Magic and I went first.
I explained my list...
* Knee up
* Buffer on
* Shin pushed against resistance
* Sit vertical
*SIT
* Relax, long thin underneath.
As we trotted round it was clear that I've still got a soggy bit in the middle! So we discussed the following to help:
*carousel pole
*deep down core strength that has to get to carousel pole at top of rise.
* bigger rise doesn't = him shooting off so get braver
* more upright front, so carousel pole again.
*seat bones - what are they doing? Outside tends to fall off, and left tends to lift higher when I try to strength rebellious left thigh.
* Open my front!
*NARROW BACK
* inner rod extending from knee, through thigh, out back.... where do they meet? As close to me as possible, not in next county!
* Thumbs OUT to help narrow back and wide long front - otherwise shoulders curl round and its a long wide back, doh!
So on circle I need outside seatbone BACK yet IN so seatbones are narrow, but am still relaxed underneath. This really helped keep the trot back with me.
Plus bigger rise to enable bigger metronome swing to keep him. When it all goes wrong I remember to "crash" but forget to get to top, so must keep rise as big when its going wrong but also keep the crash. Much easier when focus on seatbones.
The BIGGEST light bulb today was that when I don't have his attention, I chase him forwardforwardforward... which just makes him go "what, what's wrong, what do I need to be careful of?" all the more! Think of awareness level, ie like for jumping.... I put his awareness on to external by chasing him, by slowing him and making him concentrate on my seat I get his awareness on me. HUGE revelation, but very difficult as it appears I've been programmed to do the "forwardsforwards" thing whenever things aren't going my way!
But, looking back, he was always wiggly and crooked wasn't he? And now he NEVER uses the wiggle to evade me.... how amazing is that?? :-)))) And it used to be our downfall. So that's a huge huge revelation too! Sometimes you really do have to look back to see how far you've come!
Simon - had a very bouncy school horse, but got the rising mechanism on him, although will report back if it still works on Aero now!
P & Dan - had a very cross Magic screaming and banging from the lorry! But they had a great session, P did really well with the oddities and weirdness of it all, and Dan helped by being cool as a cucumber, being very round and long necked when P did it right, and being obsessed with beautiful horse in the mirror!
So all in all a good day. P and I were shattered, the boys were glad to be home and legged it straight up the field when we let them go, and Si didn't feel it much at all. Arrgh. Men. How very unfair!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Dressage Europeans
I don't usually post stuff about others. But this really made me think. We watched the last few horses do their freestyles at Windsor last night. I'm not going to name names, but its easy enough to guess (!).
The horses these days have more and more comic-book movement. They look so unnatural and few of them stay sound for long.... although given how they are ridden, I'd go lame pretty darn fast too.
Having said that, one rider and horse did look better than the rest, the horse was calm on a long rein after the test. This horse looked like he found it pretty easy, and didn't need a continual stream of yanking and poking to get the movements. It all flowed. He was, however sweating like a demon, and I can't say he looked like he was enjoying himself, but at least wasn't actively being hoiked around. I don't like the movement, and I don't like the training methods behind it, but it did look like a less unpleasant experience for the horse and oh to be able to ride like the rider and use it for good not for medals at the expense of the horse!
Not one of the others we saw were the same, they all yanked, leant back, hollowed their backs and braced against the horse to hold it in. Meanwhile, spurs a jabbing. It looked awful. I couldn't forgive myself if I ever rode a horse like that. I don't care where you are, to me, it was tantamount to cruelty... esp if you figure in the methods in the warm up (:whistlesinnocently:).
What happened to dressage meaning training and being about a harmonious partnership? Pah.
Si, non horsey person that he is, said they all looked like they were being chopped in the teeth every stride and really unhappy to be there. I was trying to explain about how wrong, biomechanically, the riders' positions were, but needlessto say, we couldn't take our eyes off the poor neddies.
I then found a video of a rider with excellent biomechanics, still performing dressage, grand prix, but with none of the kick yank school of dressage. The rein is used, the spur and leg are used, but as AIDS not as "hang on in there for grim death".
Si said, that horse and rider looked like a partnership, the rider looked like she sat there whilst the horse did some stuff! :-) Not a bad eye for someone with no knowledge.
Maybe that's the point - uneducated eyes can see the cruelty better than we can, because we are more immune to it.... like the smell that we don't smell after a while.....
The horses these days have more and more comic-book movement. They look so unnatural and few of them stay sound for long.... although given how they are ridden, I'd go lame pretty darn fast too.
