a very spooky arena, and although he looked, and bent the wrong way, he was very settled. Went in and just wanted to concentrate on my rising. I succeeded in concentrating on it! But it wasn't brilliant.... I could feel from time to time my feet coming forwards, all the weight going in them, then having to hold the contact to stop him running on.
However, I felt it, big plus, I managed to half halt from seat and pause in rise quite a few times, so although I couldn't maintain it the whole time (hardly surprising on my 4th go!) it was ok.
The biggest plus was the canter was just fab. I though back corners and sternum and he did a lovely light canter circle on a light contact.... no falling out either way. Dead dead chuffed.
Then back for a medium trot - I managed to collect him the corner before (a bit like jumping, I just managed to get him back BEFORE something, but not after something or heaven forbid, during!) and as I turned I got my rising spot on.... then went for bigger trot and he gave me a lovely medium..... but the BESTIST bit, as I wanted smaller trot at the corner, I paused at the top of my rise, and BINGO he came back to me (almost a bit much!) with no hand and NO loss of balance to forehand. I nearly fell off there and then. My goodness this stuff WORKS!!!!
Came out very pleased. First test in ages, new spooky venue, new relaxed pony who does his bit whilst I concentrate on the million and one things I need to! I didn't even beat myself up that I couldn't maintain the rise the whole time. I was knackered though. Canter was such a breather!
Oh, and the best free walk ever probably too.
He got very good comments, whole test was 7s, except two 6s for canter across diagonal where I let him break early (I need to learn how to do canter/trot trans as back corners not enough!), and two 8s for both canter circles. So for the first time ever, what I felt was happening, got marked the same by the judge, unbelieveable! So 70%.
I am just so pleased that he was sooo relaxed in this new way of going, and I was able to concentrate on my bits, even in a test! Watching him in the mirrors warming up, his neck is much longer already, granted better on right rein, but its also longer in canter which I didn't feel it was. Plus its odd that warm up canter felt four time, but canters in the test were just fab.
Flat lesson on Tues, so more practice then!
Dan did P13 and warmed up really nicely, canter looked much more relaxed and it all seemed to be going well considering a new venue. Then he went into do his test in new spooky arena and was very tense. But still, there were loads of positives. I just wish he didn't have to make life so hard on himself doing new things.
We went in to warm up at same time as Dan (over an hour before my time!) and we did 10/15 mins on walk/halt/walk and MY walk not his. All went very well. He was hollow and looky, but was doing as told so ignored it.
I put him back in the myler, but its not the rockin s! He was back to trying to snatch the reins from my hands as soon as I picked them up. Hopefully, the way I rode today (or tried to!) convinced him a little more that I am TRYING not to ride from the hand.
Then I attempted a trot. There were mirrors which was fab! Right rein trot was perfect, I did it right, he waited for me, was round, long necked, I was light handed to prove I wasn't holding the trot. Left rein? oops. It appears I can't do it on Magic on the left rein. Or at least, not in an arena and not when not in the rockin s!
We practiced. We got better. Left rein MUCH harder, I have to think very narrow and very off the foot and then very big rise and very big pause. In his defence, when I could GET to the point of pausing, he waited, but that was maybe one stride per circle? As a dressage test was looming, I worked a compromised where if he went to run I'd half halt with body but retaining firm hand until he came back to me, then release and concentrate on rise whilst waiting to see if he'd wait. This worked.... may be a way of helping it become more concrete for both of us. Only needed it on the left rein though.
Plus when walking, he wasn't bulging out on left rein, but on right! And when I tried to do square corners he led with the quarters right. And he was a bit the same in the test. It might be me over compensating, or it might be him/saddle whatever. Chiro is out next week so will see how he is then.
Overall warm up so far fabby. He was very relaxed, and seemed actually happy to be there! I think he likes me having too much to concentrate on!
Did a bit of canter, which felt a bit laboured, not quite 3 time (esp right rein) and I had to do trans out of diagonal and rein back to get him listening to me. Overall, canter much better, I don't have to control or round him from my hands, but it didn't seem quite a "Magic" canter.
Then stopped as Dan finished his test and we had a rest.
Then we went in for ours. It was a very spooky arena, and although he looked, and bent the wrong way, he was very settled. Went in and just wanted to concentrate on my rising. I succeeded in concentrating on it! But it wasn't brilliant.... I could feel from time to time my feet coming forwards, all the weight going in them, then having to hold the contact to stop him running on.
However, I felt it, big plus, I managed to half halt from seat and pause in rise quite a few times, so although I couldn't maintain it the whole time (hardly surprising on my 4th go!) it was ok.
The biggest plus was the canter was just fab. I though back corners and sternum and he did a lovely light canter circle on a light contact.... no falling out either way. Dead dead chuffed.
Then back for a medium trot - I managed to collect him the corner before (a bit like jumping, I just managed to get him back BEFORE something, but not after something or heaven forbid, during!) and as I turned I got my rising spot on.... then went for bigger trot and he gave me a lovely medium..... but the BESTIST bit, as I wanted smaller trot at the corner, I paused at the top of my rise, and BINGO he came back to me (almost a bit much!) with no hand and NO loss of balance to forehand. I nearly fell off there and then. My goodness this stuff WORKS!!!!
Came out very pleased. First test in ages, new spooky venue, new relaxed pony who does his bit whilst I concentrate on the million and one things I need to! I didn't even beat myself up that I couldn't maintain the rise the whole time. I was knackered though. Canter was such a breather!
Oh, and the best free walk ever probably too.
He got very good comments, whole test was 7s, except two 6s for canter across diagonal where I let him break early (I need to learn how to do canter/trot trans as back corners not enough!), and two 8s for both canter circles. So for the first time ever, what I felt was happening, got marked the same by the judge, unbelieveable! So 70%.
I am just so pleased that he was sooo relaxed in this new way of going, and I was able to concentrate on my bits, even in a test! Watching him in the mirrors warming up, his neck is much longer already, granted better on right rein, but its also longer in canter which I didn't feel it was. Plus its odd that warm up canter felt four time, but canters in the test were just fab.
Flat lesson on Tues, so more practice then!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Goodbye Ben.
I couldn't post this for quite a while. But we lost Ben on 18th April 2009.
He ate his breakfast fine, then went back out and lay down (unusual). After an hour of watching him, I got the vet, who thought it was mild colic. I did say how brave and stoical he was..... She gave him all the drugs, and left as there was no sign of any impaction or twist or anything. After a while, the drugs hadn't touched him and he was getting distressed. She came back and gave him more drugs, tried everything but nothing touched his discomfort. He lay down on the front grass by the big bush and we put him to sleep. She thought it was lipomas far forward in his guts that had wrapped around them.He was as brave as a lion and as dignified as ever right to the end.
I miss him so much, the old beggar.
He gave us twenty years of fun and love. No one could ask for more of a horse than he gave us. He touched so many lives and I am proud and honoured that he spent his life with us.
Handing it out to them 
Doing the showing thing (yawn)
April 2009 and as well as ever
Best mates
As he touched so many people on his journey, here is a selection of what's been said about him:
"He was brave and well loved"
"So sorry to hear that, I know how much you loved the old sod"
"He was a fantastic character, I will miss him."
