It's raining today and it was raining yesterday. I used to ride in the rain - actually, I used to ride in all weathers, but I'm afraid to say that I'm more of a fair weather rider these days!
On thursday I trimmed Bonbon and Remys feet and they're looking good. Bonbon has chipped a chunk out of her hoof but that's growing out really well and her frogs are starting to look very healthy. Remy's getting real concavity and his feet are looking really strong.
Yesterday I did Corkys feet and they're looking the best I've seen them. It's taken a while, she's been without shoes now for well over a year and I think it's the best thing we could have done for her. Of course the youngsters have never had shoes and hopefully they never will!
After finishing her feet, I brought Remy into the barn and introduced him to the clippers. For the amount of work he's doing he doesn't really need clipping, but he does get a bit sweaty around the girth area and between his front legs so I thought I'd just try to take that off. I expected him to be his usual accepting self, and he was. My sweet boy did what he always does, and as I held them towards him, he hesitantly touched the handle of the clippers with his nose to check them out, first switched off, and then on. I then touched him on his shoulder and finally under his belly before clipping the small area around the girth. He wasn't sure about it at all, but he stood quietly and trusting.
Not wanting her to miss out, I brought Bonbon into the barn to introduce her to the clippers too. She doesn't need clipping ( just like her mum, doesn't really grow a thick winter coat), but I thought it would be a learning experience for her. As expected it took longer to convince her that it was all ok, but she stayed calm and after a few minutes, she let me touch her along her body with the clippers switched on.
I've done nothing today, the weather is awful, the ground is wet and soggy and the horses, having come in for their breakfast, don't want to go back out! The only thing I've done is played sticks in the rain with Obi dobe and Elfin and now I'm sitting in the warm surrounded by cats. It's New Years Eve, I'd actually forgotten and only remembered when the newsreader on the telly reminded me. It's going to be a quiet one, and I'm thinking that there's nothing wrong with that!
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Back onboard
Back onboard today after a week off and it felt good. It seems the break has done us both good and we had a good session.
Trying to keep relaxation and a soft contact at walk, with circles, s/i, counter s/i, and lots of changes of bend and direction. The trot transitions felt improved and the trot's starting to feel much more manageable. The right rein is coming better, he's starting to keep the inside shoulder up, and the resulting trot is now more correct than the left rein. Although very much underpowered, it's starting to have a nice rhythmic feel to it.
Trying to keep relaxation and a soft contact at walk, with circles, s/i, counter s/i, and lots of changes of bend and direction. The trot transitions felt improved and the trot's starting to feel much more manageable. The right rein is coming better, he's starting to keep the inside shoulder up, and the resulting trot is now more correct than the left rein. Although very much underpowered, it's starting to have a nice rhythmic feel to it.
Just come across these vids for a warm up routine. I don't know the rider, but she seems to make a lot of sense.
HERE
HERE
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Di and Sue, Remy and Corky too
Nothing to blog about from the last few days as both Jim and I have been ill, so Christmas has been very quiet. Here's a vid from a few weeks ago when Susan and I hacked out and it was Remys first hack with another horse.
Remy was pretty chilled as you can see from the pic where he's falling asleep :-)
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Gently playing with the bit
I started with Bonbon in the school today. She's not been up there for a while as we've been working in a small area at the bottom of the garden.
We did some groundwork at walk and she worked well although not entirely settled. There were a few things going on around us and she was a bit distracted. I delayed asking for the trot and concentrated on getting her relaxed on the circle, walking out nicely with good, even bend, also working on moving quarters and shoulders, lots of halt/walk transitions and some reinback. I don't know if I'm transmitting some weirdy 'were going to trot now' vibes, but I swear I saw a little glint in her eye as I was thinking about the trot transition and she started squealing and first trotting and then cantering, all entirely without any form or balance! I stood quietly in the centre of the circle until she halted and stood to face me and then continued with the walk work to try to restore some calm and relaxation. I changed the rein and waited until she was relaxed and then asked again, same thing although not quite as explosive as the first time and she did settle a little. We finished on a good note with a good forward walk, with stretch and relaxation through the body.
I'm not sure why she's doing it and I'm not sure how we're going to handle it, but I'll continue doing what I'm doing now and see if she settles. She's a funny girl sometimes, but I think we can come to some agreement one way or another.
It's been a good day with Remy today. I walked him to the school and started with a little groundwork, asking for even, relaxed bend on the circle, giravolta on both reins and a short trot on each rein. He was relaxed and soft and he kept this in the trot work, moreso than I've seen from him before.
I started the ridden work on a long rein, moving him around the school, letting him stretch out to the hand. He felt loose and active, overtracking really well. Then I took up the reins and started to work on small circles, keeping inside flexion, stretching the outside and trying to keep even bend round my inside leg. We worked on shoulder-in to counter in on the circle and then moved to shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in on the long side. Also some reinback and travers. When we started the trot work, I asked for the transition from shoulder fore on the circle, this seems to work well and he keeps the softness in the hand and relaxation through the neck. The trot lacks any power, but it's becoming more rhythmical and balanced, he's managing to keep his inside shoulder up and keep the inside bend. Of course it's still very basic and not so good on the left rein as the right, but it's improving. What gave me the biggest thrill was the last five minutes of walk work before we finished which felt so well balanced and light. We were changing the bend and direction with ease and he was gently playing with the bit with a lovely lipstick of white foam. I just wanted to keep riding him and never get off!
We did some groundwork at walk and she worked well although not entirely settled. There were a few things going on around us and she was a bit distracted. I delayed asking for the trot and concentrated on getting her relaxed on the circle, walking out nicely with good, even bend, also working on moving quarters and shoulders, lots of halt/walk transitions and some reinback. I don't know if I'm transmitting some weirdy 'were going to trot now' vibes, but I swear I saw a little glint in her eye as I was thinking about the trot transition and she started squealing and first trotting and then cantering, all entirely without any form or balance! I stood quietly in the centre of the circle until she halted and stood to face me and then continued with the walk work to try to restore some calm and relaxation. I changed the rein and waited until she was relaxed and then asked again, same thing although not quite as explosive as the first time and she did settle a little. We finished on a good note with a good forward walk, with stretch and relaxation through the body.
I'm not sure why she's doing it and I'm not sure how we're going to handle it, but I'll continue doing what I'm doing now and see if she settles. She's a funny girl sometimes, but I think we can come to some agreement one way or another.
It's been a good day with Remy today. I walked him to the school and started with a little groundwork, asking for even, relaxed bend on the circle, giravolta on both reins and a short trot on each rein. He was relaxed and soft and he kept this in the trot work, moreso than I've seen from him before.
I started the ridden work on a long rein, moving him around the school, letting him stretch out to the hand. He felt loose and active, overtracking really well. Then I took up the reins and started to work on small circles, keeping inside flexion, stretching the outside and trying to keep even bend round my inside leg. We worked on shoulder-in to counter in on the circle and then moved to shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in on the long side. Also some reinback and travers. When we started the trot work, I asked for the transition from shoulder fore on the circle, this seems to work well and he keeps the softness in the hand and relaxation through the neck. The trot lacks any power, but it's becoming more rhythmical and balanced, he's managing to keep his inside shoulder up and keep the inside bend. Of course it's still very basic and not so good on the left rein as the right, but it's improving. What gave me the biggest thrill was the last five minutes of walk work before we finished which felt so well balanced and light. We were changing the bend and direction with ease and he was gently playing with the bit with a lovely lipstick of white foam. I just wanted to keep riding him and never get off!
Monday, 19 December 2011
My mum and dad went home yesterday after spending the week with us. I always miss them and the place seems empty without them.
It was a bit drizzly today, but no wind, and quite warm after a couple of frosty mornings.
I took Remy up to the school, my main aim to keep him relaxed and soft in the hand. We started off on a long rein, allowing him to stretch out to the hand, keeping the mobility in his mouth, lots of transitions to halt/reinback-walk on. Then taking up the reins asking him for more bend with small circles, more activity with shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in and generally moving him around the school with lots of changes of bend and direction.
We practiced the trot too, obtaining a nice bend on the circle before asking for the transition, and then a couple of transitions from shoulder-in, keeping the shoulder-in for a few strides before taking him onto a circle. The trot's slowly becoming more balanced and he offered me canter a couple of times today. For the first time, I felt more able to guide him, keep him soft and balanced for longer.
As I noted in the last post, I'm concerned about him flapping his lips, and he did this again today. What's strange is that he's becoming so much more relaxed and maneuverable and he's giving me that lovely relaxed 'blowing through his nose' thing. He's still testing the contact also, and I give him the rein so that he can stretch and also lots of regular stretch breaks. He's a sensitive horse, and if this is a sign of worry, I hope I can reassure him and we can work through it.
I had a short lungeing session with Bonbon. It's been a few days since our last lungeing session and she was a little bit distracted. She contained herself until I asked her to trot and then started her antics, squealing and jumping about. She's not strong and doesn't pull me, so I stood quietly until she realised that I wasn't getting involved, joining in or chasing her. She halted and then we started again at walk until she relaxed before asking for another trot transition. She did it twice before settling and then she seemed to realise that there was nothing to be worried about. It's my fault really, I need to get her into the routine of regular work!
It was a bit drizzly today, but no wind, and quite warm after a couple of frosty mornings.
I took Remy up to the school, my main aim to keep him relaxed and soft in the hand. We started off on a long rein, allowing him to stretch out to the hand, keeping the mobility in his mouth, lots of transitions to halt/reinback-walk on. Then taking up the reins asking him for more bend with small circles, more activity with shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in and generally moving him around the school with lots of changes of bend and direction.
We practiced the trot too, obtaining a nice bend on the circle before asking for the transition, and then a couple of transitions from shoulder-in, keeping the shoulder-in for a few strides before taking him onto a circle. The trot's slowly becoming more balanced and he offered me canter a couple of times today. For the first time, I felt more able to guide him, keep him soft and balanced for longer.
As I noted in the last post, I'm concerned about him flapping his lips, and he did this again today. What's strange is that he's becoming so much more relaxed and maneuverable and he's giving me that lovely relaxed 'blowing through his nose' thing. He's still testing the contact also, and I give him the rein so that he can stretch and also lots of regular stretch breaks. He's a sensitive horse, and if this is a sign of worry, I hope I can reassure him and we can work through it.
I had a short lungeing session with Bonbon. It's been a few days since our last lungeing session and she was a little bit distracted. She contained herself until I asked her to trot and then started her antics, squealing and jumping about. She's not strong and doesn't pull me, so I stood quietly until she realised that I wasn't getting involved, joining in or chasing her. She halted and then we started again at walk until she relaxed before asking for another trot transition. She did it twice before settling and then she seemed to realise that there was nothing to be worried about. It's my fault really, I need to get her into the routine of regular work!
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Lips, lunch and video games..
A lull in the horrid weather this morning so I took Remy up to the school for a ridden session.
