Wonderful, wonderful
I have just had my first real schooling session on the outdoor arena with Jazz. I have never really trusted him before not to simply take me back to the stable :-0 But we had a wonderful time, on the arena with the best view in the country, in the blazing sunshine with a clear blue sky and a gentle breeze.
Yet again I simply can't believe my luck. After six years of training Tetley was a wonderful ride, responsive and powerful and flexible and ....... I never believed that I would be able to buy a youngster who could simply start where Tetley left off. But Jazz can do almost everything he ever did, and most of it he does even better (sorry Tetley, I love you to bits but it's true ;-)
His walk to canter is wonderful. He anticipated to the right and I couldn't get it for a while, but it was lovely to feel him so keen to burst into canter. The high oil diet is suiting him incredibly well. His lateral work to the left was not genuine, but we worked through the straightness issue that was causing it in two ways - leg yield, which loosened his back. And then I also had to fix my hand on the rein and keep my leg on and wait until he stopped tossing his head around and gave to my hand, when I immediately released him as his reward for compliance.
This head-chucking is his main evasion and it is my own weakness too. My contact is often too airy-fairy and I follow the mouth too much with my hands. Jazz responds to that by taking advantage and chucking his head up and down. This "holding" works well, but does depend on an instant release when he gives, to let him know that he's done the right thing. It can also be downright difficult to do when he is so strong and the trot is also powering around the arena and chucking your seat out of the saddle!
I thoroughly enjoyed working him in the big space, and we finished with an attempt at lengthened trot strides. This was our first try at this, so I reminded myself not to ask too much or expect too much. He cantered every time I asked for lengthening at first, but after saying "no", bringing him gently back to walk and repetition of the aid he did get it in the end. He was certainly rushing a little, but I think he lengthened too. Perhaps most importantly, he definitely reacted to the aid and he came back to a slower trot immediately on request. I count that as a big success for a first time, don't you :-)??
I shall be phoning about Zip later to see how well Jonathan is getting on riding him. I keep repeating to myself that it took me six months to trust Jazz on open ground and that I had Scooby inside the barn for 3 months after I backed him before I felt he was safe to ride out. I must give myself time!
C
posted by cptrayes @ 3:19 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
What a great post! Since I am stuck at school and it's lunch time, all I can do is look outside here at the beautiful sunshine and just wish--so a vicarious ride with you was just perfect.
Now, I guess we can understand why some horses are just worth so much more money. They are simply bred to "do it."
Patrice Edwards has this thing where you kind of plant your elbows at your side and let the horse know he has as much rein as your forearm will allow. You mostly change contact through the fingers and by lifting/lowering the hand. (That is a very limited description as it also demands your seat come into play as well.) Anyhow, something like that might help you remember to keep the contact steady.
It is tricky not to respond to the head tosses, or to encourage them with an uncertain contact. I think of all the riding skills, developing a good educated hand is one of the hardest to master. And, the hand has so much to do with your own balance and the "centering" of your seat, that it just adds to the mix. Then, get a big moving horse like Jazz and it becomes even more of a challenge to put everything together.
Sounds as if you have a firm comprehension of your own shortcomings, and Jazz is actually proving to be very forgiving. Zip is going to be just as good, so you are a lucky woman to have two horses like that!!
Wonderful wonderful he is so keen and clever and most certainly enjoying himself.
I have spent £'s on my hands trying to stop them wobbling (and everything else for that matter to no avail!! lol).
I am not sure whether clamping your arms to your side is a good idea as you will stiffen your whole upper body and seat. However placing them lightly on your sides does help me, however it is almost imposible to keep them there if the horse is having a good pull at you. I would try half halt then ride him forward a stride half halt again, lots of transitions to get the bugger thinking then go back to what your trying to do. Its a bit like spinning plate though and what with 'BIG TROT' going on as well. Its as well to be nice because he is young however it is an evasion and very bad manners, when mine gets a bit carried away and starts tossing his head about and doesnt listen its amazing what a sock in the gob does you only have to do it once or twice.
PS hope that doesnt offend anyone
Cant wait to find out what happens with The Zip
Anne
Anne I find your honesty refreshing and yes I'll sock him in the teeth occasionally if his behaviour is deliberately obnoxious - ie he is balanced and walking or halted and he's throwing his head around just because he thinks it's fun!
Jean I'm lucky to have one horse like this, aren't I, never mind two :-) ?
My hands are independent of my seat but they are unfortunately also too independent of my body !!
C
Well ive had Polo nearly 11years and I wouldnt trust him in that outdoor school of yours...that drop!NoWAY!
That yanking was the bane of my life for ages!Tried lots of different ways to stop it but what seemed to help was as soon as he yanked kicking him on into the contact.
Figuring out how much contact I need has been a real sticking point for me but I seem to be getting more consistant and its making a huge difference.
Cant wait to hear how Jonathan is getting on with Zippy boy?;)
Nicola
Nicola you're right, a boot in the ribs often works well too. What are we like??? :-) ???? Sock in the teeth, boot in the ribs. The Enlightened Equitationers will be turning in their graves ..... but I think we are just being realistic about horses which are not total angels, aren't we?
C
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