"He's been a good servant to a lot of jockeys and you're all going to miss him."
"Dear Ben, he was a one off! Good times were had."
"He was very special on numerous ways!"
"He's a big space to fill, it sounds corny but it was a real pleasure knowing him."
Sleep well big fella.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Practice makes perfect,
oh, how I wish.
According to my horse, I am now officially mad.
Friday, we went hacking alone (thank goodness!) and I made him walk MY speed (ie has to be slow at the mo or I loose him!) nearly all the way. Sometimes on the buckle (tres hard!) and sometimes in a contact.
Lots of halt/walk/halt correctly, but because we were hacking he felt like he should walk off again every time we halted, so we dealt with that with a step back if he stepped forward and he soon worked it out. I did two trots. It was HARD. I felt like I was getting it, and he WAS waiting for me, but it was soo sooo hard.
I still can't really get to the top of the rise, but when I manage it and pause, then he DOES instantly wait for me, so worth doing! At one point I felt myself 'lose' it and then he shot off from under me and into my hand the second later. Amazing, the first time I've felt on HIM how I affect him, and how I make him be this "running off yet behind leg" creature.
He was very long suffering and I honestly think he's beginning to realise that when I "get" this, his life is going to be sooo much nicer.
The bit is just fantastic too. Can't get over how light yet in my hand he is. There's no snatching AT ALL and even if I make him do slow walk from seat in short rein he is munchy but not snatchy and desperate to jag reins back down. Brilliant.
In regards to actually doing it, I have to imagine knees up not thighs squeeze in, if squeeze in makes back corners down nearly impossible. This was a revelation, doh! That applies to all transitions. I actually think I need to go back to thinking narrow, back corners, sternum down and that's it.
We came home, pretty happy actually! Even when something scared him behind him, I asked him to stop without changing contact and he did! Oh, that was in the treeless. I found I had much more room to move in it (took the knee rolls off it too). But its harder to be narrow without squeezing as its so squidgy.
Then Saturday we rode in the top field. More practice. In the isabell. Its too deep and tight in the seat. I put my stirrups up another hole, which helped, but it doesn't help me overall. But, it is easier to do narrow in, BUT he's not as responsive to back corners down. Sigh. More time dabbling with each I think. I'm invisaging that when I can do it, it won't matter as much which I sit on....!
So we did more trot. I got it more often and it was easier to keep than hacking when he has much more of a "lets get on with it" attitude. Even when trotting down hill I kept him from my seat, whooohooo. But I only managed a few circles each way, and a long trot all the way up the field each time.
Again, when I slightly lose it, he just starts to run and I only feel the run and want to strengthen the hand, rather than feeling me losing it. When I REALLY lose it I can feel it and he shows me. So I need to get more focussed on as soon as he rushes, pause at the top. I could feel myself that as soon as he rushed I wanted to do less rise, stick bum out behind me and hollow back, aaarrrgggh. So back corners, sternum down and bounce, pause, catch works! It's just getting it automatic that is going to take time!
Had a little canter each way and my oh my its improving.... with no work!! Hurrah!
According to my horse, I am now officially mad.
Friday, we went hacking alone (thank goodness!) and I made him walk MY speed (ie has to be slow at the mo or I loose him!) nearly all the way. Sometimes on the buckle (tres hard!) and sometimes in a contact.
Lots of halt/walk/halt correctly, but because we were hacking he felt like he should walk off again every time we halted, so we dealt with that with a step back if he stepped forward and he soon worked it out. I did two trots. It was HARD. I felt like I was getting it, and he WAS waiting for me, but it was soo sooo hard.
I still can't really get to the top of the rise, but when I manage it and pause, then he DOES instantly wait for me, so worth doing! At one point I felt myself 'lose' it and then he shot off from under me and into my hand the second later. Amazing, the first time I've felt on HIM how I affect him, and how I make him be this "running off yet behind leg" creature.
He was very long suffering and I honestly think he's beginning to realise that when I "get" this, his life is going to be sooo much nicer.
The bit is just fantastic too. Can't get over how light yet in my hand he is. There's no snatching AT ALL and even if I make him do slow walk from seat in short rein he is munchy but not snatchy and desperate to jag reins back down. Brilliant.
In regards to actually doing it, I have to imagine knees up not thighs squeeze in, if squeeze in makes back corners down nearly impossible. This was a revelation, doh! That applies to all transitions. I actually think I need to go back to thinking narrow, back corners, sternum down and that's it.
We came home, pretty happy actually! Even when something scared him behind him, I asked him to stop without changing contact and he did! Oh, that was in the treeless. I found I had much more room to move in it (took the knee rolls off it too). But its harder to be narrow without squeezing as its so squidgy.
Then Saturday we rode in the top field. More practice. In the isabell. Its too deep and tight in the seat. I put my stirrups up another hole, which helped, but it doesn't help me overall. But, it is easier to do narrow in, BUT he's not as responsive to back corners down. Sigh. More time dabbling with each I think. I'm invisaging that when I can do it, it won't matter as much which I sit on....!
So we did more trot. I got it more often and it was easier to keep than hacking when he has much more of a "lets get on with it" attitude. Even when trotting down hill I kept him from my seat, whooohooo. But I only managed a few circles each way, and a long trot all the way up the field each time.
Again, when I slightly lose it, he just starts to run and I only feel the run and want to strengthen the hand, rather than feeling me losing it. When I REALLY lose it I can feel it and he shows me. So I need to get more focussed on as soon as he rushes, pause at the top. I could feel myself that as soon as he rushed I wanted to do less rise, stick bum out behind me and hollow back, aaarrrgggh. So back corners, sternum down and bounce, pause, catch works! It's just getting it automatic that is going to take time!
Had a little canter each way and my oh my its improving.... with no work!! Hurrah!
Its only taken 30 odd years....
But I think I might just be about to work out how to rise to the trot!!
Lesson today. Not the cleverest idea - jumpies lesson yesterday, my lesson today... could I walk without the John Wayne look? So I gymed this morning, thinking it would loosen me up.... it did, but not enough!
So, we managed to spend most of 45 minutes in rising trot, wooohooo! And for the first time ever, I felt my brain was cooked and I had what I needed to do cracked 5 minutes before the end of the lesson (usually am still in " I can't quite do it" mode!)
So, how do I need to rise to the trot? Firstly. I need to NOT hollow back as I sit. In trying to take hips forward more, I then take it all back too hollow to sit. And now I'm allowed to sit up straight, rather than feeling like leaning forward (weird as I spent all up til last year being told to lean back!), I'm falling into the lean back when bogged-off with trap again.
K explained that if I hollow and stick my tummy out, then so will horse, it doesn't matter who starts it, I'm the only one who can finish it.... hmmm. all well and good, but not as easy as it sounds. Fortunately I was on the lovely Golly who is just the best teacher, I can get it right (ish) on him, he'll tell me when I'm not, then I can go practice on Magic.......
So:
Walk - back corners down - all good to go. Connection good, feel like coiling a spring. Contact good. Steering fine as long as straight neck, narrow boards.
Indian bridle - a twig in mouth and reins, if you drop the reins then the bit falls out of mouth!