It was a bit of a strange session as he seemed perfectly fine, in fact he gave me some of the best shoulder-in at walk that I've ever had. He generally felt soft in the hand, relaxed through the neck and active behind, but, half way through the session he started flapping his lips. He does this if he's a little apprehensive about something, but he has done it before when he's really given his mouth and completely relaxed through his neck, so I don't know, but I'm hoping it's the latter as he was working so nicely. I'm careful to give him lots of stretch breaks and today was no exception, so I don't think I was asking too much of him. We carried on for a short time, including some trot work, which also felt ok and finished on a good note, moving him around with lots of changes of direction stretching to a fairly long rein.
We had a lovely lunch out with my mum and dad who are here for a week and spent the afternoon playing video games - oh how childish!! :-))
It was a bit of a strange session as he seemed perfectly fine, in fact he gave me some of the best shoulder-in at walk that I've ever had. He generally felt soft in the hand, relaxed through the neck and active behind, but, half way through the session he started flapping his lips. He does this if he's a little apprehensive about something, but he has done it before when he's really given his mouth and completely relaxed through his neck, so I don't know, but I'm hoping it's the latter as he was working so nicely. I'm careful to give him lots of stretch breaks and today was no exception, so I don't think I was asking too much of him. We carried on for a short time, including some trot work, which also felt ok and finished on a good note, moving him around with lots of changes of direction stretching to a fairly long rein.
We had a lovely lunch out with my mum and dad who are here for a week and spent the afternoon playing video games - oh how childish!! :-))
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Timber!!
It was such a horrid night, windy with heavy rain, and this morning it continued with heavy showers and a mean grey sky. I had no intention of doing anything with the horses in that. so had another jambette session with Rem, and a bridle session with Bonbon, all nice and cosy inside the barn.
Remy's understanding is improving and today we progressed to asking for the leg raise followed by a step forward. He offered me more lift today, not through anything I was doing,but perhaps because he's decided it's a good game. :-)
A couple of scrawny dead trees at the bottom of the chook run finally gave up the ghost in the night, so we spent the afternoon, between showers, trying to clear them away and mend the fence. Not very enjoyable, but at least we've got a few weeks worth of firewood to add to our store.
Remy's understanding is improving and today we progressed to asking for the leg raise followed by a step forward. He offered me more lift today, not through anything I was doing,but perhaps because he's decided it's a good game. :-)
A couple of scrawny dead trees at the bottom of the chook run finally gave up the ghost in the night, so we spent the afternoon, between showers, trying to clear them away and mend the fence. Not very enjoyable, but at least we've got a few weeks worth of firewood to add to our store.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Starting jambette
It's been horrible weather today, wet and windy so I had a short indoor session with Remy practicing our jambette.
Trudi's been doing some of this with her horses and she's given me some pointers so I thought I'd have a go at teaching Remy.
I ask by touching him high on the side of his foreleg, which seems to be the best place for him. It's noticeable that up to now, he gives me more on his left leg which ties in with the fact that he doesn't use his right shoulder as well as the left and tends to fall in on that side. He's getting it though and I'm sure it's going to help to loosen up those shoulders.
I had a short flexion session with Bonbon, first asking her to release her jaw and then flexion and neck extension either side.
Trudi's been doing some of this with her horses and she's given me some pointers so I thought I'd have a go at teaching Remy.
I ask by touching him high on the side of his foreleg, which seems to be the best place for him. It's noticeable that up to now, he gives me more on his left leg which ties in with the fact that he doesn't use his right shoulder as well as the left and tends to fall in on that side. He's getting it though and I'm sure it's going to help to loosen up those shoulders.
I had a short flexion session with Bonbon, first asking her to release her jaw and then flexion and neck extension either side.
Monday, 12 December 2011
Bonbon and Remy progress
It's been a busy weekend so not had chance to do much with the horses.
This morning the weather was lovely and ideal for a session in the school with Remy. He was very calm and responsive, he was staying soft and relaxed and gave me some really nice work. Shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in on both reins, some nice reinback and some of the nicest, balanced trot work to date. A long way to go, but definite improvement.
My last two sessions with Bonbon have been a bit wayward. Groundwork and close lunge work ok in walk and then squealing and overreacting when asked to trot.
Today, we continued with this and although reasonably calm in the walk work, we got the same reaction into the trot transition. Not as extreme, a bit of an explosion and a squeal, then stopping to face me.
It's definitely a worry thing, and in the walk work, I've always walked with her, staying reasonably close and she's pretty ok and relaxed with this. When I ask for the trot transition, I am, in effect sending her away from me and I think it's this that's confusing her, so I started to trot slowly at her side as I asked her to trot, and after a few seconds she started a hesitant little trot with me, and it seemed like you could see a little light bulb go on in her head. I asked once more and she gave me another little trot, so we happily left it there for the day. Hopefully it's a start and we'll progress from there in our next session.
This morning the weather was lovely and ideal for a session in the school with Remy. He was very calm and responsive, he was staying soft and relaxed and gave me some really nice work. Shoulder-in and counter shoulder-in on both reins, some nice reinback and some of the nicest, balanced trot work to date. A long way to go, but definite improvement.
My last two sessions with Bonbon have been a bit wayward. Groundwork and close lunge work ok in walk and then squealing and overreacting when asked to trot.
Today, we continued with this and although reasonably calm in the walk work, we got the same reaction into the trot transition. Not as extreme, a bit of an explosion and a squeal, then stopping to face me.
It's definitely a worry thing, and in the walk work, I've always walked with her, staying reasonably close and she's pretty ok and relaxed with this. When I ask for the trot transition, I am, in effect sending her away from me and I think it's this that's confusing her, so I started to trot slowly at her side as I asked her to trot, and after a few seconds she started a hesitant little trot with me, and it seemed like you could see a little light bulb go on in her head. I asked once more and she gave me another little trot, so we happily left it there for the day. Hopefully it's a start and we'll progress from there in our next session.
Remy and Corky hack out
Susan, Laura and Max came over on Friday and we went out for a short hack, me and Remy, and Susan riding Corky. Laura and Max came along as 'ground crew' which was great for taking pics ( to follow ) and extra support.
The weather had been pretty bad and I'd not had chance to ride Corky, so it was the first time ridden for quite a while. She was a very good girl, although once or twice decided that, perhaps she didn't really want to restart her ridden career! All in all they were both very good and Remy took it all in his stride. He's never ridden out with another horse before, but as it was Corky, he just settled down and accepted it readily. In fact, at times he was a little too switched off and went into 'follow' mode, cheekily trying to bite Corkys bum! On our return we headed off to the school and Laura had a sit- on Corky, and Susan gave her a little lesson. Both Laura and Corky seemed to enjoy it and I'm hoping Laura will come over on a more regular basis to help with and ride Corky. It was good for Remy to have another horse with him in the school as he's used to being in there on his own.
The weather had been pretty bad and I'd not had chance to ride Corky, so it was the first time ridden for quite a while. She was a very good girl, although once or twice decided that, perhaps she didn't really want to restart her ridden career! All in all they were both very good and Remy took it all in his stride. He's never ridden out with another horse before, but as it was Corky, he just settled down and accepted it readily. In fact, at times he was a little too switched off and went into 'follow' mode, cheekily trying to bite Corkys bum! On our return we headed off to the school and Laura had a sit- on Corky, and Susan gave her a little lesson. Both Laura and Corky seemed to enjoy it and I'm hoping Laura will come over on a more regular basis to help with and ride Corky. It was good for Remy to have another horse with him in the school as he's used to being in there on his own.
Monday, 5 December 2011
Excess Energy.
It's been a horrible few days, non stop rain, dreary and miserable. The horses have stayed in the stable the last couple of nights, they've been hanging around the gate mid afternoon looking fed-up, so came in for a feed and then just not wanted to go back out, can't blame them!!
This morning was quite bright and warm so I took Remy up to the school. He showed me some of the spirit I've been wanting to see, but not quite in the way I expected! As I was leading him up there he let off some of his excess energy by trying to spin round and rear. Not usual behaviour, but it just goes to show how much calmer they are when they're out 24/7. When we got up to the school, he bounced in and showed me just how he can move when he makes the effort. I lunged him at walk and trot until he relaxed and then I got on.
I've decided that we've got to start looking for more activity behind. I've not wanted to push him too much as it's just caused tension at the front. It's still a real balancing act, but he's more consistently soft in the hand now and I think he can deal with a little bit more from behind.
With this in mind, I expected quick reactions to the leg today and if I didn't get it I gave him a quick tap with the whip to remind him. He realised very quickly what was expected and we had a really good session. He was offering trot from a very light aid and then in the trot, offering canter. He's only ever offered canter once from the trot, and it was a run into the canter. Today he offered it 3 times from a fairly balanced trot, which, although I hadn't asked for it, I'm happy to accept, as I think he'll prefer to canter, it'll help his balance, and it can only improve the trot (which needs a lot of improvement).
I think I'm going to have to clip him. Not sure how that's going to go, he's never seen the clippers before. I'll just take his lower neck and belly, so unfortunately he'll be stripey - I hate stripey horses!
The last session with Bonbon was pretty heated, throwing herself around and squealing when I asked her to trot on the lunge. She's calm in walk when I'm working close to her and seems a little worried into the trot transition as I ask her to move out and away on the circle. I've tried to keep her relaxed and soft, with good bend before asking for a soft, calm transition into the trot, keeping a shorter line and going with her on the circle. This seems to help.
Today we had the same behaviour, but she was more determined ( more excess energy, I guess) and I'm not quite sure when the apprehension turned to defiance, but when she started to throw herself around squealing and then dragging her head down to eat grass, I had to be a lot firmer with her, a quick 'no' and a tug on the rope to lift her head, and then straight back to walk on the circle, waiting until she relaxed and then trying the transition again.
I don't mind her letting off steam on the lunge, but within the parameters that I set, and if she's behaving dangerously, twisting and trying to spin, throwing her back legs around (you get the picture) I can't have that. She gradually calmed and we finished on a good note, with a trot on each rein. I think next session will be better, she's quite opinionated, but she's not a bad horse and today she seemed to realise that trotting on the lunge wasn't too bad really. We'll see!
This morning was quite bright and warm so I took Remy up to the school. He showed me some of the spirit I've been wanting to see, but not quite in the way I expected! As I was leading him up there he let off some of his excess energy by trying to spin round and rear. Not usual behaviour, but it just goes to show how much calmer they are when they're out 24/7. When we got up to the school, he bounced in and showed me just how he can move when he makes the effort. I lunged him at walk and trot until he relaxed and then I got on.
I've decided that we've got to start looking for more activity behind. I've not wanted to push him too much as it's just caused tension at the front. It's still a real balancing act, but he's more consistently soft in the hand now and I think he can deal with a little bit more from behind.