Having said that, one rider and horse did look better than the rest, the horse was calm on a long rein after the test. This horse looked like he found it pretty easy, and didn't need a continual stream of yanking and poking to get the movements. It all flowed. He was, however sweating like a demon, and I can't say he looked like he was enjoying himself, but at least wasn't actively being hoiked around. I don't like the movement, and I don't like the training methods behind it, but it did look like a less unpleasant experience for the horse and oh to be able to ride like the rider and use it for good not for medals at the expense of the horse!
Not one of the others we saw were the same, they all yanked, leant back, hollowed their backs and braced against the horse to hold it in. Meanwhile, spurs a jabbing. It looked awful. I couldn't forgive myself if I ever rode a horse like that. I don't care where you are, to me, it was tantamount to cruelty... esp if you figure in the methods in the warm up (:whistlesinnocently:).
What happened to dressage meaning training and being about a harmonious partnership? Pah.
Si, non horsey person that he is, said they all looked like they were being chopped in the teeth every stride and really unhappy to be there. I was trying to explain about how wrong, biomechanically, the riders' positions were, but needlessto say, we couldn't take our eyes off the poor neddies.
I then found a video of a rider with excellent biomechanics, still performing dressage, grand prix, but with none of the kick yank school of dressage. The rein is used, the spur and leg are used, but as AIDS not as "hang on in there for grim death".
Si said, that horse and rider looked like a partnership, the rider looked like she sat there whilst the horse did some stuff! :-) Not a bad eye for someone with no knowledge.
Maybe that's the point - uneducated eyes can see the cruelty better than we can, because we are more immune to it.... like the smell that we don't smell after a while.....
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Warp speed Mr Crusher
(with apologies for shameless Star Trek reference.... I'm not a trekkie, honest!)
Yesterday Max and I went solo (with Echo). He was very good boy, we went the long way and trotted up all the hills. He feels fab in the renegades.... definately no different on the road, but on uneven ground he's much happier... oddly no different on stones so I'm assuming its the medial/lateral deviations of uneven ground? who knows.
Anyway, on the way back, we passed the stubble fields :whistlesinnocently: and thought we best have a canter, would be rude not to....
Max however, had other ideas and did the baby-horse-omg-there-must-be-a-monster-chasing-me-I'm-going-so-fast routine... which on Magic 4 yrs ago was funny (as he had tail over back and snorted whilst pegging it as fast as his short fat hairy legs would take him... with me knowing he has great selfpreservation!). On Max however, not so. Given his tendancy for selfharm and his ability to crash into large, visible objects.
So we go the length of the biiiig field, getting faster and faster and more of a double handful.... and as we approach the end I think, no worries, he'll pull up at the hedge... ooooohhhh shhhhhh*******TTTT... turn... turn..... please turn..... feeeeennnnceee... heeeeeedge... maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaxxxxxxxxxxxxxx stoooooooooooooooooooooooooooop....
Ahem. Wobbley knees and some serious flip top heading and both reins in one hand later, we literally crash to a halt with his chest in the barbwire fence and hedge..... phewww.
I take it all back about him being catatonic!! We wait five mins for the small, fast lurcher to catch us up :whistlesinnocently: then trudle home in a rather bouncy "that was fun but I was weeeellly scareded mum" fashion.
I take it back about not minding being out of control. I don't mind being out of control when sitting on an equine with a strong sense of self preservation... and Max does not count in that group!
So I think he maybe likes his renegades? And boy, did they get a testing!! Next time I go galloping he has nekkid feet!
Then Magic and I took Aero and Simon for further earbashings. We trotted the whole way up the gallopies field and by george I think he's got it! Hurrah. We all going for a lesson on Sunday, me and Magic, P and Dan and Si on school horse.... watch this space!!!
Today, Max and I took P and Dan round the long bridleway. Max led all the way, through the village, over the terrifying "slow" signs on the road and was basically the perfect hack. Narrow tracks and overhanging trees no sweat as he was soooo polite. I did get off for the nasty narrow swinging gate, and he stood perfectly at the bottom of the bank for me to get on! Next gate he did perfectly. He's growing up so fast now, from my gawky ignorant and obnoxious "shan't" baby :-)
We even cantered the same field as yesterday.... following Dan apparently is not scary and so he hardly raised a canter (tired from long ride and yesterday's excersions?!). P now thinks I am a liar and he never did cart me :-)))
For a horse condemned with navicular bone cysts, who went mad galloping yesterday, he was blooming marvellous... might have to raise some funds for more xrays next year!!!
Meanwhile Magic and I went for more trot practice, and its going very well.... too well probably... shall find out tomorrow that I've overcooked it no doubt!