Trot - however hard I think I'm pushing my hips forward, when I look in the mirror I'm still doing this amazingly weedy rise, its soooooo frustrating. So I trotted both ways trying bigger/up rise, remembering my shirt tails. As I try harder and harder, my weight was pushing into my feet.
Stopped to reconsider. Discussed if I should worry about weight coming into feet. 80% in thigh, 20% in foot. That made me feel better. Then K said I'm not going to get anything further til I get the rise. So forget about weighting my feet now, we can deal with that once the hips are fixed (ie mended, not literally!). Trotted a bit more. Still can't do it. Can kind of do it if I stand up for extra beat each time, but not just up down. Walk again. K shows me how I'm currently rising - with very hollow sit, and then trying to take hips wildly forward. Not very attractive but made me laugh. We discussed front tendons again - I can now pop them WITHOUT tensing my bum muscles, hurrah. Then we discussed not hollowing.
Imagery for rising trot is 2 people hitting a ball to each other, bounce, catch, bounce, catch, etc. If playing "nicely" both will keep similar rhythm and hit it to easy place for other - when rising to trot, I may try to bounce, catch slow, but then horse bounce, catches fast and I have to speed up with him. This is Magic to a tee. So I need to slow it down my way. And rather than just hit the ball slower, I need to keep it in my hand longer, THEN send it slower....
So then this is my new mantra for trot.....
* Stack up!
* Front string must be shorter than back
* Sternum must feel like I'm pushing it straight down
* Rise hips forward and up to max - hold there.
* Bounce - Pause - Catch - Bounce - Pause -Catch
* Narrow boards, left/right AND front/back (L/R pretty good, F/B rubbish, eg string and sternum)
* THEN even weight in stirrup is easy!
* Then can rise to top and Pause, to hold trot rhythm before sitting in balance.
*Don't hollow to sit.
* Don't put back corners down much to sit, as too much makes me round and behind the movement.
* shoulders should slightly lead when sitting, but with neutral spine so no hollowing... hips should almost lead when in rise.
* imagine hips to between hands to pause at top
* hands attached to front tendons - push hands towards ears and this "pops" front tendons too
* if the horse runs - sternum DOWN and hold pause at top of rise, do not pull back with hands.
And I got it. Many many times on both reins. Left rein was harder til I got this mantra (sternum!) but then as easy. He was light, and waiting. I lost it from time to time but could get it back with sternum and pause. Amazing feeling. I could push hands forward, keep contact, strengthen contact and none of it made any difference, the contact really WAS like holding his hand.
And we got the best ever trot/walk trans cos I'd REALLY got him and he couldn't dive behind me.
Bloomin brilliant.
Now just watch this space as I try it with the bouncy castle pone!!
*
Lesson today. Not the cleverest idea - jumpies lesson yesterday, my lesson today... could I walk without the John Wayne look? So I gymed this morning, thinking it would loosen me up.... it did, but not enough!
So, we managed to spend most of 45 minutes in rising trot, wooohooo! And for the first time ever, I felt my brain was cooked and I had what I needed to do cracked 5 minutes before the end of the lesson (usually am still in " I can't quite do it" mode!)
So, how do I need to rise to the trot? Firstly. I need to NOT hollow back as I sit. In trying to take hips forward more, I then take it all back too hollow to sit. And now I'm allowed to sit up straight, rather than feeling like leaning forward (weird as I spent all up til last year being told to lean back!), I'm falling into the lean back when bogged-off with trap again.
K explained that if I hollow and stick my tummy out, then so will horse, it doesn't matter who starts it, I'm the only one who can finish it.... hmmm. all well and good, but not as easy as it sounds. Fortunately I was on the lovely Golly who is just the best teacher, I can get it right (ish) on him, he'll tell me when I'm not, then I can go practice on Magic.......
So:
Walk - back corners down - all good to go. Connection good, feel like coiling a spring. Contact good. Steering fine as long as straight neck, narrow boards.
Indian bridle - a twig in mouth and reins, if you drop the reins then the bit falls out of mouth!
Trot - however hard I think I'm pushing my hips forward, when I look in the mirror I'm still doing this amazingly weedy rise, its soooooo frustrating. So I trotted both ways trying bigger/up rise, remembering my shirt tails. As I try harder and harder, my weight was pushing into my feet.
Stopped to reconsider. Discussed if I should worry about weight coming into feet. 80% in thigh, 20% in foot. That made me feel better. Then K said I'm not going to get anything further til I get the rise. So forget about weighting my feet now, we can deal with that once the hips are fixed (ie mended, not literally!). Trotted a bit more. Still can't do it. Can kind of do it if I stand up for extra beat each time, but not just up down. Walk again. K shows me how I'm currently rising - with very hollow sit, and then trying to take hips wildly forward. Not very attractive but made me laugh. We discussed front tendons again - I can now pop them WITHOUT tensing my bum muscles, hurrah. Then we discussed not hollowing.
Imagery for rising trot is 2 people hitting a ball to each other, bounce, catch, bounce, catch, etc. If playing "nicely" both will keep similar rhythm and hit it to easy place for other - when rising to trot, I may try to bounce, catch slow, but then horse bounce, catches fast and I have to speed up with him. This is Magic to a tee. So I need to slow it down my way. And rather than just hit the ball slower, I need to keep it in my hand longer, THEN send it slower....
So then this is my new mantra for trot.....
* Stack up!
* Front string must be shorter than back
* Sternum must feel like I'm pushing it straight down
* Rise hips forward and up to max - hold there.
* Bounce - Pause - Catch - Bounce - Pause -Catch
* Narrow boards, left/right AND front/back (L/R pretty good, F/B rubbish, eg string and sternum)
* THEN even weight in stirrup is easy!
* Then can rise to top and Pause, to hold trot rhythm before sitting in balance.
*Don't hollow to sit.
* Don't put back corners down much to sit, as too much makes me round and behind the movement.
* shoulders should slightly lead when sitting, but with neutral spine so no hollowing... hips should almost lead when in rise.
* imagine hips to between hands to pause at top
* hands attached to front tendons - push hands towards ears and this "pops" front tendons too
* if the horse runs - sternum DOWN and hold pause at top of rise, do not pull back with hands.
And I got it. Many many times on both reins. Left rein was harder til I got this mantra (sternum!) but then as easy. He was light, and waiting. I lost it from time to time but could get it back with sternum and pause. Amazing feeling. I could push hands forward, keep contact, strengthen contact and none of it made any difference, the contact really WAS like holding his hand.
And we got the best ever trot/walk trans cos I'd REALLY got him and he couldn't dive behind me.
Bloomin brilliant.
Now just watch this space as I try it with the bouncy castle pone!!
*
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Flying lessons.....
Jumpies lesson! And that was P and I, rather than ponies..... neither of us actually went splat, but we both had a near miss and I swear I only stayed on by the skin of my teeth!
We started off and Magic was in his new bit (Rockin S). Its really nice and seems to give me plenty of brakes but he's REALLY accepting of it. Chews it a lot, but he does that with all of them.
Its really nice to jump in, he never took me on into a fence, until right near the end when it was getting complicated AND he was tiring. So we jumped the first few and then some lines and combos and he was just perfect.
