Post by brigadier on May 6, 2015 21:37:18 GMT
Ive now had three sessions on Harriet where she is soft and supple and not whizzing off with me and flinging her head about.
I must admit she had me wondering if I was up to it still. I just couldnt find the key to her eagerness once she discovered the 'fun' of canter.
The biggest issue was that every exercise I used, she learned quickly and then anticipated what the outcome would be, so for example, I used leg yield (which she is very good at) to prompt the canter transition to keep her thinking, but then as soon as I turned onto the three quarter line she would simply run through my leg, whizz to the side and then fight to go.
We had several arguments!
I tried shoulder in- same issue except this prompted the head fling and my dilemma was then not ruining her mouth but still keeping hold. So after trying these and other exercises I was stumped. But one night I got to thinking about another horse I used to ride, he was a very lively but very lovely half TB by the same sire as Red Rum (Quorum) and he wasnt everyone's cup of tea being known to take off with anyone who tried to grab hold. So I never did, I just wrapped my legs around him and gave him a very soft contact, then stayed very quiet but with a heavy 'on' leg. It worked for him so I decided to try it with H and hey presto- she was happier. I then used a change of rein by using two small half circles within the circle everytime her stride got quicker- this had the effect of opening her shoulder and making her use her inside hind more.
As a result she relaxed against my hand, carried herself and became soft- I then went large but as soon as the stride became rushed put in another change. I rode yesterday and she was lovely- I had planned to have a little jump but she was so good I just did some rhythm trotting and then finished. Today I has a session wth J my instructor and I told him he was going to be amazed at the change providing she continued the good work. She did and he was and subsequently we had a productive session.
I was also able to lighten my leg as we progressed and her leg yield was ace- beautifully two time and no silliness. Very pleased!
I must admit she had me wondering if I was up to it still. I just couldnt find the key to her eagerness once she discovered the 'fun' of canter.
The biggest issue was that every exercise I used, she learned quickly and then anticipated what the outcome would be, so for example, I used leg yield (which she is very good at) to prompt the canter transition to keep her thinking, but then as soon as I turned onto the three quarter line she would simply run through my leg, whizz to the side and then fight to go.
We had several arguments!
I tried shoulder in- same issue except this prompted the head fling and my dilemma was then not ruining her mouth but still keeping hold. So after trying these and other exercises I was stumped. But one night I got to thinking about another horse I used to ride, he was a very lively but very lovely half TB by the same sire as Red Rum (Quorum) and he wasnt everyone's cup of tea being known to take off with anyone who tried to grab hold. So I never did, I just wrapped my legs around him and gave him a very soft contact, then stayed very quiet but with a heavy 'on' leg. It worked for him so I decided to try it with H and hey presto- she was happier. I then used a change of rein by using two small half circles within the circle everytime her stride got quicker- this had the effect of opening her shoulder and making her use her inside hind more.
As a result she relaxed against my hand, carried herself and became soft- I then went large but as soon as the stride became rushed put in another change. I rode yesterday and she was lovely- I had planned to have a little jump but she was so good I just did some rhythm trotting and then finished. Today I has a session wth J my instructor and I told him he was going to be amazed at the change providing she continued the good work. She did and he was and subsequently we had a productive session.
I was also able to lighten my leg as we progressed and her leg yield was ace- beautifully two time and no silliness. Very pleased!