With this in mind, I expected quick reactions to the leg today and if I didn't get it I gave him a quick tap with the whip to remind him. He realised very quickly what was expected and we had a really good session. He was offering trot from a very light aid and then in the trot, offering canter. He's only ever offered canter once from the trot, and it was a run into the canter. Today he offered it 3 times from a fairly balanced trot, which, although I hadn't asked for it, I'm happy to accept, as I think he'll prefer to canter, it'll help his balance, and it can only improve the trot (which needs a lot of improvement).
I think I'm going to have to clip him. Not sure how that's going to go, he's never seen the clippers before. I'll just take his lower neck and belly, so unfortunately he'll be stripey - I hate stripey horses!
The last session with Bonbon was pretty heated, throwing herself around and squealing when I asked her to trot on the lunge. She's calm in walk when I'm working close to her and seems a little worried into the trot transition as I ask her to move out and away on the circle. I've tried to keep her relaxed and soft, with good bend before asking for a soft, calm transition into the trot, keeping a shorter line and going with her on the circle. This seems to help.
Today we had the same behaviour, but she was more determined ( more excess energy, I guess) and I'm not quite sure when the apprehension turned to defiance, but when she started to throw herself around squealing and then dragging her head down to eat grass, I had to be a lot firmer with her, a quick 'no' and a tug on the rope to lift her head, and then straight back to walk on the circle, waiting until she relaxed and then trying the transition again.
I don't mind her letting off steam on the lunge, but within the parameters that I set, and if she's behaving dangerously, twisting and trying to spin, throwing her back legs around (you get the picture) I can't have that. She gradually calmed and we finished on a good note, with a trot on each rein. I think next session will be better, she's quite opinionated, but she's not a bad horse and today she seemed to realise that trotting on the lunge wasn't too bad really. We'll see!
Monday, 28 November 2011
Trimming, treatment and trotting
The horses had their feet trimmed on saturday and they're doing really well. Remy also had a bodywork session from Gareths partner Lesley. He was pretty much ok, but a little sensitive on his wither, which was a worry, especially as we have just had the saddle fitter who assures me that his saddle now is a near perfect fit. He reacted very sharply when she stretched his shoulder - an exercise which opens up the wither apparently. She was surprised at his reaction but when she rechecked his wither, the sensitivity had gone, so we're hoping the manipulation has eased an old niggle. Anyway we'll need to keep an eye on things, especially the saddle, I'd like to think as it's been fitted properly it's not going to him any problems. I've been doing some stretching exercises with him, so now I need to make sure that I keep up with them and really try to loosen those shoulders.
After a warm up today, I worked on trot transitions, from reinback to get his back end in gear and also tried some in shoulder fore, keeping his inside shoulder up, especially on the right rein as he wants to drop it into the transition. It was his right shoulder that he reacted to, so perhaps he has some tightness in there.
It seems like a very slow process getting the trot anything like balanced. I can ask from reinback and we get more umph, we get a few strides in decent balance, but then he/we cant handle it and he tenses. Or I can ask for a soft transition, shoulder fore off a small circle, keeping his inside shoulder up and stepping under with his inside hind, and we get a much softer trot, but no umph. My feeling is that I need to do both, go with what feels right. It's hard this trying to ride with light hands, never restricting, never pulling back!! As Philippe Karl says 'I'm not the guy with high hands, I'm just the guy who's trying to ride without pulling'.
After a warm up today, I worked on trot transitions, from reinback to get his back end in gear and also tried some in shoulder fore, keeping his inside shoulder up, especially on the right rein as he wants to drop it into the transition. It was his right shoulder that he reacted to, so perhaps he has some tightness in there.
It seems like a very slow process getting the trot anything like balanced. I can ask from reinback and we get more umph, we get a few strides in decent balance, but then he/we cant handle it and he tenses. Or I can ask for a soft transition, shoulder fore off a small circle, keeping his inside shoulder up and stepping under with his inside hind, and we get a much softer trot, but no umph. My feeling is that I need to do both, go with what feels right. It's hard this trying to ride with light hands, never restricting, never pulling back!! As Philippe Karl says 'I'm not the guy with high hands, I'm just the guy who's trying to ride without pulling'.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Moving Shoulders and Quarters
Another damp and misty day. We went up to the school, moving Rem around, trying to keep softness and relaxation with good response to the leg. Changes of rein and direction, moving his shoulders and quarters. Still holding tension through his neck, but improving, I think.
Friday, 25 November 2011
A nip in the air
It was sunny and bright this morning when I got up, but by the time I was ready to ride, a wintry mist had descended. It didn't stop us from riding up to the school and having a lovely session. Working at walk, lots of changes of rein, small circles, serpentines, reinback and a little shoulder-in. His acceptance and relaxation are definitely improving, the softness is becoming more consistent and as a result he's becoming much more mobile. His outside shoulder on the left rein needs reminding still, but today, towards the end of the session, he was starting to bend more evenly and lifting and moving that shoulder. Before finishing we tried some trot transitions on the circle asking the inside hind to step under before asking for the transition, which helped to keep him soft and round.
Riding back down the lane home, he was a little worried by something on the other side of the hedge. He was on his toes, so after we'd got past, I asked him for trot and he just proved to me that he can trot in balance with energy! That's the trot I'm going to aim for in the school.
We picked the trailer up this afternoon, all fixed and ready to go. I've also ordered full width breast and breech bars so that I can try transporting him without the partition.
Riding back down the lane home, he was a little worried by something on the other side of the hedge. He was on his toes, so after we'd got past, I asked him for trot and he just proved to me that he can trot in balance with energy! That's the trot I'm going to aim for in the school.
We picked the trailer up this afternoon, all fixed and ready to go. I've also ordered full width breast and breech bars so that I can try transporting him without the partition.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Trailer trouble
Remy had his first ride in the trailer this morning. We were only going five minutes up the lane to a friends house, where we could unload him onto the grass area they have at the front of the house, let him chill and have a look around and then reload him and come home.
We've done all the preparation, but he was a little hesitant as I led him out onto the yard in his travelling boots. After a couple of attempts he went in and stood quietly while Jim put the back bar on and lifted the ramp.
I don't like travelling horses, never have, but when I was travelling my horse on a regular basis, I had a lorry and I could see my horse from the cab. I've never liked trailers, but here in France a trailer is the most practical option. So, as we set off, I was nervous. Remy's a pretty calm chap and I didn't expect anything spectacular, but even so......
He neighed a couple of times and could hear him pawing, Jim said he was fidgety, but nothing to worry about, or so we thought.
We arrived and I opened the jockey door to find the front part of the partition hanging off, resting on the floor at an angle and the breast bar hanging from a warped bracket. My heart was in my mouth, but thankfully, Remy was standing very quietly and calmly on the correct side of the partition exactly where he was supposed to be and was unharmed! I led him off the trailer and after a quick look around he put his head down to eat! No harm done, but I feel terrible. I'm sure that we checked everything, but something's gone wrong with the partition to come away like that. Poor boy, having to deal with all that the first time travelling!!
While I let Remy eat, Jim and Ricky removed the partition completely and then I reloaded him and travelled him back that way. He wasn't worried about going back in there and seemed more at ease with the bigger travelling space. I know a lot of people travel their horses in a trailer without the partition, and perhaps I will too, when (and if) I find the nerve to try again. LOL
We've done all the preparation, but he was a little hesitant as I led him out onto the yard in his travelling boots. After a couple of attempts he went in and stood quietly while Jim put the back bar on and lifted the ramp.
I don't like travelling horses, never have, but when I was travelling my horse on a regular basis, I had a lorry and I could see my horse from the cab. I've never liked trailers, but here in France a trailer is the most practical option. So, as we set off, I was nervous. Remy's a pretty calm chap and I didn't expect anything spectacular, but even so......
He neighed a couple of times and could hear him pawing, Jim said he was fidgety, but nothing to worry about, or so we thought.
We arrived and I opened the jockey door to find the front part of the partition hanging off, resting on the floor at an angle and the breast bar hanging from a warped bracket. My heart was in my mouth, but thankfully, Remy was standing very quietly and calmly on the correct side of the partition exactly where he was supposed to be and was unharmed! I led him off the trailer and after a quick look around he put his head down to eat! No harm done, but I feel terrible. I'm sure that we checked everything, but something's gone wrong with the partition to come away like that. Poor boy, having to deal with all that the first time travelling!!
While I let Remy eat, Jim and Ricky removed the partition completely and then I reloaded him and travelled him back that way. He wasn't worried about going back in there and seemed more at ease with the bigger travelling space. I know a lot of people travel their horses in a trailer without the partition, and perhaps I will too, when (and if) I find the nerve to try again. LOL
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Remy Hacking and Bonbon Squealing
I've had a great morning with the horses.
I took Remy for a hack up the track. I wanted to see how he was, my aim to go through the little wood to the road. I'm a bit of a wuss with traffic, and the road has always been a mental barrier for me. The point where the track meets the road is just off a blind bend, you can see one way, but you have to listen for traffic from the other direction. It's not really a busy road, but cars are usually going quite fast. He'd been forward and confident up to the road so I decided to cross it. We waited for two cars to pass and then went across. He was perfectly fine, I expected him to be, but as I said,the road..........
We went on along the track and walked round the top end of the small lake before heading back. He waited patiently while a couple of cars went past and then we crossed back towards home. We've been across two or three times before, but not without Jim so I really was pleased, I feel like we've made another step forward and I've overcome the barrier in my mind.
We then took Bonbon up to the school. I started off with a short lungeing session, she was unsettled and reluctant to trot, squealing and first charging off in canter and then backing off and trying to turn in. We carried on and she started to settle, so I finished on a good note after a short trot on each rein with a few walk/trot transitions where she was listening and happy to do what I was asking. I then got on, asking her to relax and release her jaw with flexion to each side at halt before asking her to walk on. It was a short session, walk and halt transitions on each rein and a couple of attempts at asking her to take her weight back into reinback. She can do this in hand, and after a little confusion she understood, relaxed and as she released her jaw took a couple of nice steps backwards. The first time riding her in this newly fitted saddle and I was pleased, it felt good. She makes me smile.
I took Remy for a hack up the track. I wanted to see how he was, my aim to go through the little wood to the road. I'm a bit of a wuss with traffic, and the road has always been a mental barrier for me. The point where the track meets the road is just off a blind bend, you can see one way, but you have to listen for traffic from the other direction. It's not really a busy road, but cars are usually going quite fast. He'd been forward and confident up to the road so I decided to cross it. We waited for two cars to pass and then went across. He was perfectly fine, I expected him to be, but as I said,the road..........
We went on along the track and walked round the top end of the small lake before heading back. He waited patiently while a couple of cars went past and then we crossed back towards home. We've been across two or three times before, but not without Jim so I really was pleased, I feel like we've made another step forward and I've overcome the barrier in my mind.