He started to run on a bit on water tray double to tight dogleg to triple bar. Fortunately B saw the issue and got me to halt as soon as possible after the water tray (that'd be in the next county then?). Round again and he told me to do it EVERY time he sets off against me. So that, added to the corners thing from M will really polish up the inbetween bits. Round and did the whole thing and much more civilised. If he's waiting for me, or comes back to me, then I HAVE to sit quiet and not interfere.... whoops, harder than it looks! When will I learn? Then I fiddle and get him too deep and too underpowered and he has a job.
Meanwhile, Dan and P were doing it all perfectly, including the treble, the doglegs, you name it.
Then we had a corner to a skinny of 2 piles of tyres..... P wanted to do it straight away, I suggested maybe break it down, and B even offered it.... any how, Dan decided Dan's don't do corners.... they run down the front and jump off the edge at the corner. Lots. Did it and then straight onto tyres, ran out the first time, then did it with rails either side ok. Jumped the whole combination a few more times, one memorable one with no stirrups from the corner to the far end of the school - plenty muchly stickability over skinny tyres with no stirrups!!
Magic's go - jumped the corner, went to duck right at skinny, then I held him so last minute he straightened left and stopped and I was gone over his right shoulder.... he started turning left as I was pulling the rein and I had my knee and elbow over him, that's all. The gym is definately helping cos I regained balance and pushed up on my new found upper body strength against his VERY strong neck (thank goodness!) and stayed on. Immediately did turny thing (how professional!!!). Popped straight over it.
Next time in he was running scared mode, knew he had to jump it but only on his terms (eg against hand and with me as passenger). A few more times and I started to get control back and we got through it perfectly. Then the other way skinny first. It was a long 3 or a short 4. Jumped into skinny nice and quiet, then landed and ran. I just pointed at corner and little devil went LEFT. Unheard of. More turnys. Round again and he popped through nicely.
Its a vicious circle, he's scared of something, so he runs, I then am passanger and can't steer or MAKE him do it, he can then run out. Or I hold him too short and tight (like at corner XC) and he can't make it anyway as have killed the power. Hopefully one day he will be confident enough to do whatever!
On the plus side he hasn't had a B lesson for a good 6 months and we did non stop jumpies for an hour. He coped very well. B was very complimentary about him despite the hiccups, and as usual said I need the run outs for training, he's got to stay calm AND jump, its not one or other.
Also, he water trayed beautifully and never ballooned them. I rode in the wintec and it was interesting that he was back to struggling with distances being too long for him again, which he hasn't done for years, so maybe it is restricting shoulders and I need to go treeless again. Tis much easier to jump him treed though!
Flying changes worked today too, or at least right to left did, still not so easy left to right....
We finished with a course and I remembered my corners, and to be QUIET when he was balanced into fences and he was spot on accurate. Very very pleased.
The bit is a bit of a revelation, I know we've been working on him not towing me in, but today he was soooo soft and light in my hand yet still in a contact, he was happy to BE in a contact and I never felt like he was over bitted and he never dropped behind vertical. Hopefully he stays this happy in it!
Dan's course was PERFECT up til the corner combo, where B had widened it for Magic and Dan said no and had lots of turnies. He'd had enough really, but had to learn he couldn't say no. P had some more needing superglue moments as the little sod goes to take off, then jumps out the side of the wing as he takes off. But he did the whole combination twice without issue at the end.
It was hard work for all of us. Dan will have learnt a lot from it. Magic is just a star and B asked to check I still thought he was wonderful, Yes, of course I do!!! Even if he is harder work even when good than most the others!
They came home and had treat of front grass.
Stressage on sunday....
We started off and Magic was in his new bit (Rockin S). Its really nice and seems to give me plenty of brakes but he's REALLY accepting of it. Chews it a lot, but he does that with all of them.
Its really nice to jump in, he never took me on into a fence, until right near the end when it was getting complicated AND he was tiring. So we jumped the first few and then some lines and combos and he was just perfect.
He started to run on a bit on water tray double to tight dogleg to triple bar. Fortunately B saw the issue and got me to halt as soon as possible after the water tray (that'd be in the next county then?). Round again and he told me to do it EVERY time he sets off against me. So that, added to the corners thing from M will really polish up the inbetween bits. Round and did the whole thing and much more civilised. If he's waiting for me, or comes back to me, then I HAVE to sit quiet and not interfere.... whoops, harder than it looks! When will I learn? Then I fiddle and get him too deep and too underpowered and he has a job.
Meanwhile, Dan and P were doing it all perfectly, including the treble, the doglegs, you name it.
Then we had a corner to a skinny of 2 piles of tyres..... P wanted to do it straight away, I suggested maybe break it down, and B even offered it.... any how, Dan decided Dan's don't do corners.... they run down the front and jump off the edge at the corner. Lots. Did it and then straight onto tyres, ran out the first time, then did it with rails either side ok. Jumped the whole combination a few more times, one memorable one with no stirrups from the corner to the far end of the school - plenty muchly stickability over skinny tyres with no stirrups!!
Magic's go - jumped the corner, went to duck right at skinny, then I held him so last minute he straightened left and stopped and I was gone over his right shoulder.... he started turning left as I was pulling the rein and I had my knee and elbow over him, that's all. The gym is definately helping cos I regained balance and pushed up on my new found upper body strength against his VERY strong neck (thank goodness!) and stayed on. Immediately did turny thing (how professional!!!). Popped straight over it.
Next time in he was running scared mode, knew he had to jump it but only on his terms (eg against hand and with me as passenger). A few more times and I started to get control back and we got through it perfectly. Then the other way skinny first. It was a long 3 or a short 4. Jumped into skinny nice and quiet, then landed and ran. I just pointed at corner and little devil went LEFT. Unheard of. More turnys. Round again and he popped through nicely.
Its a vicious circle, he's scared of something, so he runs, I then am passanger and can't steer or MAKE him do it, he can then run out. Or I hold him too short and tight (like at corner XC) and he can't make it anyway as have killed the power. Hopefully one day he will be confident enough to do whatever!
On the plus side he hasn't had a B lesson for a good 6 months and we did non stop jumpies for an hour. He coped very well. B was very complimentary about him despite the hiccups, and as usual said I need the run outs for training, he's got to stay calm AND jump, its not one or other.
Also, he water trayed beautifully and never ballooned them. I rode in the wintec and it was interesting that he was back to struggling with distances being too long for him again, which he hasn't done for years, so maybe it is restricting shoulders and I need to go treeless again. Tis much easier to jump him treed though!
Flying changes worked today too, or at least right to left did, still not so easy left to right....
We finished with a course and I remembered my corners, and to be QUIET when he was balanced into fences and he was spot on accurate. Very very pleased.
The bit is a bit of a revelation, I know we've been working on him not towing me in, but today he was soooo soft and light in my hand yet still in a contact, he was happy to BE in a contact and I never felt like he was over bitted and he never dropped behind vertical. Hopefully he stays this happy in it!