Its all in the left thigh in case I haven't mentioned it before :-))
Yesterday Max and I went solo (with Echo). He was very good boy, we went the long way and trotted up all the hills. He feels fab in the renegades.... definately no different on the road, but on uneven ground he's much happier... oddly no different on stones so I'm assuming its the medial/lateral deviations of uneven ground? who knows.
Anyway, on the way back, we passed the stubble fields :whistlesinnocently: and thought we best have a canter, would be rude not to....
Max however, had other ideas and did the baby-horse-omg-there-must-be-a-monster-chasing-me-I'm-going-so-fast routine... which on Magic 4 yrs ago was funny (as he had tail over back and snorted whilst pegging it as fast as his short fat hairy legs would take him... with me knowing he has great selfpreservation!). On Max however, not so. Given his tendancy for selfharm and his ability to crash into large, visible objects.
So we go the length of the biiiig field, getting faster and faster and more of a double handful.... and as we approach the end I think, no worries, he'll pull up at the hedge... ooooohhhh shhhhhh*******TTTT... turn... turn..... please turn..... feeeeennnnceee... heeeeeedge... maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaxxxxxxxxxxxxxx stoooooooooooooooooooooooooooop....
Ahem. Wobbley knees and some serious flip top heading and both reins in one hand later, we literally crash to a halt with his chest in the barbwire fence and hedge..... phewww.
I take it all back about him being catatonic!! We wait five mins for the small, fast lurcher to catch us up :whistlesinnocently: then trudle home in a rather bouncy "that was fun but I was weeeellly scareded mum" fashion.
I take it back about not minding being out of control. I don't mind being out of control when sitting on an equine with a strong sense of self preservation... and Max does not count in that group!
So I think he maybe likes his renegades? And boy, did they get a testing!! Next time I go galloping he has nekkid feet!
Then Magic and I took Aero and Simon for further earbashings. We trotted the whole way up the gallopies field and by george I think he's got it! Hurrah. We all going for a lesson on Sunday, me and Magic, P and Dan and Si on school horse.... watch this space!!!
Today, Max and I took P and Dan round the long bridleway. Max led all the way, through the village, over the terrifying "slow" signs on the road and was basically the perfect hack. Narrow tracks and overhanging trees no sweat as he was soooo polite. I did get off for the nasty narrow swinging gate, and he stood perfectly at the bottom of the bank for me to get on! Next gate he did perfectly. He's growing up so fast now, from my gawky ignorant and obnoxious "shan't" baby :-)
We even cantered the same field as yesterday.... following Dan apparently is not scary and so he hardly raised a canter (tired from long ride and yesterday's excersions?!). P now thinks I am a liar and he never did cart me :-)))
For a horse condemned with navicular bone cysts, who went mad galloping yesterday, he was blooming marvellous... might have to raise some funds for more xrays next year!!!
Meanwhile Magic and I went for more trot practice, and its going very well.... too well probably... shall find out tomorrow that I've overcooked it no doubt!
Its all in the left thigh in case I haven't mentioned it before :-))
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Deja Vu
WE got rising trot! :-)
We went up the field and weaved in and out of the sheepies (the farmer's actual term for them, bless!) Lots of sheep poo but am on the traction controlled beast so no sweat there. On the side of the hill as long as I remembered my "crash" I held it - I really did! Even going down hill!!! So so happy. I'm learning to ride, I really am.
Plus, he had long neck, reach to rein, EVEN when downhill.... he was relaxed and just trotted and walked whenever I thought it. It was fab, so we did about 20mins and then quit. Its all in the left thigh, it really is. But by george I really think I have it!
We took Echo with us.... and off she toddled to find something entertaining to do.... and she did. My dog now has a green mohican. How the hell do I get rid of that without stuffing her head down the toilet and flushing it? Usually she is covered from head to tail, but this time, only her head! Teehee.
Looking embarrassed...
Looking smug!
Back at the ranch, I have officially given up prodding the wayward splint and shall say no more about it. It isn't the same as it was.... to describe it, it looks flatter... the little one above looks bigger (but isn't) and the definition between top one, biiig one and cannon has gone.... am just wondering whether it looks like that cos its actually shrinking.... Can it be that good an outcome??! There's certainly something going on. Its not hot or puffy but doesn't feel quite as boney as it did. Who knows.
Plus, Max and I went out to test the renegades and they were fab! Stayed on and everything, better in gallop than in walk, they twist a bit on the road in walk, but straighten up when galloping on stubble. :-)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
We got rising trot!
Well technically not me, Simon!
