Why was I worried

[fimacg]

Got back on Brave in the arena today and why was I worried...?

He hadn't been ridden for 5 days but after a couple of minutes settled down and started to listen, we had no head tossing or bunny hopping.

We did have a lot of resistance initially to the right right rein but after a little while he gave up and released his jaw, everytime he went to toss his head we went back to walking boring squares and turns about the forehand.

By the time we finished we were back to practicing counter canter and I was trying to re-estabilish simple canter changes, which is where we were when I stopped riding.

He is definately not as supple and is quite tense through his neck and back, but he has not forgotten and at least this time we were both on the same page.

[fleabitten]

Fi - I remember you saying that you did your Stage 1 exam and got Chompy around this stage (or perhaps Figaro, sorry). How did you manage to improve your riding skills and understanding of how to school and train?

Despite having had 3 horses and been riding for approx 6 years, i am only now beginning to vaguely understand how to actually ride and 'school', rather than just doing circles and serpentines and transitions to practice bending etc without knowing what im looking for, why im doing it, and what im supposed to be feeling.

Anyhow, well done for getting back in the saddle and good boy Brave! Sounds like a productive session

[brigadier]

Brilliant!

[solomon]

Great news, we don't give them enough credit sometimes.

[haffyfan]

Thats great Fi

(anyone know where my previous response dissapeared to??)