Dan's course was PERFECT up til the corner combo, where B had widened it for Magic and Dan said no and had lots of turnies. He'd had enough really, but had to learn he couldn't say no. P had some more needing superglue moments as the little sod goes to take off, then jumps out the side of the wing as he takes off. But he did the whole combination twice without issue at the end.
It was hard work for all of us. Dan will have learnt a lot from it. Magic is just a star and B asked to check I still thought he was wonderful, Yes, of course I do!!! Even if he is harder work even when good than most the others!
They came home and had treat of front grass.
Stressage on sunday....
Friday, April 10, 2009
XC Schooling - Dan and Magic
We went to Swalcliffe, which is a nightmare to get to, but has quite a decent selection of jumps when you do. Magic was going as nanny, ha bloomin ha.
We hacked to the first field and warmed up, M and I were not really going to do a lot, I wanted to just test the water a bit (not literally, he's good into water!) as he's not been out since Sept. I also fear we are getting a bit "wing and a prayer" at skinnies so was hoping to do a bit of work on that.
He popped round everything worth jumping really sweetly, the SJ training is definately paying off, he waits for me, but is still confident and forward and will attack the last 2 strides if I'm a numpty.
I just can't jump in cold blood, I can't get our canter good enough, and I don't have enough bottle, its frustrating and Magic goes on red alert too. However, once I'd realised that I was lacking the "attack" that I use when going XC, we got better.
There were a couple of corners there, so I bravely decided that as we only just made the last one (at Ascott) that I'd have a bash.... I got a decent coffin canter, but I was too focused on placing him in the spot rather than jumping, so he ran right (like he always does). He got a Bill circle, and I had no stick, but didn't need it, he was pretty mortified. I came round again and got a decent canter, and held him straight, he went to dive right, changed his mind when he felt I wasn't going to let him, then was too close to take off. Cue doubly mortified Magic. And more circles.
Came round again thinking, its fine, we needed this as he has to WANT to jump skinnies, not cos I am so strong I can hold him all the way over them. I also know I have a slight corner phobia, which doesn't help....
About 3 strides out he said "right, hold on, I'm going" and launched up and over the very middle, so very wide. Honestly, sometimes he doesn't help himself! Got a big pat on landing, then came and did it again, very fluid, very good canter, very quiet from me, and he was always going and I didn't have to over ride it.
We definately still need those moments - that's why in competition he never does it - cos I can over ride him and make a difference, but when I'm doing everything I can and he STILL doesn't wanna go, its time for more homework! I need to back off and know he's going. It was good for me not to take a stick.
I'd warned P that Dan was stressy about everyone cantering different ways, and that last year xc schooling=hurdling. He was fab, and she did a great job, and the jumped all the 2'9" kinda things. Brilliant. He was nervous coming in to stuff, and a bit wibbly, but she just kept her cool and he jumped really well for her. Definately can see them both gaining in confidence all the time, its so nice.
Then a little hackette to the next fields. One fence in a hedge line to jump out of total cold blood, the others went first over the little version, the middle one was fenced off so I had to be bold and jump the big parallel. He took it on from three strides out and just flew! I need the mane back to hang onto!
Through a field with littly jumps, so Magic had a breather whilst the others played. Dan had a moment of thinking he might get strong coming back towards us, but got put in his place. I'm actually very impressed with how calm he was, doing little courses on his own, and not trying to get his speed up too often.
Then another jump from field to field, the others went (actually Dan went second which was very good as he had to stay calm whilst 1st one went, then stay calm cantering to the jump, which he did nicely again.) He's learning that if in doubt, put in an extra stride rather than take one out. And he's REALLY jumping, sometimes he uses his back sooo well its great.
Magic and I did the trakhener, although not much of a ditch to speak of. Then we in the next schooling field. There are 2 skinny houses, one 2'9" max, and one PN sort of size. And a big long ditch, with a coffin, a plain ditch, or a ditch palisade (wibble).
I took him to the little skinny first, and the little sod hadn't learned his lesson at all, he wiggled left, then right.... we only got over cos it was tiny so I could hold him to the bottom of it. Straight onto the bigger one, he was slightly better but I so over rode it AGAIN. So much for training him to do it with minimum from me!
Ditch on its own, he did a bit of a check it out, but was always going. Then the coffin, and by now he knew the ditch was there so it was easy, although the striding was shocking and he had to take off a mile out for second rail. Then back round the big skinny, with me doing a SJ lesson moment, getting the canter, not letting him get away from me, then corner, then straight for fence. He was perfect, and I did nothing, even slacking the contact a bit just before. He got big pats then. Watched the others jump.
Dan did the little skinny house, big improvement as last year he was jumping sideways to avoid jumping things. He did a step left, step right etc, but P just kept him straight and then before he knew it he was over it. They did the ditch, he trotted in and had a good look but didn't balloon too big, but P lost a stirrup on landing and I thought for a minute it was all over but she sat tight brilliantly and got him back. Jumped it again and was lovely. He looks like sometimes he clears things SO well behind that he boots her out the saddle as he lands. That and the fact that he's downhill so you have to sit back more than you think anyway.
I kept eyeing up the ditch palisade, and decided in the end that we had to do it cos I was scared of it.... Got a decent canter, came round to it, locked on and ping. I don't think he even looked at the ditch... much better than the last parachute one at Solihull.
In lots of ways he's so much better, but I do feel that I asked too much of him technicality wise, before I had the control. He was really confident today, until I over rode, then he seemed to take it from me that there was an issue, which isn't surprising given how sensitive he is.
I definately need to ride LESS all the time, to give him more confidence and let him choose whether to be good, or make mistakes. He knows the deal on that score, I think to an extent I put him OFF his game if I over ride....
All in all a good day. Dan was brilliant with ponies flying round him, he really concentrated on the job in hand and tried so hard for P. Magic is just the wonder pony and I've missed XC-ing him so much! :-)
We hacked to the first field and warmed up, M and I were not really going to do a lot, I wanted to just test the water a bit (not literally, he's good into water!) as he's not been out since Sept. I also fear we are getting a bit "wing and a prayer" at skinnies so was hoping to do a bit of work on that.
He popped round everything worth jumping really sweetly, the SJ training is definately paying off, he waits for me, but is still confident and forward and will attack the last 2 strides if I'm a numpty.
I just can't jump in cold blood, I can't get our canter good enough, and I don't have enough bottle, its frustrating and Magic goes on red alert too. However, once I'd realised that I was lacking the "attack" that I use when going XC, we got better.
There were a couple of corners there, so I bravely decided that as we only just made the last one (at Ascott) that I'd have a bash.... I got a decent coffin canter, but I was too focused on placing him in the spot rather than jumping, so he ran right (like he always does). He got a Bill circle, and I had no stick, but didn't need it, he was pretty mortified. I came round again and got a decent canter, and held him straight, he went to dive right, changed his mind when he felt I wasn't going to let him, then was too close to take off. Cue doubly mortified Magic. And more circles.
Came round again thinking, its fine, we needed this as he has to WANT to jump skinnies, not cos I am so strong I can hold him all the way over them. I also know I have a slight corner phobia, which doesn't help....
About 3 strides out he said "right, hold on, I'm going" and launched up and over the very middle, so very wide. Honestly, sometimes he doesn't help himself! Got a big pat on landing, then came and did it again, very fluid, very good canter, very quiet from me, and he was always going and I didn't have to over ride it.