After many rides of being able to walk and canter but not rise properly, we've had a ride of entirely perfect rising trot. And we did the steep slippy bank up and down to practice for Exmoor.
Think it will definately be Aero for Simon, and then who shall I take.... hmmmm. Oh the agony of choice!
Si did ride Max the other day, but rising was very miss/miss on Max, plus the bear of little brain (Max not S!) thought the lack of rising meant he should canter everywhere! Si actually has better control on Max, but feels safer on Aero as he is sat in the dip in the middle, not the top of the hill!
Renegades arrived today and fit both of them, so that's fab news, just in case the horses who never meet stones decide the exmoor tracks are beyond them..... think Hairy will be ok, but Max may not, esp if the grass in their field is very yummy!
Magic is pottering around being instructor pone... gonna go up the field today now its rained and practice our rising... can't very well yell at S when I'm still working on mine! :blush:
After many rides of being able to walk and canter but not rise properly, we've had a ride of entirely perfect rising trot. And we did the steep slippy bank up and down to practice for Exmoor.
Think it will definately be Aero for Simon, and then who shall I take.... hmmmm. Oh the agony of choice!
Si did ride Max the other day, but rising was very miss/miss on Max, plus the bear of little brain (Max not S!) thought the lack of rising meant he should canter everywhere! Si actually has better control on Max, but feels safer on Aero as he is sat in the dip in the middle, not the top of the hill!
Renegades arrived today and fit both of them, so that's fab news, just in case the horses who never meet stones decide the exmoor tracks are beyond them..... think Hairy will be ok, but Max may not, esp if the grass in their field is very yummy!
Magic is pottering around being instructor pone... gonna go up the field today now its rained and practice our rising... can't very well yell at S when I'm still working on mine! :blush:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
STUUUUUBBBBBBBLLLLEEEEEEE
:-)))
Finally, we have some!
When I did the boys last night, Magic's old splint was a bit hot and puffy. Sigh. Think the boy wants a few more days off - anyone think he's trying to tell me I definately need to get the second string fit for Exmoor?
The splint has been cold for 18 months, so can only assume he's bashed it when they were tear-arsing round the paddock. It sure wasn't done on a nice rubber surface! He's sound as a pound and no amount of prodding, poking or squeezing can get a reaction, so I'm not worried its going to flare up, think he might have just bashed the external edge of the 'new' bone.
So having seen we have stubble - it wasn't Magic's turn to go play on it....
Max and I went and had our first proper grown-up person's solo expedition. Although we did have an Echo with us, I've only ever hacked him on his own round the local fields.
Today we went the other way, passing a couple of horses hacking home the other way. He did the dinosaur roar thing, but didn't seem too bothered about turning for home to follow them. So that's a big plus.
We trotted up the first stubble field, and he was very good. Walked all the way down to the river, had a warm up canter all along the airstrip, past two grain trailers and a JCB parked in the track ("so?" said Max... I'm glad Magic hasn't rubbed off on him too much!).
Then we had a g.a.l.l.o.p. back up the length of the stubble field, leaving the velcro lurcher for dead at the bottom! :-)))
Cripple's first gallop.... and I must say he is improving by the DAY. Gone is the canter to Australia we used to get where it felt like a steam train with no brakes going down a steep hill. He is opening up, balancing and starting to ENJOY his ridden time.
He's also just starting to pick and choose where he goes - he chooses tarmac over verges, but grass tracks over bare earth. He hasn't quite worked out that he can still fall down a tractor trench if he's not concentrating, but all in all I think he now has some proprioception.... which I'm adamant he hasn't had up til now, cos NO horse would fall over himself as often as he did if they had a clue what was going on.
It makes me sad that his feet were so shut down when he arrived that he was dead quiet... makes me wonder how much work he had to do with sore feet before they investigated.... he's still basically quiet by nature, but he's actually now enthusiastic about going places, doing things and going fast. He covers the ground soooo well cos of his size too.
Homeward bound and no silly joggles and no dinosaur impressions, just a nice forward thinking horse. Am beginning to like my gamble more and more... he was a seriously nice responsive, thinking for himself kinda ride today.
So, the non-plans are: Max to get fit and ready for Exmoor in Sept. Aero going with him. Then the week after its teacher training at Mary's and Max and Magic are going. Magic can tick over between now and then. Max may get a holiday after a fortnight's heavy work in Sept and Magic can pick back up for some winter comps. Simon can take over exercising the Maxwell. Sorted!
On a different note, Dan is getting SERIOUSLY peed off with being ignored. He tried to get in the lorry with Magic on Fri, he tried to get me to ride him instead of Max today.... he doesn't like having a holiday and wants his very own person back. Fortunately she's back on Friday, and won't she be pleased that he's missed her???!!
