Back in the School

[solomon]

;D After Pete being off for most of September with his ministry of funny walks. We are now back schooling as normal I have to say he is behaving very well. I am so lucky to have a horse with such a great attitude to work. He tries really hard, and does'nt always find it easy. Tonight I said 'good boy' about fifty times! He is such a darling. I am trying to improvee myself and him and it's hard work for both of us. One problem my friend spotted today in trot is the wretched double sit in the rising trot, any tips on curing that?

[racaille]

Glad that Pete is back on form! Not sure what you mean about the trot?

[fleabitten]

i think i know what you mean about the double sit in trot! when you do your rising trot you end up sort of bumping when you sit - is that right?

i find that im sometimes a bit like that if im unconsciously tense and sometimes after a good canter the bumping has improved and im riding more relaxed and positively.

working on rhythm might also help the double sit thing - like trying to improve your feel by counting the steps in walk and trot and trying to figure out which leg is moving.

you could also try a bit of walk and trot (even canter if you are feeling brave!) without stirrups to get you sitting deeper and more relaxed.

[brigadier]

Sol, just watched your video. You are relying on holding Pete so much in front (possibly in search of outline?) that you are throwing your body balance out and he is quite tense so wont be helping. Have a session where you forget about his head, just ride a large circle and aim to get him relaxed by concentrating on rhythm. Keep a light soft contact and let him step through. Once he relaxes and raises his back a touch you will be able to rise straight up and down, also think of the rise as your pelvis moving forwards slightly as opposed to up. Its not just your rise that is out, your whole body is wobbly!

The findamental issue for you here is trying to get him to relax so you can relax. I think you are confusing outline issues and its throwing your riding out. Its difficult for him to remain in shape in front because his back is concave with his bum high and shoulders low, so his balance needs shifting and you cannot do that by pulling his head in. Yes he needs to be obedient in the jaw but your hands are inconsistent so you are sending him mixed messages and that is why he is fighting you in the mouth. Google the scales of training and that will help you understand the steps you need to achieve first.

[solomon]

Oh gosh! I am grateful for your input and you have got us completely sussed. The thing is I feel like it's a losing battle right now. No matter what I do, he fights me. If I try to get him to strtch and relax he just runs. So difficult. Not sure I have the skills to sort it!

[fimacg]

Sol - patience and persitence will go a long way, also try to get some lessons with a really good instructor, it pays off. It may be torture as they adjust your position and you try to hold it but you will get there.

Since I stopped jumping Brave and started to conecentrate on flatwork my stirrups have gone down three holes, my legs are in a much better place as I want to keep them forward in a chair position but now I have to learn to release my hips to relax may knee and wrap my legs around him only done that though with the benefit of a really good instructor.

[solomon]

That's just it been having lessons! So frustrating. I am impatient i know but also having massive confidence low. Not feeling I have the tools to help him!

[brigadier]

I think one of the thingsthat is so rewarding about riding is that it never finishes, you are simply going through a stage, and it does feel crap at times, like you are going backward and not doing the horse justice.
Fairly recently I had a jumping lesson and basically was told I was crap, that the horse was too good for me and that I needed a lot of help. It was very politely put but that was the message. But I came away and put it into context, yes the horse is good on his day- but who trained him to be like that? Yes I rode crap but ho hum, we all do at times, did I need help- yes, thats the point of lessons isnt it? When you watch olympians have lessons then you know that we all have them and need them. Im an instructor but never stop learning!

You have to put it into perspective Sol, Pete is what he is and you can do your best to bring the best out of him, but it will never ever be fantastic in everyones eyes- that is unachievable- so just do the best you can and give yourself time and patience. There is no rush- he is a horse that will teach you lots- youve just got to let him!

[solomon]

Thanks for that Brig, I hear you! We are all on a journey with our neds aren't we? We can do our best and no more. Just have to keep positive!

[racaille]

This is a very good post for many of us Sol. I think I am in sort of the same position as you, my horse should be working better than he is but I spent many years with a trainer who didn't train and I didn't know enough to move on - I just thought my horse and me could never get beyond that level.

But hey, onwards and upwards! It's all part of the fun! ;D

[duckles]

I too have enjoyed this post. I think it is great the way you can articulate your difficulties Sol - and I enjoy the suggestions and advice in the responses. In my experience it can take years for some horses to go forward properly, I often work on things for ages without noticeable improvement and then suddenly it starts to change. I think what Brig said is very true- about riding and our relationship with our horse being a lifetime thing and I agree that is one of the things that makes it so rewarding and how, we, the amateurs, often get so much more joy out of it than the professionals who 'produce' horses.
As regards the trotting - my only suggestion is to work on this out hacking - in that environment, both are relaxed and your horse will be going forward nicely so you can concentrate on yourself and your balance or diagonals or position or whatever is the current thing you want to work on. I find I do this all the time.