We definately still need those moments - that's why in competition he never does it - cos I can over ride him and make a difference, but when I'm doing everything I can and he STILL doesn't wanna go, its time for more homework! I need to back off and know he's going. It was good for me not to take a stick.
I'd warned P that Dan was stressy about everyone cantering different ways, and that last year xc schooling=hurdling. He was fab, and she did a great job, and the jumped all the 2'9" kinda things. Brilliant. He was nervous coming in to stuff, and a bit wibbly, but she just kept her cool and he jumped really well for her. Definately can see them both gaining in confidence all the time, its so nice.
Then a little hackette to the next fields. One fence in a hedge line to jump out of total cold blood, the others went first over the little version, the middle one was fenced off so I had to be bold and jump the big parallel. He took it on from three strides out and just flew! I need the mane back to hang onto!
Through a field with littly jumps, so Magic had a breather whilst the others played. Dan had a moment of thinking he might get strong coming back towards us, but got put in his place. I'm actually very impressed with how calm he was, doing little courses on his own, and not trying to get his speed up too often.
Then another jump from field to field, the others went (actually Dan went second which was very good as he had to stay calm whilst 1st one went, then stay calm cantering to the jump, which he did nicely again.) He's learning that if in doubt, put in an extra stride rather than take one out. And he's REALLY jumping, sometimes he uses his back sooo well its great.
Magic and I did the trakhener, although not much of a ditch to speak of. Then we in the next schooling field. There are 2 skinny houses, one 2'9" max, and one PN sort of size. And a big long ditch, with a coffin, a plain ditch, or a ditch palisade (wibble).
I took him to the little skinny first, and the little sod hadn't learned his lesson at all, he wiggled left, then right.... we only got over cos it was tiny so I could hold him to the bottom of it. Straight onto the bigger one, he was slightly better but I so over rode it AGAIN. So much for training him to do it with minimum from me!
Ditch on its own, he did a bit of a check it out, but was always going. Then the coffin, and by now he knew the ditch was there so it was easy, although the striding was shocking and he had to take off a mile out for second rail. Then back round the big skinny, with me doing a SJ lesson moment, getting the canter, not letting him get away from me, then corner, then straight for fence. He was perfect, and I did nothing, even slacking the contact a bit just before. He got big pats then. Watched the others jump.
Dan did the little skinny house, big improvement as last year he was jumping sideways to avoid jumping things. He did a step left, step right etc, but P just kept him straight and then before he knew it he was over it. They did the ditch, he trotted in and had a good look but didn't balloon too big, but P lost a stirrup on landing and I thought for a minute it was all over but she sat tight brilliantly and got him back. Jumped it again and was lovely. He looks like sometimes he clears things SO well behind that he boots her out the saddle as he lands. That and the fact that he's downhill so you have to sit back more than you think anyway.
I kept eyeing up the ditch palisade, and decided in the end that we had to do it cos I was scared of it.... Got a decent canter, came round to it, locked on and ping. I don't think he even looked at the ditch... much better than the last parachute one at Solihull.
In lots of ways he's so much better, but I do feel that I asked too much of him technicality wise, before I had the control. He was really confident today, until I over rode, then he seemed to take it from me that there was an issue, which isn't surprising given how sensitive he is.
I definately need to ride LESS all the time, to give him more confidence and let him choose whether to be good, or make mistakes. He knows the deal on that score, I think to an extent I put him OFF his game if I over ride....
All in all a good day. Dan was brilliant with ponies flying round him, he really concentrated on the job in hand and tried so hard for P. Magic is just the wonder pony and I've missed XC-ing him so much! :-)
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Magic gets his ego stroked....
Again.
Honestly, he already thinks he only goes on outings so the poor lowly humans in this neck of the woods get to meet him.... and our strict-as SJ trainer just goes all gooey on him. Yuk.
He was good, it was our first time outdoors at hers and he was very spooky to start, wouldn't go near the pile of jumps/chairs etc. Got him past it eventually.
Warmed up nicely, me thinking boards on. Decided it was STILL so much like hard work that I will expire long before pony even gets warm.
Jumped a X off a circle. Then got told off for not having corners.... EH??? Then told it should be a squrcle.... so even when I do a circle (that I love cos we can fall round it) I need to do corners.... hence square/circle so squrcle. That's good for me cos I NEED to be in control and not winging round turns a-la Magic would like to. Then did same fence on a tighter squrcle.
Then a silly little jump for joy filler. We were with some folks who only jumps small, and of course, small jumps are much more dangerous. Had a good look at the filler... but growled and got over it. Honestly he's such a wet dweeb.
Then a little course with a dogleg 5 strides. We both knew we were going one to the other so we just jumped both on an angle for 4. Got told off. Whoops. Got told had to get five and to ride the corner on the dog leg. It worked.
Big learning curve so far - if I ride both sides of him a-la boards, and then ride straight lines and CORNERS, then he is far more confident to wait for me into the fence. Brilliant!
Then a series of dog legs, with the middle one being a water tray (the blow up variety!), snaking up the school. Amazingly he didn't blink at it and we did the whole thing nicely. Phew. And obediently, yey. Cue more ego stroking for Magic.
Then a couple more doglegs including tight turns in. The first time to the first fence, he locked on to one we weren't jumping and just had a minor tantrum when I tried to get control back.
Cue second big learning curve for me - if I don't ride lines and have him waiting, then he will lock onto the wrong one and then is well within his rights to be a bit stressed about which one he's meant to jump! Memo to self.
Anyway, he did the course and even when he jumped in a bit onward, I could get him back to me REALLY easily, and we seemed to be jumping off a much more on the hocks and less forward canter, which meant we could really wait for the fence to come to us and I had bags of time and CONTROL. Plus even if he then jumped big I got it back each time to get a nice line.
Finished with them 3' ish. Not too bothered as we going to Bill's next week and will get to do decent courses then. Its so much more about the control and obedience at the mo, we all know the jump is there!!!
The more I'm doing at the moment, the more I'm realising that we've got away with it to PN cos he's got so much scope he can get us out of any situation. That wouldn't be the case at N and I want to feel like we have control AND confidence to go and do it, rather than winging round on a wing and a prayer. This was definately the right decision, to back off the competing and spend the time and money on more training. We've only had a few sessions with her but he's a different horse already.
Off xc schooling this evening, he's going to nanny Dan and another green one, so that'll be a cue for some ego stroking too no doubt. Sigh. Either that or he'll refuse to give them a lead cos something has crocodiles under it. Ho hum.
Meanwhile back on the ranch...
A week off the big fields and everyone is more than back to normal. Dan is fighting fit again and no one has any undue pulses. Am running out of haylage at a faster rate than the winter though, so may start letting them on the field for a few hours in the evening and see if we can get to some sort of happy medium. The paddocks are now very well grazed!
Honestly, he already thinks he only goes on outings so the poor lowly humans in this neck of the woods get to meet him.... and our strict-as SJ trainer just goes all gooey on him. Yuk.
He was good, it was our first time outdoors at hers and he was very spooky to start, wouldn't go near the pile of jumps/chairs etc. Got him past it eventually.