Finally, we have some!
When I did the boys last night, Magic's old splint was a bit hot and puffy. Sigh. Think the boy wants a few more days off - anyone think he's trying to tell me I definately need to get the second string fit for Exmoor?
The splint has been cold for 18 months, so can only assume he's bashed it when they were tear-arsing round the paddock. It sure wasn't done on a nice rubber surface! He's sound as a pound and no amount of prodding, poking or squeezing can get a reaction, so I'm not worried its going to flare up, think he might have just bashed the external edge of the 'new' bone.
So having seen we have stubble - it wasn't Magic's turn to go play on it....
Max and I went and had our first proper grown-up person's solo expedition. Although we did have an Echo with us, I've only ever hacked him on his own round the local fields.
Today we went the other way, passing a couple of horses hacking home the other way. He did the dinosaur roar thing, but didn't seem too bothered about turning for home to follow them. So that's a big plus.
We trotted up the first stubble field, and he was very good. Walked all the way down to the river, had a warm up canter all along the airstrip, past two grain trailers and a JCB parked in the track ("so?" said Max... I'm glad Magic hasn't rubbed off on him too much!).
Then we had a g.a.l.l.o.p. back up the length of the stubble field, leaving the velcro lurcher for dead at the bottom! :-)))
Cripple's first gallop.... and I must say he is improving by the DAY. Gone is the canter to Australia we used to get where it felt like a steam train with no brakes going down a steep hill. He is opening up, balancing and starting to ENJOY his ridden time.
He's also just starting to pick and choose where he goes - he chooses tarmac over verges, but grass tracks over bare earth. He hasn't quite worked out that he can still fall down a tractor trench if he's not concentrating, but all in all I think he now has some proprioception.... which I'm adamant he hasn't had up til now, cos NO horse would fall over himself as often as he did if they had a clue what was going on.
It makes me sad that his feet were so shut down when he arrived that he was dead quiet... makes me wonder how much work he had to do with sore feet before they investigated.... he's still basically quiet by nature, but he's actually now enthusiastic about going places, doing things and going fast. He covers the ground soooo well cos of his size too.
Homeward bound and no silly joggles and no dinosaur impressions, just a nice forward thinking horse. Am beginning to like my gamble more and more... he was a seriously nice responsive, thinking for himself kinda ride today.
So, the non-plans are: Max to get fit and ready for Exmoor in Sept. Aero going with him. Then the week after its teacher training at Mary's and Max and Magic are going. Magic can tick over between now and then. Max may get a holiday after a fortnight's heavy work in Sept and Magic can pick back up for some winter comps. Simon can take over exercising the Maxwell. Sorted!
On a different note, Dan is getting SERIOUSLY peed off with being ignored. He tried to get in the lorry with Magic on Fri, he tried to get me to ride him instead of Max today.... he doesn't like having a holiday and wants his very own person back. Fortunately she's back on Friday, and won't she be pleased that he's missed her???!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
By George I think I've got it....
Sort of!
Walk and canter sorted. Even Mary said 2 out of 3 ain't bad! I need to keep ALL paces slow and relatively short striding to keep his underneath short and his top half long. I need to keep lifting his back and in order to do this I can't let him take huuuge strides and get his underneath long again.
All my homework in walk has paid off as we can do it :-)
Mary said Magic barely lets me ride "his hair" let alone his skin, his muscles, his back, his body! I need to get to the point where I can. She said he is "the untouchable" which describes him PERFECTLY!
So Day 1 Ridden sessions:
I'd gone too far, so now my reminders for rising trot are:
* Buffer thighs
* Roll thigh in and engage spiral muscle and "heel out" muscle
* Feel like knees are out in front, jockey stylee
* Sit stronger, for longer
* Lengthen my underneath to sit, but don't widen
* Push forward against a resistance in my shins
* "Knicker elastic sandwich" (probably best not to ask!!)
* Ears back and sternum up
Workshop:
* Thigh and core work hard to keep you still and stabalise you on top of a moving medium (think surfers!)
* Can you push your back against a wall behind you, so WHOLE back is against it, AND push against a wall in front of you.....
* As always, core stronger than pull on the reins.
Day 2 Ridden sessions:
Clarified what I need to do into bitesize reminders. Got it by the second session, but camera died, so last bit of trot is nearly the best but not quite!