We then took Bonbon up to the school. I started off with a short lungeing session, she was unsettled and reluctant to trot, squealing and first charging off in canter and then backing off and trying to turn in. We carried on and she started to settle, so I finished on a good note after a short trot on each rein with a few walk/trot transitions where she was listening and happy to do what I was asking. I then got on, asking her to relax and release her jaw with flexion to each side at halt before asking her to walk on. It was a short session, walk and halt transitions on each rein and a couple of attempts at asking her to take her weight back into reinback. She can do this in hand, and after a little confusion she understood, relaxed and as she released her jaw took a couple of nice steps backwards. The first time riding her in this newly fitted saddle and I was pleased, it felt good. She makes me smile.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Posts required
Back in the school with Remy today in his newly fitted saddle. We've taken away the thick Suber Pad and now have a good, thick cotton numnah in it's place. It's weird, but, despite the fact that it always felt like a compromise, that thick Suber pad gave me the feeling that I was protecting his back. Ridiculous, as now we have a well fitting saddle without the need for a thick pad for protection. I have to trust that the saddle fitter knows his job and I do, but........ why the little niggly doubt? The control freak in me, I suppose.
Anyway, back to our session.
I lunged him for a short time on each rein and then got on. My aim was to let him walk, find his balance, get used to the new saddle fit, and to basically see how he felt. He seemed relaxed and happy to walk out, a nice swing and good long strides. He felt easy, on a long rein, stretching down well over his neck.
I then asked for halt, took up the reins to ask him to give his mouth, asking for flexion to each side and then letting him extend his neck. My priority was to keep him soft in my hand, mobile in his jaw and relaxed through his neck. I moved him around the school, changing the rein often through small circles and serpentines, using halts, reinback, moving his shoulders and quarters, all the time trying to keep this softness and relaxation.
I was really pleased with the session, he was more consistently soft and relaxed, he was attentive and he was responsive to my leg.
This afternoon we went up to the top field to check it out with a view to refencing it so that the horses can graze in there. It's one of the fields that we keep for hay making, but, as a really well draining, dry field we want to use it to supplement our winter grazing. We're going to leave the outer fence intact as I don't want to cut down the various trees and bushes growing in and around it, and bring a new fence inside. Just more work for Jim, as you can imagine he's ecstatic!!
Anyway, back to our session.
I lunged him for a short time on each rein and then got on. My aim was to let him walk, find his balance, get used to the new saddle fit, and to basically see how he felt. He seemed relaxed and happy to walk out, a nice swing and good long strides. He felt easy, on a long rein, stretching down well over his neck.
I then asked for halt, took up the reins to ask him to give his mouth, asking for flexion to each side and then letting him extend his neck. My priority was to keep him soft in my hand, mobile in his jaw and relaxed through his neck. I moved him around the school, changing the rein often through small circles and serpentines, using halts, reinback, moving his shoulders and quarters, all the time trying to keep this softness and relaxation.
I was really pleased with the session, he was more consistently soft and relaxed, he was attentive and he was responsive to my leg.
This afternoon we went up to the top field to check it out with a view to refencing it so that the horses can graze in there. It's one of the fields that we keep for hay making, but, as a really well draining, dry field we want to use it to supplement our winter grazing. We're going to leave the outer fence intact as I don't want to cut down the various trees and bushes growing in and around it, and bring a new fence inside. Just more work for Jim, as you can imagine he's ecstatic!!
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Saddles on, saddles off......
Been quiet the last few days, not ridden after deciding that I really had to be sure that my saddles were fitting correctly.
I made the appointment and the saddle fitter came out today and we spent a good few hours with Remy and Bonbon, fitting, flocking and changing gullets.
I'd warned Jim that I may need a new saddle for Remy, but we tried the Bates Isabell on him, and, after a couple of gullet changes to get the best possible result, the saddle fitter was really happy with it.
Bonbon proved easy to fit. Corky's dressage saddle was pretty good on her, it just needed to be a little softer on the front panel, which was sorted with some new wool. We tried my other two saddles on her too, an Albion GP and a Bates, aussi stock saddle. The gp was a good fit, and after changing the gullet on the stock saddle, that was a good fit too. I'll probably never use them unless I decide to do some jumping (not very likely) or she starts throwing herself around, in which case the poleys on the stock saddle will be perfect for holding me in LOL.
I was so proud of my babies, they were so patient and well behaved through the whole process, saddles on, saddles off, me on, off etc. I expected it from Remy - Bonbon can be a little bit impatient, but she took it all in her stride.
Jim's happy too as he doesn't have to dust his wallet off, he was pretty worried after I told him the price of a new saddle!
I wasn't at my best as we'd attended the village 'do' yesterday which was an afternoon of eating and drinking, and drinking, and........... we had a great time, I haven't laughed so much in ages!
I made the appointment and the saddle fitter came out today and we spent a good few hours with Remy and Bonbon, fitting, flocking and changing gullets.
I'd warned Jim that I may need a new saddle for Remy, but we tried the Bates Isabell on him, and, after a couple of gullet changes to get the best possible result, the saddle fitter was really happy with it.
Bonbon proved easy to fit. Corky's dressage saddle was pretty good on her, it just needed to be a little softer on the front panel, which was sorted with some new wool. We tried my other two saddles on her too, an Albion GP and a Bates, aussi stock saddle. The gp was a good fit, and after changing the gullet on the stock saddle, that was a good fit too. I'll probably never use them unless I decide to do some jumping (not very likely) or she starts throwing herself around, in which case the poleys on the stock saddle will be perfect for holding me in LOL.
I was so proud of my babies, they were so patient and well behaved through the whole process, saddles on, saddles off, me on, off etc. I expected it from Remy - Bonbon can be a little bit impatient, but she took it all in her stride.
Jim's happy too as he doesn't have to dust his wallet off, he was pretty worried after I told him the price of a new saddle!
I wasn't at my best as we'd attended the village 'do' yesterday which was an afternoon of eating and drinking, and drinking, and........... we had a great time, I haven't laughed so much in ages!
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Windy weather
Not ridden in a few days, but back in the School with Remy this morning.
It's been windy for a few days too and today was no different. It's not the best weather to school a youngster (or any horse for that matter), but Remy, apart from wanting to keep his eye on the little wood, was pretty attentive.
I started with a little lunge session, I've been doing this recently just to warm him up and get him bending and relaxing. It's an M de J kind of session, first at walk asking for relaxation and even bend and then at trot trying to keep the same looseness and relaxation. There's not much power there, in fact it's quite a slow, underpowered trot, but it's working for Remy as he's starting to stretch and let go.
When I got on he was soft in his mouth immediately and we did some walk work including shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in on the circle, shoulder-in down the long side, a little travers and some reinback.
We then worked on trot transitions, some were good, some not so good, but all were responsive and we're heading in the right direction.
I've also been thinking about his saddle. I'm using it with a high wither suber pad, ensuring distribution of weight and that it won't cause him any problem, but I would really like to have a good saddle fitter to come and assess him. That may be easier said than done here in france, but I'll look into it. Having high withers and a curvy back will, I think, make him tricky to fit and I want to get it right.
I'm quite tempted by the new Heather Moffett flexible tree saddle, I'd just like to be able to try one first.
It's been windy for a few days too and today was no different. It's not the best weather to school a youngster (or any horse for that matter), but Remy, apart from wanting to keep his eye on the little wood, was pretty attentive.
I started with a little lunge session, I've been doing this recently just to warm him up and get him bending and relaxing. It's an M de J kind of session, first at walk asking for relaxation and even bend and then at trot trying to keep the same looseness and relaxation. There's not much power there, in fact it's quite a slow, underpowered trot, but it's working for Remy as he's starting to stretch and let go.
When I got on he was soft in his mouth immediately and we did some walk work including shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in on the circle, shoulder-in down the long side, a little travers and some reinback.
We then worked on trot transitions, some were good, some not so good, but all were responsive and we're heading in the right direction.
I've also been thinking about his saddle. I'm using it with a high wither suber pad, ensuring distribution of weight and that it won't cause him any problem, but I would really like to have a good saddle fitter to come and assess him. That may be easier said than done here in france, but I'll look into it. Having high withers and a curvy back will, I think, make him tricky to fit and I want to get it right.
I'm quite tempted by the new Heather Moffett flexible tree saddle, I'd just like to be able to try one first.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Thank you
A short continuation this morning of our trailer training. Front ramp up, both walked in, waited, then front ramp lowered and asked to walk off. Perfect. Next step, actually going somewhere. ;-)
I rode Remy in the school this afternoon. Not our usual routine but they were hanging around the gate so I brought them in and took Remy up to the school.
It was a short session, but a really rewarding one. I lunged him first, walk and trot on each rein and then got on. I can feel his ongoing acceptance and relaxation every time I ride him now, and after a short period of walk work I concentrated of some trot transitions. First, I asked him to release into reinback, and he really came together and on the walk forward it was a matter of thinking trot and he offered it. We tried a couple of transitions on each rein and for the first time he felt really 'up' in the trot, and soft in the hand. It wasn't a wow moment, it was more than that, it was a quiet, content, thank- you moment, and I think we have it now. It won't always be there, but, I think it will be there more and more often.
I love my boy!
I rode Remy in the school this afternoon. Not our usual routine but they were hanging around the gate so I brought them in and took Remy up to the school.
It was a short session, but a really rewarding one. I lunged him first, walk and trot on each rein and then got on. I can feel his ongoing acceptance and relaxation every time I ride him now, and after a short period of walk work I concentrated of some trot transitions. First, I asked him to release into reinback, and he really came together and on the walk forward it was a matter of thinking trot and he offered it. We tried a couple of transitions on each rein and for the first time he felt really 'up' in the trot, and soft in the hand. It wasn't a wow moment, it was more than that, it was a quiet, content, thank- you moment, and I think we have it now. It won't always be there, but, I think it will be there more and more often.
I love my boy!
Friday, 11 November 2011
Remy and Bonbon Trailer Training
No riding today, we hitched the trailer up on the yard and practiced our loading. I put the travelling boots on as I don't intend to travel them without, and Remys reaction was to plant his feet as if I'd strapped him to the ground. He soon got the hang of them though.
It's been a long time since we did any trailer training and he did his usual, suspicious walk around it, looking inside but not wanting to go in. Many people say it's a no-no to open up the front ramp, but it works for Rem and as soon as we did this he walked straight in. He doesn't try to rush out via the front ramp, he stands pretty calmly, so not a problem. We walked him in and out a few times, then put up the back ramp, closed the partition and closed the front ramp. All fine and calm. Tomorrow we'll try walking him in with the front ramp up.
Bonbon goose-stepped across the yard in her travelling boots, really funny, I wish we'd had the video cam at hand! I didn't expect a problem with her and we didn't have one, she just walked straight in without a second look. We took the same steps as with Remy without a problem and she took it all in her stride.
It's been a long time since we did any trailer training and he did his usual, suspicious walk around it, looking inside but not wanting to go in. Many people say it's a no-no to open up the front ramp, but it works for Rem and as soon as we did this he walked straight in. He doesn't try to rush out via the front ramp, he stands pretty calmly, so not a problem. We walked him in and out a few times, then put up the back ramp, closed the partition and closed the front ramp. All fine and calm. Tomorrow we'll try walking him in with the front ramp up.