Warmed up nicely, me thinking boards on. Decided it was STILL so much like hard work that I will expire long before pony even gets warm.
Jumped a X off a circle. Then got told off for not having corners.... EH??? Then told it should be a squrcle.... so even when I do a circle (that I love cos we can fall round it) I need to do corners.... hence square/circle so squrcle. That's good for me cos I NEED to be in control and not winging round turns a-la Magic would like to. Then did same fence on a tighter squrcle.
Then a silly little jump for joy filler. We were with some folks who only jumps small, and of course, small jumps are much more dangerous. Had a good look at the filler... but growled and got over it. Honestly he's such a wet dweeb.
Then a little course with a dogleg 5 strides. We both knew we were going one to the other so we just jumped both on an angle for 4. Got told off. Whoops. Got told had to get five and to ride the corner on the dog leg. It worked.
Big learning curve so far - if I ride both sides of him a-la boards, and then ride straight lines and CORNERS, then he is far more confident to wait for me into the fence. Brilliant!
Then a series of dog legs, with the middle one being a water tray (the blow up variety!), snaking up the school. Amazingly he didn't blink at it and we did the whole thing nicely. Phew. And obediently, yey. Cue more ego stroking for Magic.
Then a couple more doglegs including tight turns in. The first time to the first fence, he locked on to one we weren't jumping and just had a minor tantrum when I tried to get control back.
Cue second big learning curve for me - if I don't ride lines and have him waiting, then he will lock onto the wrong one and then is well within his rights to be a bit stressed about which one he's meant to jump! Memo to self.
Anyway, he did the course and even when he jumped in a bit onward, I could get him back to me REALLY easily, and we seemed to be jumping off a much more on the hocks and less forward canter, which meant we could really wait for the fence to come to us and I had bags of time and CONTROL. Plus even if he then jumped big I got it back each time to get a nice line.
Finished with them 3' ish. Not too bothered as we going to Bill's next week and will get to do decent courses then. Its so much more about the control and obedience at the mo, we all know the jump is there!!!
The more I'm doing at the moment, the more I'm realising that we've got away with it to PN cos he's got so much scope he can get us out of any situation. That wouldn't be the case at N and I want to feel like we have control AND confidence to go and do it, rather than winging round on a wing and a prayer. This was definately the right decision, to back off the competing and spend the time and money on more training. We've only had a few sessions with her but he's a different horse already.
Off xc schooling this evening, he's going to nanny Dan and another green one, so that'll be a cue for some ego stroking too no doubt. Sigh. Either that or he'll refuse to give them a lead cos something has crocodiles under it. Ho hum.
Meanwhile back on the ranch...
A week off the big fields and everyone is more than back to normal. Dan is fighting fit again and no one has any undue pulses. Am running out of haylage at a faster rate than the winter though, so may start letting them on the field for a few hours in the evening and see if we can get to some sort of happy medium. The paddocks are now very well grazed!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
In training
Saturday eve, Magic and I went and played with the square game. It was very good and the turns were much better and easier (except its EVEN harder to keep my left board on on Magic). He was wiggly though and then it tempts me to put leg on to straighten him and then he wiggles more.
We both stayed very calm and I just worked on back corners down before turn and into even hand. He was pretty short and tight, but light in hand. I am not surprised that he was drawing back at me but I wish he wouldn't.
Finished with an attempt in trot, or with trot sides and walk corners. OK until going down hill, when it all fell apart. Then ended in a trot circle each way and this actually worked with proper "steering like a bus" steering, yey! Both of us happy and relaxed at the end - never happens!
Then this evening we went up again. Armed with the knowledge of a weekend of "freeing the back". I worked a little on Magic stretching out in walk and stepping over etc. It works and I know it does (watched plenty Philippe Karl!) but only until I pick up shorter reins, when he usually curls up again.
Don't know what happened but we then worked on the square, and managed to stay balanced and OFF the forehand even down hill in trot! Trot felt bigger and freer and I was then able to ride better with narrowness. And Magic listened very well. The steering for corners was amazing.... just medicine ball back and hey presto!
Then trot each rein and walk corners, still worked well. Halts still lazy so rein back each time he steps forwards. On one occasion he had the vapours and set off from reinback into the littlest canter ever (right rein) so we did a 10m circle in canter back to halt then back to trot. I hadn't asked for it but it was amazingly balanced. Of course I then did the same the other way. Massively slow and balanced and on flat slippy short grass. Incredible.
Then had to calm him down cos he knew he'd offered what I hadn't asked for and tried to get knickers in a knot. Walked and did a few halt/walk/halts in contact and free, with rein back if nec. He settled well again so finished in trot figure of eights steering like a bus. He felt amazing. I just wish he didn't get over-tense in the middle sometimes, he over reacts and then we spend a few mins back pedalling. But we came out the other side really well today, AND what he offered me was pretty amazing in itself!
We both stayed very calm and I just worked on back corners down before turn and into even hand. He was pretty short and tight, but light in hand. I am not surprised that he was drawing back at me but I wish he wouldn't.
Finished with an attempt in trot, or with trot sides and walk corners. OK until going down hill, when it all fell apart. Then ended in a trot circle each way and this actually worked with proper "steering like a bus" steering, yey! Both of us happy and relaxed at the end - never happens!
Then this evening we went up again. Armed with the knowledge of a weekend of "freeing the back". I worked a little on Magic stretching out in walk and stepping over etc. It works and I know it does (watched plenty Philippe Karl!) but only until I pick up shorter reins, when he usually curls up again.
Don't know what happened but we then worked on the square, and managed to stay balanced and OFF the forehand even down hill in trot! Trot felt bigger and freer and I was then able to ride better with narrowness. And Magic listened very well. The steering for corners was amazing.... just medicine ball back and hey presto!
Then trot each rein and walk corners, still worked well. Halts still lazy so rein back each time he steps forwards. On one occasion he had the vapours and set off from reinback into the littlest canter ever (right rein) so we did a 10m circle in canter back to halt then back to trot. I hadn't asked for it but it was amazingly balanced. Of course I then did the same the other way. Massively slow and balanced and on flat slippy short grass. Incredible.
Then had to calm him down cos he knew he'd offered what I hadn't asked for and tried to get knickers in a knot. Walked and did a few halt/walk/halts in contact and free, with rein back if nec. He settled well again so finished in trot figure of eights steering like a bus. He felt amazing. I just wish he didn't get over-tense in the middle sometimes, he over reacts and then we spend a few mins back pedalling. But we came out the other side really well today, AND what he offered me was pretty amazing in itself!
Friday, April 03, 2009
My lesson
Firstly - clinic memory joggers:
* propeller in water
* medicine ball BACK - not banging from left shoulder to right, or down nose!
* on balance beam, knicker tendons on
* contact is part of your plug in
* aid for canter when inside front leg is in the air
Secondly, lesson today:
Didn't take Magic as have to go to Stow both Sat and Sun for the horses inside out conference and couldn't be bothered to tow him all the way down today as well!
It was a great session, we worked on the start of balance beam. Did squares with turning like a bus. Started in walk and then trot.