So, final reminders:
* Knee up
* Buffer on
* Shin pushed against resistance
* Sit vertical
*SIT
In that order, and it seems to work. I could feel my whole front from shoulders, right down to knees was involved in it, it was soooo hard work, but I actually HAD the trot. Best trots and canters ever, and him pushed out into the rein the whole time.
Never thought I'd see the day!
Off horse exercises:
* Theraband round ankles then walk. Do toes in, toes forward and toes out. Hold against the resistance. (In riding positon).
* Resistance band, under feet to hands. Then side step one way, then the other, don't allow leg to swing in, resist against band to bring it in. (In riding position).
Both these will develop my weak left thigh to allow it to do its part of the bargain!
Videos may follow for comparison if I can edit them down....
Walk and canter sorted. Even Mary said 2 out of 3 ain't bad! I need to keep ALL paces slow and relatively short striding to keep his underneath short and his top half long. I need to keep lifting his back and in order to do this I can't let him take huuuge strides and get his underneath long again.
All my homework in walk has paid off as we can do it :-)
Mary said Magic barely lets me ride "his hair" let alone his skin, his muscles, his back, his body! I need to get to the point where I can. She said he is "the untouchable" which describes him PERFECTLY!
So Day 1 Ridden sessions:
I'd gone too far, so now my reminders for rising trot are:
* Buffer thighs
* Roll thigh in and engage spiral muscle and "heel out" muscle
* Feel like knees are out in front, jockey stylee
* Sit stronger, for longer
* Lengthen my underneath to sit, but don't widen
* Push forward against a resistance in my shins
* "Knicker elastic sandwich" (probably best not to ask!!)
* Ears back and sternum up
Workshop:
* Thigh and core work hard to keep you still and stabalise you on top of a moving medium (think surfers!)
* Can you push your back against a wall behind you, so WHOLE back is against it, AND push against a wall in front of you.....
* As always, core stronger than pull on the reins.
Day 2 Ridden sessions:
Clarified what I need to do into bitesize reminders. Got it by the second session, but camera died, so last bit of trot is nearly the best but not quite!
So, final reminders:
* Knee up
* Buffer on
* Shin pushed against resistance
* Sit vertical
*SIT
In that order, and it seems to work. I could feel my whole front from shoulders, right down to knees was involved in it, it was soooo hard work, but I actually HAD the trot. Best trots and canters ever, and him pushed out into the rein the whole time.
Never thought I'd see the day!
Off horse exercises:
* Theraband round ankles then walk. Do toes in, toes forward and toes out. Hold against the resistance. (In riding positon).
* Resistance band, under feet to hands. Then side step one way, then the other, don't allow leg to swing in, resist against band to bring it in. (In riding position).
Both these will develop my weak left thigh to allow it to do its part of the bargain!
Videos may follow for comparison if I can edit them down....
Sunday, August 16, 2009
I Hurt!
I think I have found muscles I never knew I had.
Even my intercostals are sore.... so I think I used my core some this weekend? Yarp.
Full post tomorrow when I'm not so exhausted. But we had a fab time. Needless to say I'd over-killed the homework so am now allowed to think of jumping legs, yey.
My left thigh is my issue. And I had the best trots and canters on both reins. Left rein not greatly different to right any more, hoorrrraaaay.
Still lots to work on so homework shall begin on Max tomorrow. Magic is knackered too, he's never done so much work truly on the bit in his life!
All hail the wizard!!!!
Plus, Lil flew through her first sleepover test - oooh the luxury!! :-)
Even my intercostals are sore.... so I think I used my core some this weekend? Yarp.
Full post tomorrow when I'm not so exhausted. But we had a fab time. Needless to say I'd over-killed the homework so am now allowed to think of jumping legs, yey.
My left thigh is my issue. And I had the best trots and canters on both reins. Left rein not greatly different to right any more, hoorrrraaaay.
Still lots to work on so homework shall begin on Max tomorrow. Magic is knackered too, he's never done so much work truly on the bit in his life!
All hail the wizard!!!!
Plus, Lil flew through her first sleepover test - oooh the luxury!! :-)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We're off to see the wizard
Tomorrow Magic and I go away for the weekend. Hopefully next post will be another eureka one on our return :-)
Max's leg is getting there, I'll probably start riding again after I get home... but he's not to know that!
Simon took Aero for his first "in the open" canter.... Aero was such a good boy and Simon stayed on... hard to say whether in contol or not, but he pulled up where I told him to, so can't really fault either of them. All on for September then, barring Max self harming again....
Max's leg is getting there, I'll probably start riding again after I get home... but he's not to know that!