Bonbon goose-stepped across the yard in her travelling boots, really funny, I wish we'd had the video cam at hand! I didn't expect a problem with her and we didn't have one, she just walked straight in without a second look. We took the same steps as with Remy without a problem and she took it all in her stride.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Spicy Fruit Loaf
I started with Bonbon in the school today. We continued where we left
off yesterday. Starting with a short lunge session, she was much
improved, calmer, no squealing and more focussed. We then did a little
in-hand, halt/walk transitions and then reinback to walk transitions. I
then got on and did a few circles on each rein with a few halt
transitions, and then asked for the halt/reinback/walk whilst ridden.
Good girl.
I then took Remy up to the school and worked at walk, concentrating on getting the release and relaxation. He was great today, it feels like it's all falling into place. He was responsive, balanced and soft in the hand. We worked a little on travers on the long side, both reins. Shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in on the circle both reins and his reinbacks were fluid and straight.
We then tried some trot transitions, some from the walk and some from the reinback. He's starting to put more effort into the transition, but he can't handle it and tenses and then starts to run. It's something for us to work on, he's really starting to relax into the walk work now and I think it's only a matter of time before he relaxes into the trot work.
We make our own bread, well we have a breadmaker that makes our bread, and after putting up with a rather unreliable one for 12 months we've bitten the bullet and bought a super-duper new panasonic one. I don't usually advertise products, but this really is a good machine. It makes brilliant bread and today I made a spicy fruit loaf which tastes delicious. I know we didn't make it by hand, but I'm still rather proud of it! We were sad enough to take a pic!
I then took Remy up to the school and worked at walk, concentrating on getting the release and relaxation. He was great today, it feels like it's all falling into place. He was responsive, balanced and soft in the hand. We worked a little on travers on the long side, both reins. Shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in on the circle both reins and his reinbacks were fluid and straight.
We then tried some trot transitions, some from the walk and some from the reinback. He's starting to put more effort into the transition, but he can't handle it and tenses and then starts to run. It's something for us to work on, he's really starting to relax into the walk work now and I think it's only a matter of time before he relaxes into the trot work.
We make our own bread, well we have a breadmaker that makes our bread, and after putting up with a rather unreliable one for 12 months we've bitten the bullet and bought a super-duper new panasonic one. I don't usually advertise products, but this really is a good machine. It makes brilliant bread and today I made a spicy fruit loaf which tastes delicious. I know we didn't make it by hand, but I'm still rather proud of it! We were sad enough to take a pic!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
In the school and on the tracks
A beautiful sunny day today. I took Bonbon in the school for a short lungeing session and a quick sit-on. She was a little distracted and had a couple of squeals when I asked her to trot on the lunge, but settled well and was a good girl when I got on. I asked for some flexions whilst at halt and then some very basic walk/halt transitions. Jim held the lunge line and I asked her to move around him on the circle which confused her at first as he's been leading us. However, she moved off from the halt when asked, but we got one step, then a halt, another step, another halt, but eventually we got a few strides and a nice halt when I asked, so left it there for today. She feels so different after riding Remy.
After the session with Bonbon, I took Remy out on the tracks. It's been a while and the last time we headed home quick sharp after he was spooked by a couple of shots in the wood.
Well, he was brilliant, needed to be more forward to start, but after a few hundred yards he became more enthusiastic and walked out like he meant business. We went through the little wood, across the road, a little look and a hesitation at the stone cutting place, and looking at different things along the way, but never saying no and always willing to go. We carried on further than we've been before, down a lovely grassy track, and stopped at the bottom for a short break under an apple tree, much to Remy's delight and he had little snack, totally happy and relaxed.
We came home with a mixture of strolling along on a long rein and up and together, well balanced with a lovely soft contact in the hand. I love those moments when he comes together and shows me just how powerful he can be. I don't want to be greedy but I really do want more please!!
I don't want to make out that I'm a big brave girl as Jim followed us on our ride, but he was fifty yards or so back and I really think we're getting to the point where I can start to take him out alone.
I need to restart his trailer training too and riding out with other horses, as we've been invited on several little randonnées which I'd really like to do.
After the session with Bonbon, I took Remy out on the tracks. It's been a while and the last time we headed home quick sharp after he was spooked by a couple of shots in the wood.
Well, he was brilliant, needed to be more forward to start, but after a few hundred yards he became more enthusiastic and walked out like he meant business. We went through the little wood, across the road, a little look and a hesitation at the stone cutting place, and looking at different things along the way, but never saying no and always willing to go. We carried on further than we've been before, down a lovely grassy track, and stopped at the bottom for a short break under an apple tree, much to Remy's delight and he had little snack, totally happy and relaxed.
We came home with a mixture of strolling along on a long rein and up and together, well balanced with a lovely soft contact in the hand. I love those moments when he comes together and shows me just how powerful he can be. I don't want to be greedy but I really do want more please!!
I don't want to make out that I'm a big brave girl as Jim followed us on our ride, but he was fifty yards or so back and I really think we're getting to the point where I can start to take him out alone.
I need to restart his trailer training too and riding out with other horses, as we've been invited on several little randonnées which I'd really like to do.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Improvement
In the school the last two days with Remy and his relaxation has improved with each session. He's giving me the release and then maintaining it for longer periods, soft in the mouth and soft through the neck. I let him extend the neck a little, but ask him to keep his head up for a short time and then give him a break to really stretch down. He still tests me to see that he can stretch down if he wants to, but this was much less today and he seems to be settling to it.
His reinback today felt very calm and well balanced and because he was more relaxed, he really seemed to come together and he gave me bigger steps. We tried some reinback to trot transitions into a pretty manageable trot, which is a big deal for us and then shoulder-in on each rein! I'm so excited by this, I really think we're starting to get it. I rode him home down the lane and he felt as light as a feather, his whole body underneath me.
I've got him some hoof boots - Boa's, not my first choice it has to be said, but the only ones that would give a good fit. I tried them today and they seem ok, didn't seem to bother him, in fact he seemed to be picking his feet up much better. I've got them for his hind feet as he's lazy and my sand school is very abrasive. He doesn't need them when we're hacking out so I'll only use them in the school. I was worried about the sand getting inside them, but they come complete with neoprene gaiters which seemed to work a treat. Anyway, we'll see how they go.
His reinback today felt very calm and well balanced and because he was more relaxed, he really seemed to come together and he gave me bigger steps. We tried some reinback to trot transitions into a pretty manageable trot, which is a big deal for us and then shoulder-in on each rein! I'm so excited by this, I really think we're starting to get it. I rode him home down the lane and he felt as light as a feather, his whole body underneath me.
I've got him some hoof boots - Boa's, not my first choice it has to be said, but the only ones that would give a good fit. I tried them today and they seem ok, didn't seem to bother him, in fact he seemed to be picking his feet up much better. I've got them for his hind feet as he's lazy and my sand school is very abrasive. He doesn't need them when we're hacking out so I'll only use them in the school. I was worried about the sand getting inside them, but they come complete with neoprene gaiters which seemed to work a treat. Anyway, we'll see how they go.
Friday, 4 November 2011
Release
I've been thinking about this for the last few days.
When I'm riding Remy I ask him to release all the time. I want him to relax his jaw, give his mouth and also relax totally through this neck, in other words to make himself completely vulnerable. Well, he doesn't do it. It's a big ask, so obviously, he has to be sure that I'm not going to abuse this most wonderful of gifts.
He relaxes his jaw when I ask from a lift to the corners of this mouth. I never pull back (try very hard never to pull back). As soon as he gives his mouth, I release the contact and allow him to extend his neck, or at least I thought I was doing this, but I realise I'm not doing it sufficiently/enough/correctly, whatever word fits the bill. What we have is a compromise - intermittent relaxation of the jaw, intermittent relaxation of the neck, but not a true, genuine 'giving'.
It's my fault, I'm slow to catch on, but over the last few days, I think I'm finally getting it. Hallelujah, says Remy!
I started in the stable a few days ago on a very wet, not fit for riding day. I took the bridle in and we did a few flexions. I stood at the girth and gently asked him to flex, then immediately gave and allowed him to stretch down. He started rather tentatively - he has this habit of flicking his lips when he's bothered by something - but as he realised that once he'd relaxed his jaw he could stretch down as much as he liked he started to relax and he became lighter and lighter, the muscles in his neck started to relax until they were lovely and soft and I could feel that he had really 'given'. Giving, without holding through his neck is a big thing for him and I need to assure him that he can do it and he's going to be ok.
The day after, I took him to the school and we did the same thing on the ground and then a few flexions mounted, allowing him to stretch immediately he relaxed his jaw. He really tested me on this, just making sure that he was free to stretch, but gradually we had the same soft, relaxed feeling I'd had on the ground. We left it there as it was a horribly blustery day and I was proud of the way he focussed on me when there were so many things to distract him.
Today, back in the school, same thing, and Remy at first really testing me, again making sure that he had the freedom to stretch, but gradually relaxing and settling, with a lovely soft feeling in the hand. I gave him lots of breaks to stretch, but inbetween there were moments that I find difficult to put into words, where he was in balance, motivated and the feeling in my hand was like holding air, a tangible energy and a delicate balancing act to try not to lose it. This training lark is so difficult and there are many things I don't know, but I know that for a few brief moments today, we were together!
When I'm riding Remy I ask him to release all the time. I want him to relax his jaw, give his mouth and also relax totally through this neck, in other words to make himself completely vulnerable. Well, he doesn't do it. It's a big ask, so obviously, he has to be sure that I'm not going to abuse this most wonderful of gifts.
He relaxes his jaw when I ask from a lift to the corners of this mouth. I never pull back (try very hard never to pull back). As soon as he gives his mouth, I release the contact and allow him to extend his neck, or at least I thought I was doing this, but I realise I'm not doing it sufficiently/enough/correctly, whatever word fits the bill. What we have is a compromise - intermittent relaxation of the jaw, intermittent relaxation of the neck, but not a true, genuine 'giving'.
It's my fault, I'm slow to catch on, but over the last few days, I think I'm finally getting it. Hallelujah, says Remy!
I started in the stable a few days ago on a very wet, not fit for riding day. I took the bridle in and we did a few flexions. I stood at the girth and gently asked him to flex, then immediately gave and allowed him to stretch down. He started rather tentatively - he has this habit of flicking his lips when he's bothered by something - but as he realised that once he'd relaxed his jaw he could stretch down as much as he liked he started to relax and he became lighter and lighter, the muscles in his neck started to relax until they were lovely and soft and I could feel that he had really 'given'. Giving, without holding through his neck is a big thing for him and I need to assure him that he can do it and he's going to be ok.
