Two great sessions today.
First with Remy, starting on a long rein, moving him around just using body and weight aids until he started to really stretch and relax. Then taking up the rein but staying at halt with flexions to mobilise the jaw, allowing him to extend the neck and then asking for the walk transition. I made it as clear as I could today and as soon as he lost the mobility I asked for halt and we started again, asking for the release with a lift of the rein to the corner of the mouth. I'm not doing this enough and I'm allowing him to continue, even though he's tensing slightly, especially on the outside when on the left rein.
What we got today was the best he's been and we worked on circles first, lots of changes of bend and direction, some shoulder-in into counter shoulder-in, asking for halt and rebalancing at the first sign of any tension through the rein. We then worked on the long sides, introducing the reinback/walk-on work, keeping the shoulders up and the softness into the walk transition. It felt light and well balanced, working with slight inside flexion. If he lost the softness on the outside rein, I asked him to change flexion to the outside which remobilised the jaw and freshened the contact on that side. It was a great session and I'm pretty chuffed with him!
I then took Bonbon into the school, continuing the close-lunge work. Asking for good, even bend, relaxation and a nice, easy stride. She was more attentive today and we worked for a few minutes moving her shoulders and quarters before returning to the circle. She offered me trot on the right rein and it was fairly soft and calm, a real improvement. She returned to walk on command and stretched out into a relaxed walk. Same on the left rein, very relaxed in the walk, she offered the trot, not as calm, and not as well balanced, but, again, a real improvement on our previous session.
I couldn't resist getting on and we had a few minutes just moving her around with lots of changes of direction. She responded well when I asked for the release and felt soft and relaxed in my hand and responsive to my leg, giving me nice even bend. It's a while since I sat on and she felt bigger, with more in-front. Perhaps she's finally getting a wither - it's about time! :-)
My little rays of sunshine, I couldn't be happier with them both.
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
2 Feel free to comment!:
You have such a good understanding of what you're doing. I feel a bit overwhelmed today so it's good to read about your successes.
Thanks Sarah, but I assure you, sometimes I think I'm just fumbling around in the dark. I started ridden work with Remy 9 months ago and it's only just starting to make real sense to both of us.
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