Simon took Aero for his first "in the open" canter.... Aero was such a good boy and Simon stayed on... hard to say whether in contol or not, but he pulled up where I told him to, so can't really fault either of them. All on for September then, barring Max self harming again....
Friday, August 07, 2009
Max, Max, Max....
You total numpty.
Did I mention taking him on hols? Ha. Stupid girl, never let a thoroughbred know you have plans for him....
Monday morning, Max comes waddling over looking sorry for himself.... and he has every reason. He has a big rip on his forearm - fortunately on the muscliest bit, but through 2 layers of muscle. So although sound as a pound he now has a huuuuuge leg and plenty of bute and antibiotics. Its one of those deep wounds that just oozes gunk the whole time, so I guess I should at least be grateful that its somewhere it can drain.
Honestly. He has NO self preservation. So, Max exercise is on hold. And then this morning I get home to see the paddock TOTALLY decimated.... after all that rain in the last 48hrs, they spent the night galloping down the hill and playing chicken with the yard fence and narrow gate at the bottom. Grrrrr. He may not have initiated it, but he sure as hell took part as he was absolutely PLASTERED in mud splashes. It took ten minutes to FIND the wound under all the mud. Silly sod. Mission is to ensure no riding I assume???
Meanwhile, Magic and I have had some lovely gentle pootles. I have been musing how grown up he is and how he's probably ok to let someone else ride him. Then yesterday we met a horse (O.M.G.) so levitated the whole ride.... except when a quad bike appeared from nowhere (we could hear it coming from miles away and had even seen it earlier further round the field....) Cue whip round and full on bolt along the track. I had no chance. I also had my extra extra long stirrups. I felt fairly secure though, probably cos I just sat tight and waited for him to run out of breath.... only took one lap of the enormous field. So we levitated the rest of the way and got home in a white white lather. Sigh. OK, so sometimes Magic's are just Magic's.
I finished the Mindwork chapter of For the Good of the Rider. I need to read it every week I think. Soooo many alarm bells about me and Magic. It really brought it home to me that he is never going to want to work with me whilst I am "human". I've just gotta talk "horse" to him. And not even normal "horse" more a specific Magic dialect. I don't think even the other horses talk it!
Did I mention taking him on hols? Ha. Stupid girl, never let a thoroughbred know you have plans for him....
Monday morning, Max comes waddling over looking sorry for himself.... and he has every reason. He has a big rip on his forearm - fortunately on the muscliest bit, but through 2 layers of muscle. So although sound as a pound he now has a huuuuuge leg and plenty of bute and antibiotics. Its one of those deep wounds that just oozes gunk the whole time, so I guess I should at least be grateful that its somewhere it can drain.
Honestly. He has NO self preservation. So, Max exercise is on hold. And then this morning I get home to see the paddock TOTALLY decimated.... after all that rain in the last 48hrs, they spent the night galloping down the hill and playing chicken with the yard fence and narrow gate at the bottom. Grrrrr. He may not have initiated it, but he sure as hell took part as he was absolutely PLASTERED in mud splashes. It took ten minutes to FIND the wound under all the mud. Silly sod. Mission is to ensure no riding I assume???
Meanwhile, Magic and I have had some lovely gentle pootles. I have been musing how grown up he is and how he's probably ok to let someone else ride him. Then yesterday we met a horse (O.M.G.) so levitated the whole ride.... except when a quad bike appeared from nowhere (we could hear it coming from miles away and had even seen it earlier further round the field....) Cue whip round and full on bolt along the track. I had no chance. I also had my extra extra long stirrups. I felt fairly secure though, probably cos I just sat tight and waited for him to run out of breath.... only took one lap of the enormous field. So we levitated the rest of the way and got home in a white white lather. Sigh. OK, so sometimes Magic's are just Magic's.
I finished the Mindwork chapter of For the Good of the Rider. I need to read it every week I think. Soooo many alarm bells about me and Magic. It really brought it home to me that he is never going to want to work with me whilst I am "human". I've just gotta talk "horse" to him. And not even normal "horse" more a specific Magic dialect. I don't think even the other horses talk it!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Woah - long time no bloggity!
Not much to report TBH. We missed Offchurch due to me being v v sickly person.
Then what with upheaval of moving etc, the boys have had a quiet few weeks. Magic and Dan had their last RC lesson, they both went very well. Magic and I managed to pull it all together finally and I was able to ride the big trot without holding back with my hands. Dan went from strength to strength and managed medium trot as well as the best big trot and relaxed canter ever. P is now away for 3 weeks so he gets his own little holiday!
