Since it was so hot, I rode in the morning yesterday and today. I spent a lot of time in the walk just really trying to establish the connection in that gait first. And while it wasn't perfect, I really felt like we made a lot of improvement. I felt like he was relaxed and forward into the bridle - next step is to ask him to come round without fussing. I finally have some real hope that we'll get there sooner rather than later. His trot work was really good but I need to push for more and ask him to use his hind end more. The canter work was ok - not great, not awful. Just kind of mediocre. To make it better, I need to keep my reins shorter and really push him forward. I have a tendency to let him get stuck behind the leg thinking he's collected - newsflash, he's not strong enough for the kind of collection I think I'm feeling. I worked a little bit on transitions and we're getting better at the walk-trot-walk transition.
Charlie looking like a dork in his fly mask.
I obviously didn't ride him long enough today!
Saw this little guy on our cool down walk around the property.
The vet comes tomorrow for teeth floating...
I have the hardest time keeping the connection in the walk. I can't seem to get myself organized -and- in rhythm with the horse. Good on you for putting it together.
ReplyDeleteYup, the walk is tough. We're getting there but I didn't think it would be this difficult. What helps me the most is thinking about the tempo (maintained with my seat and outside leg) and inside flexion (inside leg and rein). Keep a light feel with the outside rein until he steps into it (we're still working on this part). Way easier said than done! I figure we're lucky enough to have horses with awesome brains, we have to make up for it somewhere else! Life's all about trade-offs, right?
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