This is what I found:
* narrow base of front
*back corners down (this makes a HUGE difference and makes turn far easier by medicine ball being back)
* narrow boards
* narrow back - imagine a corset done up all the way from shoulder blades to tail bone
* ensure that narrow base of front = thighs and core engaged
* Its easier to stay engaged in sitting trot than rising.
* I am rubbish with left side board.
* So when doing 1/4 turn to left, I get turn ok and then lose shoulders LEFT as he goes too far through left shoulder.
* If I use leg to turn rather than boards, then my left thigh comes off and I lose shoulder (see a theme?).
* When I use boards, I need to ensure they are sheered so that inside is leading. Then I need to make sure left board doesn't escape!
I came home and practiced on Max and we were very good! Hurrah! Won't be as easy on the wigglemeister but we'll see!
Thirdly -
Blimmin grass must be growing, Dan was footy this am and Aero and Tig have pulses. Darn it. Bang goes the 8 acre theory. They are back on the bare paddocks and that will probably be that for the summer, so wish me happy poo picking! On the plus side I was expecting Max and Tig to be the first to succumb, so they obviously have healthier guts than poor old Dan. He's back on the restore, and probiotics, and am throwing everything at him, sigh.
* propeller in water
* medicine ball BACK - not banging from left shoulder to right, or down nose!
* on balance beam, knicker tendons on
* contact is part of your plug in
* aid for canter when inside front leg is in the air
Secondly, lesson today:
Didn't take Magic as have to go to Stow both Sat and Sun for the horses inside out conference and couldn't be bothered to tow him all the way down today as well!
It was a great session, we worked on the start of balance beam. Did squares with turning like a bus. Started in walk and then trot.
This is what I found:
* narrow base of front
*back corners down (this makes a HUGE difference and makes turn far easier by medicine ball being back)
* narrow boards
* narrow back - imagine a corset done up all the way from shoulder blades to tail bone
* ensure that narrow base of front = thighs and core engaged
* Its easier to stay engaged in sitting trot than rising.
* I am rubbish with left side board.
* So when doing 1/4 turn to left, I get turn ok and then lose shoulders LEFT as he goes too far through left shoulder.
* If I use leg to turn rather than boards, then my left thigh comes off and I lose shoulder (see a theme?).
* When I use boards, I need to ensure they are sheered so that inside is leading. Then I need to make sure left board doesn't escape!
I came home and practiced on Max and we were very good! Hurrah! Won't be as easy on the wigglemeister but we'll see!
Thirdly -
Blimmin grass must be growing, Dan was footy this am and Aero and Tig have pulses. Darn it. Bang goes the 8 acre theory. They are back on the bare paddocks and that will probably be that for the summer, so wish me happy poo picking! On the plus side I was expecting Max and Tig to be the first to succumb, so they obviously have healthier guts than poor old Dan. He's back on the restore, and probiotics, and am throwing everything at him, sigh.
Max goes jumpies...
Well, technically Dan went jumpies and Max and I tagged along!
Dan had an RC jumpies lesson on Tues, outdoors at the venue for the first time and was a total stress bandit, including being incapable of jumping a related distance without going into racehorse mode. Then when they did a grid with poles, he settled and jumped fairly normally (having done grids before at this venue, even if indoors!). P did a brilliant job on him at his most stressed and unhelpful. Dan is always stressed when Dan has not done something before, as soon as he's done it once, then he's fine!
Then yesterday we went for a jumpies lesson with B. Dan and P got to do courses for the first time and LOTS of doubles (including a double, a two stride then another double) and Dan wasn't at all stressed and didn't speed up at all. (But he's been to B's plenty!). He was much more relaxed with P than when I ride him and its so nice to see I've made the right decision! P loves jumping and isn't fazed by anything, so then neither is Dan. Perfect.
Max and I worked on our left canter lead, which we can now get 90% of the time if there is a pole on the floor (although he does try to skip over it the wrong way to see if he can go wrong, as long as I hold my contact then we get it). He has no worries once he's IN canter.
Then we got persuaded to jump the cross pole. I wasn't keen as am feeling its all coming a bit fast for him, but it was tiny and I was sure Mr Opinionated would tell me if he was uncomfortable. First time he ballooned it, then jumped it a couple more times better and from canter and everything. Then it went to an upright and we jumped it again. He feels very ungainly and like he still doesn't really know what his feet are doing yet, but he didn't back off from jumping it and was equally happy to pop each time. He keeps a nice rhythm into them too.
I'm not going to do more than the odd pop until I can get left canter on command, so that will stop me running before we can walk. But its good to know he's as sensible as I'd hoped he was.
We then went back to working on our trot and the odd canter transition whilst the others jumped proper fences!
His trotwork was lovely and soft and bendy both ways, and really listening to leg, so he'd remembered out flat lesson the week before. His length of stride was much longer even than last week and he seemed really confident on the surface. I even did some much tighter turns (when trying to avoid the jumpers) and he never shortened his stride or changed his rhythm.
He loaded and travelled well and didn't feel the need to attack Dan the whole way. He didn't roar his way through the lesson either!
Great news!!
Dan had an RC jumpies lesson on Tues, outdoors at the venue for the first time and was a total stress bandit, including being incapable of jumping a related distance without going into racehorse mode. Then when they did a grid with poles, he settled and jumped fairly normally (having done grids before at this venue, even if indoors!). P did a brilliant job on him at his most stressed and unhelpful. Dan is always stressed when Dan has not done something before, as soon as he's done it once, then he's fine!
Then yesterday we went for a jumpies lesson with B. Dan and P got to do courses for the first time and LOTS of doubles (including a double, a two stride then another double) and Dan wasn't at all stressed and didn't speed up at all. (But he's been to B's plenty!). He was much more relaxed with P than when I ride him and its so nice to see I've made the right decision! P loves jumping and isn't fazed by anything, so then neither is Dan. Perfect.
Max and I worked on our left canter lead, which we can now get 90% of the time if there is a pole on the floor (although he does try to skip over it the wrong way to see if he can go wrong, as long as I hold my contact then we get it). He has no worries once he's IN canter.
Then we got persuaded to jump the cross pole. I wasn't keen as am feeling its all coming a bit fast for him, but it was tiny and I was sure Mr Opinionated would tell me if he was uncomfortable. First time he ballooned it, then jumped it a couple more times better and from canter and everything. Then it went to an upright and we jumped it again. He feels very ungainly and like he still doesn't really know what his feet are doing yet, but he didn't back off from jumping it and was equally happy to pop each time. He keeps a nice rhythm into them too.
I'm not going to do more than the odd pop until I can get left canter on command, so that will stop me running before we can walk. But its good to know he's as sensible as I'd hoped he was.
We then went back to working on our trot and the odd canter transition whilst the others jumped proper fences!
His trotwork was lovely and soft and bendy both ways, and really listening to leg, so he'd remembered out flat lesson the week before. His length of stride was much longer even than last week and he seemed really confident on the surface. I even did some much tighter turns (when trying to avoid the jumpers) and he never shortened his stride or changed his rhythm.
He loaded and travelled well and didn't feel the need to attack Dan the whole way. He didn't roar his way through the lesson either!
Great news!!
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