The day after, I took him to the school and we did the same thing on the ground and then a few flexions mounted, allowing him to stretch immediately he relaxed his jaw. He really tested me on this, just making sure that he was free to stretch, but gradually we had the same soft, relaxed feeling I'd had on the ground. We left it there as it was a horribly blustery day and I was proud of the way he focussed on me when there were so many things to distract him.
Today, back in the school, same thing, and Remy at first really testing me, again making sure that he had the freedom to stretch, but gradually relaxing and settling, with a lovely soft feeling in the hand. I gave him lots of breaks to stretch, but inbetween there were moments that I find difficult to put into words, where he was in balance, motivated and the feeling in my hand was like holding air, a tangible energy and a delicate balancing act to try not to lose it. This training lark is so difficult and there are many things I don't know, but I know that for a few brief moments today, we were together!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Starting travers
I didn't ride today as it was miserable and raining, but I took Remy into the school yesterday. It was an ok session, but he was a little tense, had a big spook at something and wasn't as relaxed as he has been.
We're just starting the travers so worked a little on that, with some shoulder-in and then practiced some reinback to trot transitions. I don't think he's doing too badly with the travers and seems to be understanding what I'm asking.
He was a little distracted today, but I realise that he needs to be rounder, much more relaxed through his neck and genuinely give his mouth. Of course that's down to me and I need to ride him better, pay more attention to my position and generally stop riding like a bag of spuds!!
Jim did a little vid.
We're just starting the travers so worked a little on that, with some shoulder-in and then practiced some reinback to trot transitions. I don't think he's doing too badly with the travers and seems to be understanding what I'm asking.
He was a little distracted today, but I realise that he needs to be rounder, much more relaxed through his neck and genuinely give his mouth. Of course that's down to me and I need to ride him better, pay more attention to my position and generally stop riding like a bag of spuds!!
Jim did a little vid.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Prickly
I set off up the track with Remy today, got as far as the little wood when a shot rang out through the trees. It scared Remy half to death and he jumped up a bank, spun round and started heading back towards home! I was about to turn him back when I heard another, so decided he was probably right and we should head for safety! The horses are used to the bangs of the chasse, but this, I think was an air rifle which makes a totally different sound that the horses are not familiar with.
He came back on a mission, a bit freaked, but perfectly behaved. What a good boy.
Not much of a ride so I carried on up to the school and we had 20 minutes in there, starting with some lateral work in walk and then practicing our trot transitions. When he's out on the tracks and motivated he feels great, it's made me very aware that I need to really get him working his hind legs as he's a bit lazy and doesn't pick them up as he should when working in the school. When he makes the effort I can really feel him coming together and some of the transitions today were good into a much better balanced trot.
I had a short ground work and lungeing session with Bonbon and I'm really enjoying working with her, but Jim wants to sell her. :-( Not sure what's going to happen there as he's made it quite clear that he's no real interest in the horses any more and he's not interested in helping me with Bonbon as it's always been his intention to sell her..........
I spent the afternoon, stringing electric fencing, clearing brambles and picking chestnuts. So between the brambles, chestnuts and bits of wire sticking out of the electric fencing, my fingers are ripped to bits!
Bit of an up and down day.
He came back on a mission, a bit freaked, but perfectly behaved. What a good boy.
Not much of a ride so I carried on up to the school and we had 20 minutes in there, starting with some lateral work in walk and then practicing our trot transitions. When he's out on the tracks and motivated he feels great, it's made me very aware that I need to really get him working his hind legs as he's a bit lazy and doesn't pick them up as he should when working in the school. When he makes the effort I can really feel him coming together and some of the transitions today were good into a much better balanced trot.
I had a short ground work and lungeing session with Bonbon and I'm really enjoying working with her, but Jim wants to sell her. :-( Not sure what's going to happen there as he's made it quite clear that he's no real interest in the horses any more and he's not interested in helping me with Bonbon as it's always been his intention to sell her..........
I spent the afternoon, stringing electric fencing, clearing brambles and picking chestnuts. So between the brambles, chestnuts and bits of wire sticking out of the electric fencing, my fingers are ripped to bits!
Bit of an up and down day.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Catch up
Catching up over the last week.
I've started lungeing Remy again with lots of transitions walk to trot aiming for a relaxed, soft, easy trot. He's getting it. I'm going to get the poles out, get him to pick up his lazy back legs!
He seems to be over his mouth problem and he's now sucking in the bit when offered, as he was before.
I tried him in Corkys saddle today. I just wasn't totally happy riding him in the bates, which is a 17 1/2 inch with quite a flat panel and not totally suited to his shape, although it seemed perfectly fine used with the suber pad. I re-tried the lexington barefoot again and it just didn't feel right, perhaps just because I've got used riding a treed saddle again, but it felt like I couldn't get my leg on properly, it just felt held-off. I tried corkys saddle on him and it seemed a better fit. It's a 17inch, with a cut-back head which accomodates his high wither and a slightly more curved panel which accomodates his curvy back. I took him in the school to try it and he seemed quicker to relax, and seemed happier and softer in the lateral work. I asked for a couple of rein-backs and he offered a trot transition straight from the reinback each time, so I schooled him in the trot from the reinback and they were light, soft and well balanced transitions. We really seem to be making progress. Hopefully not a fluke, we'll see how it goes.
Bonbon's continuing to be a sweetie, we've been doing some ground work and lungeing and she's starting to settle to the work.
It's been an expensive week, the brushcutter packed in, so a big bill from the repair shop and Elfin ripped a hole in Obi's side 'playing' down the field, so no doubt a big bill to come from the vets.
I've started lungeing Remy again with lots of transitions walk to trot aiming for a relaxed, soft, easy trot. He's getting it. I'm going to get the poles out, get him to pick up his lazy back legs!
He seems to be over his mouth problem and he's now sucking in the bit when offered, as he was before.
I tried him in Corkys saddle today. I just wasn't totally happy riding him in the bates, which is a 17 1/2 inch with quite a flat panel and not totally suited to his shape, although it seemed perfectly fine used with the suber pad. I re-tried the lexington barefoot again and it just didn't feel right, perhaps just because I've got used riding a treed saddle again, but it felt like I couldn't get my leg on properly, it just felt held-off. I tried corkys saddle on him and it seemed a better fit. It's a 17inch, with a cut-back head which accomodates his high wither and a slightly more curved panel which accomodates his curvy back. I took him in the school to try it and he seemed quicker to relax, and seemed happier and softer in the lateral work. I asked for a couple of rein-backs and he offered a trot transition straight from the reinback each time, so I schooled him in the trot from the reinback and they were light, soft and well balanced transitions. We really seem to be making progress. Hopefully not a fluke, we'll see how it goes.
Bonbon's continuing to be a sweetie, we've been doing some ground work and lungeing and she's starting to settle to the work.
It's been an expensive week, the brushcutter packed in, so a big bill from the repair shop and Elfin ripped a hole in Obi's side 'playing' down the field, so no doubt a big bill to come from the vets.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Ups and downs
Thanks for your comments guys on my truly pathetic post yesterday. I really wasn't having a go at Rem, in all honesty, he's pretty fab, just my inability to deal with the situation sensibly at the time, and letting my hormones and emotions get the better of me.
Today was much better, I wanted it to be a confidence boosting exercise for Remy, no great expectations, I was happy to accept what he offered and calmly deal with any problems. Well, he was pretty bloody great. He set off with some purpose and just kept going. Jim followed about hundred yds back and came up once when we crossed the main road and once to accompany us past the stone cutting shed. We were out for over an hour, we went right up to the little stud just outside the village where Remy was very interested in the horses grazing in the far fields. We turned for home there and he was a little reluctant to leave them and as we headed back started whinnying.
As we neared home he really was on a mission, so I asked him for lots of walk/halt transitions, sometimes with a couple of steps of reinback and it was such a nice feeling as he came up and together, and really soft into my hand. The last few hundred yards I gave him a long rein and it felt like a tidal wave as he really opened up the walk stride. Ups and downs eh, well, today was definitely an 'up'.
A short session with Bonbon in-hand, and she was very sweet. She's a quick learner and I enjoyed our session today. Walk/halt transitions, shoulder-fore on the circle both reins, and a little bit of rein-back.
We spent the afternoon doing the fence in the bottom field, so a busy day and I'm cream crackered now!
Today was much better, I wanted it to be a confidence boosting exercise for Remy, no great expectations, I was happy to accept what he offered and calmly deal with any problems. Well, he was pretty bloody great. He set off with some purpose and just kept going. Jim followed about hundred yds back and came up once when we crossed the main road and once to accompany us past the stone cutting shed. We were out for over an hour, we went right up to the little stud just outside the village where Remy was very interested in the horses grazing in the far fields. We turned for home there and he was a little reluctant to leave them and as we headed back started whinnying.
As we neared home he really was on a mission, so I asked him for lots of walk/halt transitions, sometimes with a couple of steps of reinback and it was such a nice feeling as he came up and together, and really soft into my hand. The last few hundred yards I gave him a long rein and it felt like a tidal wave as he really opened up the walk stride. Ups and downs eh, well, today was definitely an 'up'.
A short session with Bonbon in-hand, and she was very sweet. She's a quick learner and I enjoyed our session today. Walk/halt transitions, shoulder-fore on the circle both reins, and a little bit of rein-back.
We spent the afternoon doing the fence in the bottom field, so a busy day and I'm cream crackered now!
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
:-(
Well, it's a bad day, hormones, age, taking it personally, overreacting, totally pathetic, ridiculous behaviour for a woman of my age!
Remy didn't want to go this morning, stopped at the neighbours when he saw him up a ladder trimming the vine and refused to go forward. It's understandable, the rational part of me knows that. I'm pushing him out of his comfort zone, and he's a little worried about things. Paul led him past and we continued on up the track, through the wood to the road.. He was ok and Jim met us at the road. We crossed the road, but then he refused to go again, backing up, shaking his head. I got so annoyed with him, annoyed at myself for losing my patience, annoyed at myself for taking it so personally. Am I so naive to expect him never to say no, all horses go through this, don't they? But I feel myself getting impatient, I want to tack up, just go for a hack, have fun!! I think I've been fair with him, taken it slowly. Perhaps I've taken it too slowly, not done enough, not shown him enough. God, I don't know, I think perhaps, I'm too bloody old, too bloody sick of doing it on my own, and perhaps I just don't want it enough.
Anyway, I got angry and frustrated, The only redeeming thing about it was that I didn't take it out on him. I got firm with him, but let him work it out, letting him halt, but then asking him again to go forward.
The thing is, after a few minutes of working it out, he did go, in fact he went marvelously, we carried on and went for another km or so, down the lanes towards the village, tracks he'd never been on before, and although he was looking at things he kept going forward.
So why am I focussing on the bad things? All-in -all, after a sticky start, he was pretty good today. Someone on a forum I go on said it only a few days ago, it's so easy to get frustrated when it means so much.
I really need to get things into perspective, it seems like a tall order at the moment.
