1st stage sorted I think

[brigadier]

So yesterday I had a great schooling session on Harriet. I left both ponies in the field as she really hates being out there in the big wide world alone. On sunday when I rode her she was flipping hard work- spooking at everything (although did nothing naughty) but yesterday because the ponies were within sight she was perfect, went away from the leg and really tried hard.

I did some leg yield on the circle which she found easy, then I tried a little on the straight, which she found less easy but managed a nice one on each rein. After some more supple-ing work I then asked her for the first stages of turn on the forehand, on both reins she got the idea at moving away from the inside leg and clearly lifted her hind leg underneath her. It was quite funny as after the last one on the right rein I praised her and she looked right back at me so I could rub her forhead, her head was practically resting on my knee! If I ever do anything to screw up how supple she is I give peeps permission to shoot me.

I was also quite pleased as my awful habits are starting to recede. I felt much less tense in the shoulders, my outside hand is behaving more and I remembered an analogy for achieving the correct feeling in the saddle, its where you imagine you are sat on a stool and tipping it back like you did as a kid. At the point where you achieve balance (just before falling backwards)is the exact feeling you should get whilst riding. Try it and see.

Im going to cut my lessons to one every ten days or so now and probably every fortnight once I start riding her out (once school hols over) Loving the time I spend with her though, really enjoyable.

[fimacg]

she sounds like a real sweetheart. you definitely picked a good one

[haffyfan]

I think she's a star of the future in then making, she's doing brilliantly. What are your plans for her Brig? Will you show her or is she overheight? (she looks quite big)

Will deffo try that tip as i tend to adopt the slightly forward 'safety/defensive' position naturally these days. I'd love to blame Murph but i think i have to admit it's all down to me.

[brigadier]

I think if youre a 'tippy' rider its so hard to get out of and a naughty horse makes it worse, not sure why as you are so much safer upright or leaning back a little but the natural inclination is to crab up a bit.
She is right at the top of the height and I suspect may be over now- but I knew that when I got her, I hate showing so would like to go down the general riding club horse route with an onus to do dressage at a decent level, but that will depend on schooling for my boy and where he ends up.
Im taking her to her first show on Sunday, just in hand to get used to hustle and bustle- will take her tack and ride her a bit after her class though.

Has another lesson today- we did trotting poles down the centre/change rein with a small circle and a shallow loop on the long side between each set. Really got her pinging but she tired quite quickly. I think it was the combination of thinking about it and doing it- exhausting stuff!

[racaille]

Sounds very positive Brig! She does seem to be a lovely girl, trying her hardest for you. Like that tip about the stool, will try it!