I finally got to ride today, since my hand is feeling better (damn Leo).
Oh, sidetrack, Leo update: Vet was out Thursday for Spring shots etc. Leo has no injuries, other than scrapes, from his tantrum with the trailer. The vet was also trying to get some sort of reaction out of him, Leo offered nothing. Either he likes the vet or he learned his lesson. It was nice seeing him THINK again instead of just reacting.
Ok, riding. Rode Sophie and I was trying so hard to work on some things with myself. I have read a few places about riding one handed to help yourself get off of that inside rein. I tried that method, along with putting slack in the inside rein but making sure to keep it even with my outside hand. Sophie wasnt bent perfectly around the turns and circles, but she was responding. She never really kept pressure in the outside rein though. I thought maybe I was failing at this method. I then picked up both reins and continued on and Sophie was the softest she had ever been! I only felt the weight of my reins. Now, Sophie will plod along on a loose rein all day long, but she juts her nose out and looks like a hound dog. This time she stayed rounded, nose vertical, and still lifted through herself. The moment she started to lean a rein would get very heavy and I could put my leg on and shift her back. It was a wonderful breakthrough. My shoulders appreciate it. I rode her the same the next day, on a loose rein, and she carried herself. She was a bit squirly, spooking at things and acting up (it was snowing and the horses were being fed in the barn and all so....) so she was a little *frustrating* when we started out. She started working well though and really lengthened herself out while staying connected. We had a few discussions tracking left since she forgot how to turn off of my leg and body but we worked through it. She kept offering side passes instead of circling haha. I even let her canter on a looser rein. She was lifted and fabulous for some of it, then got on her forehand and tried to plow ahead for some of it. Since she lacks muscle right now I didnt blame her. Improvement either way.
I worked on finessing her whoaing skills to my seat. That had some frustrating moments as well, but she figured it out. The second day was a good little quite hack just for stamina purposes and a little bit of focus. Im trying to have better set plans for my riding. I always know what to work on, but I spend too much time working her on contact for Dressage and not enough easy hacks or jumping. Im incorporating those now. So far, so good. If weather cooperates we will jump soon!
Oh, sidetrack, Leo update: Vet was out Thursday for Spring shots etc. Leo has no injuries, other than scrapes, from his tantrum with the trailer. The vet was also trying to get some sort of reaction out of him, Leo offered nothing. Either he likes the vet or he learned his lesson. It was nice seeing him THINK again instead of just reacting.
Ok, riding. Rode Sophie and I was trying so hard to work on some things with myself. I have read a few places about riding one handed to help yourself get off of that inside rein. I tried that method, along with putting slack in the inside rein but making sure to keep it even with my outside hand. Sophie wasnt bent perfectly around the turns and circles, but she was responding. She never really kept pressure in the outside rein though. I thought maybe I was failing at this method. I then picked up both reins and continued on and Sophie was the softest she had ever been! I only felt the weight of my reins. Now, Sophie will plod along on a loose rein all day long, but she juts her nose out and looks like a hound dog. This time she stayed rounded, nose vertical, and still lifted through herself. The moment she started to lean a rein would get very heavy and I could put my leg on and shift her back. It was a wonderful breakthrough. My shoulders appreciate it. I rode her the same the next day, on a loose rein, and she carried herself. She was a bit squirly, spooking at things and acting up (it was snowing and the horses were being fed in the barn and all so....) so she was a little *frustrating* when we started out. She started working well though and really lengthened herself out while staying connected. We had a few discussions tracking left since she forgot how to turn off of my leg and body but we worked through it. She kept offering side passes instead of circling haha. I even let her canter on a looser rein. She was lifted and fabulous for some of it, then got on her forehand and tried to plow ahead for some of it. Since she lacks muscle right now I didnt blame her. Improvement either way.
I worked on finessing her whoaing skills to my seat. That had some frustrating moments as well, but she figured it out. The second day was a good little quite hack just for stamina purposes and a little bit of focus. Im trying to have better set plans for my riding. I always know what to work on, but I spend too much time working her on contact for Dressage and not enough easy hacks or jumping. Im incorporating those now. So far, so good. If weather cooperates we will jump soon!