Remy didn't want to go this morning, stopped at the neighbours when he saw him up a ladder trimming the vine and refused to go forward. It's understandable, the rational part of me knows that. I'm pushing him out of his comfort zone, and he's a little worried about things. Paul led him past and we continued on up the track, through the wood to the road.. He was ok and Jim met us at the road. We crossed the road, but then he refused to go again, backing up, shaking his head. I got so annoyed with him, annoyed at myself for losing my patience, annoyed at myself for taking it so personally. Am I so naive to expect him never to say no, all horses go through this, don't they? But I feel myself getting impatient, I want to tack up, just go for a hack, have fun!! I think I've been fair with him, taken it slowly. Perhaps I've taken it too slowly, not done enough, not shown him enough. God, I don't know, I think perhaps, I'm too bloody old, too bloody sick of doing it on my own, and perhaps I just don't want it enough.
Anyway, I got angry and frustrated, The only redeeming thing about it was that I didn't take it out on him. I got firm with him, but let him work it out, letting him halt, but then asking him again to go forward.
The thing is, after a few minutes of working it out, he did go, in fact he went marvelously, we carried on and went for another km or so, down the lanes towards the village, tracks he'd never been on before, and although he was looking at things he kept going forward.
So why am I focussing on the bad things? All-in -all, after a sticky start, he was pretty good today. Someone on a forum I go on said it only a few days ago, it's so easy to get frustrated when it means so much.
I really need to get things into perspective, it seems like a tall order at the moment.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Remy says no
For the first time, today out on a hack he wouldn't go down the track, stopped, planted his feet, tried to turn round and shook his head decisively. I've never felt a 'no' in him, but it was there today.
Everything looked fine to me, but for some reason he was worried enough to stick to his guns.
We had to continue, I really couldn't allow him to decide to turn round so we waited at halt for a while until he relaxed a little and then I asked him again. I had to ask him a few times, halting and waiting in-between until he decided he could go, but when he went that was decisive also and he went on with purpose. He came home very forward, but quite edgy and jumpy, we halted several times on the way back and although he really just wanted to keep going, he listened and stood quietly.
By the time we approached the neighbours he was chilling a little, until he saw some new logs at the side of the barn, he huffed and puffed at them, but went up to have a look and a sniff.
Jim had come out to look for us as we'd been gone quite a while by this time and Rem stood quite happily as we chatted with the neighbour.
I don't think he lost confidence today, I'm hoping that he's gained some.
If Jim had been with us, despite his worry, I think Remy would have followed him, but now he knows that he can do it with just the two of us. Well, I hope that's how he sees it! We'll see.
Everything looked fine to me, but for some reason he was worried enough to stick to his guns.
We had to continue, I really couldn't allow him to decide to turn round so we waited at halt for a while until he relaxed a little and then I asked him again. I had to ask him a few times, halting and waiting in-between until he decided he could go, but when he went that was decisive also and he went on with purpose. He came home very forward, but quite edgy and jumpy, we halted several times on the way back and although he really just wanted to keep going, he listened and stood quietly.
By the time we approached the neighbours he was chilling a little, until he saw some new logs at the side of the barn, he huffed and puffed at them, but went up to have a look and a sniff.
Jim had come out to look for us as we'd been gone quite a while by this time and Rem stood quite happily as we chatted with the neighbour.
I don't think he lost confidence today, I'm hoping that he's gained some.
If Jim had been with us, despite his worry, I think Remy would have followed him, but now he knows that he can do it with just the two of us. Well, I hope that's how he sees it! We'll see.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Dentist time
We had a day off on Sunday, but back in the school yesterday with Remy. Something was going on in his mouth, he was working ok, but over-salivating.
We worked at walk on figures of eights, shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in, which he managed ok, and on squares, shoulder-in to travers, which was tricky,but the travers is definitely improving.
His rein-back is becoming more fluid and straighter, he doesn't seem to be throwing his inside hind out like he did.
His trot transitions were pretty good, more active into a better balanced trot, which he managed to keep for longer. All-in-all a really good session.
It couldn't have been better timing as the equine dentist was booked in for today. He seemed to think that the recently erupted wolf tooth may be causing problems as it had become very sharp. He smoothed it back to the gum, so, for now it will be fine - we'll see if it needs any more attention next appointment. Apart from that, he gave Remy a clean bill of dental health, so we'll see how he is next time I ride.
A really great session with Bonbon yesterday, sitting-on with Jim leading her, circles on both reins, lots of halt and walk transitions. She was really attentive and responsive in my hand. First attempt at reinback, which was nice and soft. Really pleased with her.
A little star also with the dentist, calm and relaxed (well, as relaxed as she could be with a bloody great chunk of metal holding her jaws open!), I'm so proud of her, little sweetie.
We worked at walk on figures of eights, shoulder-in to counter shoulder-in, which he managed ok, and on squares, shoulder-in to travers, which was tricky,but the travers is definitely improving.
His rein-back is becoming more fluid and straighter, he doesn't seem to be throwing his inside hind out like he did.
His trot transitions were pretty good, more active into a better balanced trot, which he managed to keep for longer. All-in-all a really good session.
It couldn't have been better timing as the equine dentist was booked in for today. He seemed to think that the recently erupted wolf tooth may be causing problems as it had become very sharp. He smoothed it back to the gum, so, for now it will be fine - we'll see if it needs any more attention next appointment. Apart from that, he gave Remy a clean bill of dental health, so we'll see how he is next time I ride.
A really great session with Bonbon yesterday, sitting-on with Jim leading her, circles on both reins, lots of halt and walk transitions. She was really attentive and responsive in my hand. First attempt at reinback, which was nice and soft. Really pleased with her.
A little star also with the dentist, calm and relaxed (well, as relaxed as she could be with a bloody great chunk of metal holding her jaws open!), I'm so proud of her, little sweetie.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Cold!!
Cold today, a shock to the system! It's too soon for cold weather, bring back the sunshine please.
I took Remy to the school, warmed him up in walk on a long rein, lots of changes of bend. Then onto small circles, asking for softness through the neck into my hand, letting him extend and relax, some shoulder-in and turn around the quarters trying to keep the softness. Lots of rest breaks then into some rein-back, which was very good today with a real feeling of coming together, the walk forward being full of energy but staying soft. Onto some trot work, transitions from shoulder-in and reinback. Lots of energy, more than I could handle at times, need to have manageable energy without losing control and balance. A mixed bag today, some really nice stuff, but the trot work was a bit all over the place. Nevertheless, I got the urge to canter, so before we finished I asked for a canter transition and although he gave me a few trot strides first, we cantered - our first canter ever. I was pretty chuffed, but have the feeling it was too soon, don't know if it was, but just feel that way. Am I jumping the gun, should we be working on the canter when the trot's so far off being balanced? LOL - out of my comfort zone again!
I took Remy to the school, warmed him up in walk on a long rein, lots of changes of bend. Then onto small circles, asking for softness through the neck into my hand, letting him extend and relax, some shoulder-in and turn around the quarters trying to keep the softness. Lots of rest breaks then into some rein-back, which was very good today with a real feeling of coming together, the walk forward being full of energy but staying soft. Onto some trot work, transitions from shoulder-in and reinback. Lots of energy, more than I could handle at times, need to have manageable energy without losing control and balance. A mixed bag today, some really nice stuff, but the trot work was a bit all over the place. Nevertheless, I got the urge to canter, so before we finished I asked for a canter transition and although he gave me a few trot strides first, we cantered - our first canter ever. I was pretty chuffed, but have the feeling it was too soon, don't know if it was, but just feel that way. Am I jumping the gun, should we be working on the canter when the trot's so far off being balanced? LOL - out of my comfort zone again!
Friday, 7 October 2011
New tracks
A good morning. I took Remy out for a hack, Jim was to meet us at the road, but when we got there a farmer was going up and down with his tractor directly opposite. Not wanting to create an issue, I doubled back and took Remy down a new track, it doesn't really go anywhere, sort of peters out, but as he'd never been down there I thought it would be good for him. He was great, really striding out, looking at things but really thinking forward. Couldn't have been better.
We then tacked up Bonbon and took her to the school. She's not been up there in a while, but she was good - a little in-hand, walk and trot and then a short sit-on.
We practiced a few flexions at halt and then Jim led her around on a circle on both reins, interspersed with halt and first attempts at reinback mounted. She was pretty cool about it, starting to stretch out and soft in my hand. I started to think about where I was placing my weight and she responded really well. She'd been so well behaved that we walked her back down the lane home.
We then tacked up Bonbon and took her to the school. She's not been up there in a while, but she was good - a little in-hand, walk and trot and then a short sit-on.
We practiced a few flexions at halt and then Jim led her around on a circle on both reins, interspersed with halt and first attempts at reinback mounted. She was pretty cool about it, starting to stretch out and soft in my hand. I started to think about where I was placing my weight and she responded really well. She'd been so well behaved that we walked her back down the lane home.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Autumn Leaves
A bit overcast this morning, quite a nice change after all the hot weather and fewer flies!
I took Remy in the school, working on trot transitions with more activity which he's giving me, and staying soft and round for longer before he starts to lose balance. Also continued working on the quarters-in and he's getting the hang of it now. We managed quite a nice travers up the long side, alternating with shoulder-in. Tried travers on the circle, which according to some, should be easier, we got a few steps, but I find it quite difficult, mainly because I lose my place and can't keep the circle. I'll have to get a piece of string and scribe a small circle into the sand so that I know where I am. LOL
We've been saddling Bonbon up every day, just to get her to accept it without getting worrying and getting snazzy. Whether it was her season or not, I don't know, but she's coming round a little.
I groom her, saddle up, a little in-hand and then a short sit-on, which is going ok. Jim leads her round the circle and today she was calm and attentive. We practiced some flexions mounted and for the first time, she stretched out into my hand.
It rained most of the afternoon, the leaves are all turning now and we're losing the summer. Although it's very beautiful this time of year I always feel a little sad that another summer is over and winter will soon be upon us.
I took Remy in the school, working on trot transitions with more activity which he's giving me, and staying soft and round for longer before he starts to lose balance. Also continued working on the quarters-in and he's getting the hang of it now. We managed quite a nice travers up the long side, alternating with shoulder-in. Tried travers on the circle, which according to some, should be easier, we got a few steps, but I find it quite difficult, mainly because I lose my place and can't keep the circle. I'll have to get a piece of string and scribe a small circle into the sand so that I know where I am. LOL
We've been saddling Bonbon up every day, just to get her to accept it without getting worrying and getting snazzy. Whether it was her season or not, I don't know, but she's coming round a little.
I groom her, saddle up, a little in-hand and then a short sit-on, which is going ok. Jim leads her round the circle and today she was calm and attentive. We practiced some flexions mounted and for the first time, she stretched out into my hand.
It rained most of the afternoon, the leaves are all turning now and we're losing the summer. Although it's very beautiful this time of year I always feel a little sad that another summer is over and winter will soon be upon us.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Hacking!!
