Thanks Jean, I tried to make sure that my weight was leading in half pass today. I think I had been squirming all over the place trying to "make" him move over. He was better, not brilliant. but definitely better. I think most of the improvement was due to doing leg yield first, and putting "over" into his head.
I had to smile thinking about what I would write today. "We warmed up with flying changes." Well, We did !! Not deliberately setting out with the aim of warming up with flying changes, just that he was cantering really nicely and felt like a change would come easily and naturally, so I asked. And it did - what talent he has to do flying changes in the first five minutes of a schooling session, because he followed with several more on request.
The aim today was the half pass, but he got a decent effort quite quickly and then offered to extend the trot. So I asked for that and away he went. He is certainly changing gear noticeably now. I was sure that doing it loose the other day was significant of the progress he has made in his understanding, and so it seems.
Radar .... well !! RADAR! You have to picture him, huge and nearly black, too full of energy for his own good. Running away in trot and then trying to dive off the arena when he doesn't want to try to balance himself. SEVEN TIMES! And each time I yanked him around in a tight cicle and made him keep circling several times. (yes, it was supposed to be a punishment, he can't be allowed to try and take control like that or he'll kill us out hunting!). After the seventh effort he gave a big huffy sigh and then ..... some balanced trot. His work has really improved, but increasing strength is not improving his manners!
Buttie has some exciting news to tell you about what he is learning but I'll wait until tomorrow in case there's nothing interesting to report. The farm ride is shut due to a competition so Radar won't be jumping, though clearly he is overdue a gallop!
C
posted by cptrayes @ 6:21 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Way to go!!! Good progress on both the half pass and changes. Once he's doing those changes from the start like that, you will know he really understands. Toby does not have to be "set up" at all to do his...although sometimes he doesn't always change perfectly at this point in his retirement...but they become such a easy thing, they just "come." Sounds as if you are well on your way.
Had a nice big black Thoroughbred who used to try some of Radar's tricks...with a vengeance. He'd run you into the wall of the indoor when he got "done." Up a creek bank, out of the arena...Finally, I consulted another trainer who suggested a twisted wire snaffle. (Mind you, this horse was dangerous to the rider with his evasions.) His rider, a teenage girl with a ton of courage and talent, gave him one haul when he started to pull his nasty. I swear that horse's eyes bugged out as he went back into line. Took a month or so of using that bit to bring the point home, but he turned into a wonderful, respectful horse that could be ridden in a normal snaffle.
Not sure the double or even the pelham would work quite the same way as their leverage tends to make the horse flex. The snaffle, nasty as it was, gave a sharp, "you cannot overbend to escape" correction.
IF and ONLY IF Radar starts to get dangerous in his evasions, keep it in mind as an option. It is something I would never recommend in the hands of a less experienced rider but we were at our wit's end with that horse's nonsense and athletic ability to escape.
So....so....so...What's the Buttie news???? I am hoping......hoping....I won't say either.....
I think that Radar will rear with a stronger bit. He gives every indication that it would be his next choice of evasion. I have a very thin barrel-jointed "Myler-like" snaffle on him that he respects. It has very big D rings so I can pull him around in a tight circle without it slipping through his mouth. He'll get the message (or else!).
C
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