Tara and I shared the ring tonight, but we're really good about communicating so there was no "ring sharing" problem like the other night. It was hot, and I wasn't 100% enthused about riding...but I want him to be worked super consistently until my lesson next Wednesday, so I tacked up.
The good news - no more dizziness today!!! Mary, I haven't visited an ENT, but I can probably see one (that's the awesome thing about going to Duke...super student health options!). I didn't wear my riding boots today (which have gotten really too tight) so maybe that was it? Someone suggested once that tight boots could cause dizziness. Hmm.
Anyway, he was really soft at the walk and trot, so I added in some more "forward" to the mix and he seemed okay with that. Actually, I was finding that I could get the "forward" just by sitting up!!! I collapse at my midsection - he slows (not collecting, but slowing). I sit up - he goes! In a powering sort of way, not a "scooting" way. Sweet deal! He was also pretty good with the "no pull" downward transitions. Even better when I add my seat into it.
We tried the leg yielding pattern at the walk and trot and he was soft. He's SO smart (sorry, had to brag!!!!) because when I head across the diagonal in our pattern, his ears prick up, but he waits and continues straight until I open up my outside rein (for him to "fill" with the leg yield) and apply my inside leg. Then he yields over nicely!!!
As for the inside rein...I feel like a neighbor who borrowed something and then forgot to give it back. Yes, I needed to use it in the beginning (when Gayle helped me restart him last September) to gain submission - it was the only way. But I hung onto it for way too long. It's like giving up a crack habit!!!! But now that I've "returned" it to him, he's so much happier. And there's nothing I love more than a happy pony. He's going to be a super dressage horse someday. :) Actually, he already is!!!! :) Another big carrot today.
Oh and here's the Elvis video from the lesson last month (you'll hear me/Gayle reprimand him right at the start for threatening to be naughty!!!):
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8 comments:
Kate- Definitely go to an ENT. It may be your boots, but I'd still like you to get an expert's opinion. (My mom's a speech path and there are LOTS of people she's worked with who wouldn't have developed problems if they had gone to an ENT in the first place!!
Also, don't feel bad about the inside rein. I use it too much too. I also like to collapse my midsection. (sigh) I need a lesson. Who here wants to come give me one?? :p
I wonder about the tight boots... might be worth experimenting more to see if wearing them equals the dizziness.
Your ride sounds lovely - I love reading these very specific details like the sitting up got Pro forward. There are so many body parts that can aid/interfere with the flow... sigh. It's good to read these success stories.
Alright MOM...I mean MARY! ;) I'm going to experiment with my boots (on and off) for the next week and see if that helps. I've been told my dizziness is everything from a slipped disc in my back, to my vagus nerve (ironically, Pro's issue is his vagus), to dehydration...overheating...you name it. :P Ugh.
Haha Billie - you just missed the "%$#@(%@ PONY!" rides from awhile back in the blog. ;) But enjoy the good boy posts while they hopefully last!
When I went to my first IHSA show, I hadnt worn my boots in a long time. They were SOOOO tight, it took me 10 mins to get them on. When I took them off, I almost passed out, my legs immediatly swelled up like a balloon. So the boots might be an issue. A shoe shop can probably be able to stetch them for cheap (like $10 or less).
It sounds like Pro is getting better and better. Yay for getting out there and keeping his butt in shape!!
That's interesting about the boots thing. Hope everything turns out okay for you and you get your diziness problem fixed! It sounds like you had a good ride, though.
Kate- That's MRS. MOM to you young lady!!!
It probably is the boots. But if in a few weeks you've ruled them out AND you're still getting dizzy, then go to an ENT. I mean really- you're at freaking Duke for heavens sake!!
(Geez, I do sound like a mom don't I???)
Well, I guess Mary took care of that ENT 'thang!' I was going to tell you to GO SEE ONE as soon as I read you hadn't, but I see that's been done, LOL!
Good for you and Pro! :)
I was so bad about hanging on the inside rein when I was learning that I shouldn't. I found it very hard to learn not too. Then, my instructor at the time had a 'nasty trick' to fix me! She took the reins, crossed them under the horses neck, and gave them back. When I pulled on the inside rein I was pulling the horse to the outside and vice versa. It was a learning experience!
Haha OKAY!! ENT it is. :) Both of you Mrs. Moms!!!!
Oooh weird...never thought of crossing them before, I think that would freak me out!
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