Magic and I and Max have been alternately hacking, riding and leading and playing in the field. Apparently riding on a slope is GOOD for me as I get to accept the "lost it" moments and apprecieate the "got it" moments. I have to say its helping me remain consistent, as you know you will get it back when you go back uphill. It gives me things to work on but almost within my comfort zone.
Can't believe how different it feels to ride each of them though. Magic, I feel the stretch in my hips and struggle to have thighs that are "iron bar" enough, yet if I don't my legs swing. They don't swing if I just absorb it all in my middle like I used to, but if I try to independently send my hips with him then they swing.... so its a good way to remind me to iron bar the thighs. I did the whole hour ride tonight concentrating on them... then couldn't bend down to take the collar of the dog when I got back!! I felt the burn alright!
Max- feels much narrower, but my stirrups feel longer.... its easier to iron bar, but nothing to rest my lower leg against so I have feel braver about leg off. He's much better though, we hacked yesterday and he was pretty up for it, then tonight we schooled and trotted and cantered round the field and he can trot circles AND down hill now and feels really balanced, and can canter and it doesn't feel like we are boring into the ground, whoohooo.
To exmoor we shall go, and I think I'm going to take Max... that will really teach him to sort his feet out and balance himself, although am quietly very pleased how much he's come on basically for living on a hill. I never school HIM, only me riding him, so any improvement in balance is coming from just working on different surfaces and slopes etc and from increasing in strength.
We've got about 6 weeks to Exmoor, so the mission is to keep riding him and getting him fit so he at least doesn't do his dying swan act up the first hill!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Tig has gone to pastures new, am really pleased with his feet and am sure now he's well on his way to rockcrushing. So tis just the four muskateers now, and I am insanely excited by the prospect of only 4 for the winter, hurrah.
The trailer got sold, so Lil is now reclining in her new tarmac pad up at the house.... its a tight squeeze and I need to lift the phone line a bit, but in terms of size, she's so much shorter than the truck and trailer that it looks a lot neater.... just please don't let me rip the phone line out!!
No parties planned, am just enjoying relaxing with the boys, getting Max fit and instilling our new regime into Magic's head. He is such a creature of routine bless him!
Then what with upheaval of moving etc, the boys have had a quiet few weeks. Magic and Dan had their last RC lesson, they both went very well. Magic and I managed to pull it all together finally and I was able to ride the big trot without holding back with my hands. Dan went from strength to strength and managed medium trot as well as the best big trot and relaxed canter ever. P is now away for 3 weeks so he gets his own little holiday!
Magic and I and Max have been alternately hacking, riding and leading and playing in the field. Apparently riding on a slope is GOOD for me as I get to accept the "lost it" moments and apprecieate the "got it" moments. I have to say its helping me remain consistent, as you know you will get it back when you go back uphill. It gives me things to work on but almost within my comfort zone.
Can't believe how different it feels to ride each of them though. Magic, I feel the stretch in my hips and struggle to have thighs that are "iron bar" enough, yet if I don't my legs swing. They don't swing if I just absorb it all in my middle like I used to, but if I try to independently send my hips with him then they swing.... so its a good way to remind me to iron bar the thighs. I did the whole hour ride tonight concentrating on them... then couldn't bend down to take the collar of the dog when I got back!! I felt the burn alright!
Max- feels much narrower, but my stirrups feel longer.... its easier to iron bar, but nothing to rest my lower leg against so I have feel braver about leg off. He's much better though, we hacked yesterday and he was pretty up for it, then tonight we schooled and trotted and cantered round the field and he can trot circles AND down hill now and feels really balanced, and can canter and it doesn't feel like we are boring into the ground, whoohooo.
To exmoor we shall go, and I think I'm going to take Max... that will really teach him to sort his feet out and balance himself, although am quietly very pleased how much he's come on basically for living on a hill. I never school HIM, only me riding him, so any improvement in balance is coming from just working on different surfaces and slopes etc and from increasing in strength.
We've got about 6 weeks to Exmoor, so the mission is to keep riding him and getting him fit so he at least doesn't do his dying swan act up the first hill!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Tig has gone to pastures new, am really pleased with his feet and am sure now he's well on his way to rockcrushing. So tis just the four muskateers now, and I am insanely excited by the prospect of only 4 for the winter, hurrah.
The trailer got sold, so Lil is now reclining in her new tarmac pad up at the house.... its a tight squeeze and I need to lift the phone line a bit, but in terms of size, she's so much shorter than the truck and trailer that it looks a lot neater.... just please don't let me rip the phone line out!!
No parties planned, am just enjoying relaxing with the boys, getting Max fit and instilling our new regime into Magic's head. He is such a creature of routine bless him!
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