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Post by solomon on Aug 13, 2015 8:32:05 GMT
Just musing on Brig's thread on her lovely mare's progress. I wonder how everyone decides how often to school, what to work on, how often lessons are an inspiration? I have one friend who has three lessons a week! Another who has two a week. I tend to have something monthly with the Tellington touch instructor. I have been massively inspired by her to work on rhythm and speed of paces. And of course the ongoing saga of my position! shoulders back,sit in the middle of the saddle don't let leg creep back... it's endless!
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Aug 13, 2015 9:03:48 GMT
I'm probably not a great person to comment as i have good intentions then think i'd rather just go on a hack! I hadn't had lessons for years until i got pen, after getting her i was having on average one a week, sometimes 2 depending on fitting in around work/her other commitments and we were just working on the very basics of course and i tried to follow up at least once alone inbetween. I had to stop when winter arrived as i didn't want to churn up my field and then the teeth saga started...
I was trying to school 2/3 times a week initially and when she is more ready i will try to return to this and back to our lessons but it will be next year now as i've told myself no undue pressure on her face this year just incase. I did lightly school last week, as getting physically out of the field was hard due to the other horses, but only on a light contact so just riding around the field really i guess.
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Post by solomon on Aug 13, 2015 9:07:36 GMT
Are you riding her bitless?
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Post by brigadier on Aug 13, 2015 10:32:37 GMT
School mostly unless I go out hacking or have a hacking buddy come round. Theres only Welly I ride solo and only as a freshner as he needs the school time. I prefer schooling to hacking on the whole.
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Aug 13, 2015 12:32:09 GMT
Are you riding her bitless? Yes just in a scawbrig at present. Vet was no help, lol, she couldn't decide which was better as the bitless puts pressure around her jaw/external weak area of course and the bit on the bars and internally around the weak area and we're not quite ready for a rope round the neck only! Hence i went with the mildest bitless i could and just have a light contact and as little pressure as poss. The main danger was immediately after the op in that she could have broke her jaw but until it has 100% knitted/healed there's still a slight risk.
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Post by solomon on Aug 13, 2015 14:25:03 GMT
Scawbrig, is that the nose only pressure? It's how I ride Pete now on the Micklem but thinking of having a crank noseband bridle altered to have rein rings on so it can be softer on his face.
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Aug 13, 2015 14:42:55 GMT
Yes Sol. It's a bit like a drop noseband (minus the back fastening strap) with a strap threaded through the rings - the reins then clip to loops either end of this, mainly tightens under jaw but of course does have a little nose pressure as you do this - basically means you can amble along with virtually no pressure on a loose rein.
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Post by solomon on Aug 13, 2015 14:44:42 GMT
Oh I see, the Micklem can be used like that too. I haven't tried it though. Just use the side pull style pressure on Pete.
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haffyfan
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Post by haffyfan on Aug 13, 2015 14:59:29 GMT
Was trying to find a pic but sorry this is best i can find I didn't realise the micklem had more than one bitless setting.
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Post by solomon on Aug 13, 2015 19:08:08 GMT
Micklem can be side pull cross under or chin strap as a bitless bridle.
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Post by pboy on Aug 13, 2015 19:29:50 GMT
Indio schools three times a week, sometimes my YO does one of those sessions if I'm travelling. Then two or three hacks to keep his feet in shape! I'm in a bit of a schooling mood at the moment so hacking feels like a bit of a chore, despite the amazing scenery, but I sometimes go through phases where I don't feel like schooling...
I try to have a lesson a week as I find it helps to keep me motivated and gives me things to think about and work on. As my YO teaches me as well as schools Indio, she has a great insight into what does and doesn't help him and having lessons means that Indio gets consistent messages from both of us.
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Post by fleabitten on Aug 13, 2015 20:31:08 GMT
This is a very good question sol! I do wonder this myself! I keep meaning to school more and hack less as i feel that im just taking the easy option going for a hack (especially as its only roadwork) but its a bit boring schooling on your own plus its more effort than roadwork lol! Although i do find exercises to do and try and work on them when i am in the school, i find it a bit pointless in a way as i dont really have a goal as such. Murphy already is well schooled, he just needs tuned up really. I think i find it difficult knowing how much work to do in the school in one go for to be beneficial. And im afraid of doing too many days in the arena as im afraid of him getting sour but then i think hes sour of the roads!
As for lessons, i think in all honesty they are more of a motivator and for something different to do at home than for actual working on something. I only have them occasionally as they are expensive, (£30+ for them to come to you for a private lesson) used to be once a month but then i started doing more shows and i didnt really have any apart from riding club lessons which i saw as more of an outing than for a specific purpose. However i do always get something out of my private lessons, i do find them challenging and fun, but would rather spend my money on competitions or fun rides every week, rather than a private lesson every week.
I thoroughly enjoyed my last flatwork lesson last month as i learned alot about my position and how i was asking murphy to do stuff but it was mighty hard work and i would never push myself that hard on a day to day basis. Im only feeling now that i could go back and have another lesson, took me that long to recover mentally from it lol!!
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