Every one of my rides has been wonderful. Skate is Mr. Happy lately and just pitter patters around the arena with a smile. I love it.
He's so happy its giving me an opportunity to work on myself and try new things with my position instead of trying to avoid a fight. No one likes a fight! I've been trying new things with my hands to get him steadier on the bit - he does well if I follow his head up (of course) keeping the line straight from bit to elbow. He doesn't really raise his head to avoid the bit, he raises his head to look around...so I have to try to keep his attention. One way that seems to work is massaging the inside rein and getting him to relax his jaw. Is this bad? I have a feeling when I do this its somehow riding front to back...but the Jane Savoie video says its the thing to do during a half halt, so I feel like as long as I'm pushing his hind legs forward with 'go forward' aids, while doing the strong outside rein with the massaging inside, I'm okay. Right? Any input? I guess it reminds me of the QH thing where you see saw to get them to drop their heads. Ugh.
Anyway, I'm also working on transitions and keeping my position steady, especially in trot/canter and canter/walk. I SUCK at downward and we both fall apart. Last ride I got a bunch of canter/halt and a wonderful walk/canter that were balanced and steady. I was so excited I ended the ride after 20 min and went for a hack through the field. We saw deer bounding away and flushed some birds and Skate didn't even blink.
Well, if I'm riding a new horse, I want to keep this one. He's fun!
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4 comments:
I think massaging the inside rein is ok. You're not pulling his head in or anything, just saying "hey, remember me up here?"
I think Gayle said that we should give a light aide with our inside leg before using our inside rein. So eventually instead of relying on the inside rein to get him to soften and come down we'll be doing it with our inside leg (which also will engage his inside hind at the same time). But I could be mis-remembering, that happens a lot ;).
Yes, gently massaging is fine! As long as you keep him forward and you're not pulling his head around, you'll be just fine. (And yes, what Andrea said about using your leg just before AND with the inside rein will teach them to supple and soften based on your leg aids vs. your reins!
I'm so glad Skate is doing so well! I'm so happy for you! (Now when can I come ride him?!)
Aww, good boy! I'm glad he seems to be more relaxed and happy these days.
And congrats on the improvement with the downward transitions! :)
Yes, massaging the inside rein is OK, and is part of the half halt as Jane Savoie says. It is definitely not like the QH saw! I'm glad to hear things are going well with Skate, and hope it continues! It makes riding so much more fun, doesn't it?
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