We spent a couple of hours down the field this morning re-stringing the fence so it was going up to twelve before I thought about riding. I wanted to take Remy out for a hack and thought lunchtime would be good (less traffic about, total french population home for lunch) so off we went. Jim followed as he wanted a walk (to keep an eye on me, I think), so we went through the little wood to the road and he made sure there was no traffic so we could cross and then we continued on past the small lake, past the stone cutting place and down the lane towards the village. Remy was on his toes, very active and huffing and puffing, but apart from a couple of little spooky jumps, he was brilliant. I felt brilliant too, it's what I've wanted for so long, to actually hack my boy out. At times he stretched and relaxed his neck and was so soft in my hand it was like all my birthdays had come at once. He was great coming home too, no rushing, just nice and forward. Oh, nearly forgot - the leccy fence has gone too, Yippee!
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Tick v.g.
Back in the school with Remy today. Starting with relaxing the neck with a soft contact in the hand, small circles with lots of changes of rein, then allowing him to stretch and walk out. Back to a little shoulder-in on the circle and turn around the quarters. Then some trot transitions, asking for bend and relaxation of the neck into a transition. Then trot from reinback asking for more activity. The trot was a little more active today and felt a little better balanced. We did more work on starting travers, he's getting the hang of it, and finished alternating shoulder-in to travers down the long side on each rein. Lots and lots to work on, but seeing gradual improvement in his comprehension and suppleness.
Bonbon was a sweetie today, a little unsure as I tightened the girth, but we took it calmly and slowly and she relaxed into it. A short session on the yard in-hand, both reins, nice relaxation through the neck, a little shoulder-in, some reinback and then a short sit-on. We practised a few flexions mounted and then walked a few steps on both reins. Much better, tick v.g!
Bonbon was a sweetie today, a little unsure as I tightened the girth, but we took it calmly and slowly and she relaxed into it. A short session on the yard in-hand, both reins, nice relaxation through the neck, a little shoulder-in, some reinback and then a short sit-on. We practised a few flexions mounted and then walked a few steps on both reins. Much better, tick v.g!
Monday, 3 October 2011
Moody mare
A short hack up the track with Remy today. He huffed and puffed at a guy cleaning up a few leftover heads of maize in the middle of his field, but went past undaunted. He was on a mission again coming home - oh I love that feeling, and if we're going to activate his back end, this is going to help no end!
Bonbon was a little cow - pmt, I think! I put the saddle on and as I tightened it up she shot backwards and upwards, not nice at all! I'm not sure what we'll do, I suppose we'll go with it and carry on, see what happens. I took her onto the yard and walk and trotted her around until she settled. She was squealing, and throwing her head at me, but nothing huge. As we were finishing, an airforce jet came over and both Jim and I wanted to run for cover, it was flying so low and making a hell of a noise. Bonbon jumped backwards, but then stood quietly without a murmur - she can be a very good girl. She seemed calm enough so I had a little sit-on, no problems so walked a few strides and then got off and left it on a good note.
Bonbon was a little cow - pmt, I think! I put the saddle on and as I tightened it up she shot backwards and upwards, not nice at all! I'm not sure what we'll do, I suppose we'll go with it and carry on, see what happens. I took her onto the yard and walk and trotted her around until she settled. She was squealing, and throwing her head at me, but nothing huge. As we were finishing, an airforce jet came over and both Jim and I wanted to run for cover, it was flying so low and making a hell of a noise. Bonbon jumped backwards, but then stood quietly without a murmur - she can be a very good girl. She seemed calm enough so I had a little sit-on, no problems so walked a few strides and then got off and left it on a good note.
Sunday, 2 October 2011
'knowing the hand'
I've had a couple of bridle sessions with Bonbon the last two days and she's really starting to release and extend and relax her neck now. She's starting to 'know' the hand and accept it.
In the school with Remy, continuing on from the last session, paying particular attention to the release and relaxation through his neck, keeping the softness into the hand.
Trying to keep him attentive with a quicker reaction and more activity in the hind legs. We had some nice trot transitions, staying soft, but a little more oomph to the trot.Lots of changes of bend, some nice relaxed turns around the quarters and a little light-bulb moment for both of us (well, perhaps more for me, to be honest) when asking for quarters-in off the corner as he responded nicely to a slight shift of my weight to the inside and slightly to the inside hind (if that makes sense). As usual, he tells me when I'm getting it right ( I really need to do that more often!)!
In the school with Remy, continuing on from the last session, paying particular attention to the release and relaxation through his neck, keeping the softness into the hand.
Trying to keep him attentive with a quicker reaction and more activity in the hind legs. We had some nice trot transitions, staying soft, but a little more oomph to the trot.Lots of changes of bend, some nice relaxed turns around the quarters and a little light-bulb moment for both of us (well, perhaps more for me, to be honest) when asking for quarters-in off the corner as he responded nicely to a slight shift of my weight to the inside and slightly to the inside hind (if that makes sense). As usual, he tells me when I'm getting it right ( I really need to do that more often!)!
Friday, 30 September 2011
Shake up
Trudi came over yesterday to help me with Remy and it was really good to have a new perspective on things. Today we worked on some of the things covered yesterday, fully relaxing through the neck as he's tending to hold himself a little, more trot transitions and keeping the trot for longer and moving him around in figures of eights, letting him use and balance himself,asking for softness by lifting the inside rein.
We also did our usual lateral work in walk, a bit of shoulder-in and turn around the quarters on each rein, quarters-in off the corner and we got some nice relaxed work.
I was out of my comfort zone yesterday, but I've been working alone for a long time and I needed a shake up and it was good for me, so thanks Trudi. I've got new things to incorporate into our work now.
We also did our usual lateral work in walk, a bit of shoulder-in and turn around the quarters on each rein, quarters-in off the corner and we got some nice relaxed work.
I was out of my comfort zone yesterday, but I've been working alone for a long time and I needed a shake up and it was good for me, so thanks Trudi. I've got new things to incorporate into our work now.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
One of those days
A day to write off, I think. I did ride, but it probably wasn't a good idea, I was totally uncoordinated and quickly became very irritated with myself. Not at the boy, he was his usual obliging self and I'm bloody lucky to have him! Needless to say, it was a short session.
Hopefully, I'll be better tomorrow!
Hopefully, I'll be better tomorrow!
Monday, 26 September 2011
Just me and the boy
I took Remy up the track again today, just me and him, Jim usually follows us, but today it was just us. Remy was great! We went to the road and back, past the cows and past the leccy fence.
We took Bonbon up to the school, just a little in-hand, walk and a little trot. She wasn't in sparkling form and a little bit scotty, not sure what was going on, but the flies certainly were'nt helping. I got on, and while she wasn't sniping at Jim like the last time, she wasn't wholly happy. Jim led her around several circles on each rein with lots of halts and walk transitions and she settled to finish on a good note.
The wheels arrived today so hoping to get the car back on the road.
We took Bonbon up to the school, just a little in-hand, walk and a little trot. She wasn't in sparkling form and a little bit scotty, not sure what was going on, but the flies certainly were'nt helping. I got on, and while she wasn't sniping at Jim like the last time, she wasn't wholly happy. Jim led her around several circles on each rein with lots of halts and walk transitions and she settled to finish on a good note.
The wheels arrived today so hoping to get the car back on the road.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Fantastic attitude
Gareth came yesterday to trim the horses so didn't get to do anything with them.
Their feet are doing fine and Remy's showing no discomfort when I'm riding him on the tracks so I'm hoping that will continue, although there's always the option of getting some boots for him in the future. Bonbon's had a problem in one of her frogs, a deep central sulcus which I've been trying to keep clean. It's improving now and her frogs are looking much stronger. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it that way going into winter.
It was hot this morning with lots of flies, but I had a cracking session in the school with Remy. Mainly walk, one or two trot transitions, but mainly focussing on lateral work in walk. Shoulder-in on the circle, both reins, bearing in mind what Trudi said about having too much bend and losing the outside shoulder on the left rein. Aware of not taking too much bend and controlling the shoulder with my knee and thigh, the shoulder-in felt more secure and stable. On the right rein, comfirming her other observation that it doesn't feel as easy, but as he's starting to lift the inside shoulder, it's developing into a more correct movement, with the outside shoulder being more stable on this rein. She's a clever clogs - thanks Trudi!!
Turn around the quarters on both reins, much more fluid on the right rein today, I think he's realised that he can do it.
I want to start quarters in, and today I tried keeping the quarters through the corner onto the long side with varying results - one or two strides before he started to question it and tense up a little. I'm happy with that though, I'll take one or two strides until he realises that he can do it and stays relaxed. I'll try it on the circle next session.
My boy has such a fantastic attitude and I love him for it, I can only hope that I'm not letting him down and that I'm taking him down the correct road with his training.
Their feet are doing fine and Remy's showing no discomfort when I'm riding him on the tracks so I'm hoping that will continue, although there's always the option of getting some boots for him in the future. Bonbon's had a problem in one of her frogs, a deep central sulcus which I've been trying to keep clean. It's improving now and her frogs are looking much stronger. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it that way going into winter.
It was hot this morning with lots of flies, but I had a cracking session in the school with Remy. Mainly walk, one or two trot transitions, but mainly focussing on lateral work in walk. Shoulder-in on the circle, both reins, bearing in mind what Trudi said about having too much bend and losing the outside shoulder on the left rein. Aware of not taking too much bend and controlling the shoulder with my knee and thigh, the shoulder-in felt more secure and stable. On the right rein, comfirming her other observation that it doesn't feel as easy, but as he's starting to lift the inside shoulder, it's developing into a more correct movement, with the outside shoulder being more stable on this rein. She's a clever clogs - thanks Trudi!!
Turn around the quarters on both reins, much more fluid on the right rein today, I think he's realised that he can do it.
I want to start quarters in, and today I tried keeping the quarters through the corner onto the long side with varying results - one or two strides before he started to question it and tense up a little. I'm happy with that though, I'll take one or two strides until he realises that he can do it and stays relaxed. I'll try it on the circle next session.
My boy has such a fantastic attitude and I love him for it, I can only hope that I'm not letting him down and that I'm taking him down the correct road with his training.
Friday, 23 September 2011
Up the track and......
....continued on over the main road. Yay, what a good boy he was. Calm and forward, inquisitive and interested. Jim came with us which I'm sure helped both of us, but i feel great about how he behaved. We were out about 40 minutes and I loved it. We did a little shoulder in past the leccy fence :-)
We then took Bonbon up to the school and I sat on for the first time in ages. Jim led her around on the right rein and she was fine, but then on the left rein she got a bit snaky and ears back started snapping at him. I felt pretty secure up there, her behaviour didn't seem to be aimed at me, but very strange behaviour, even for Bonbon who's certainly got her own ideas about the way things are supposed to be, so I got off. We checked the saddle which seemed to be fine, nothing under the pad that could have been irritating her. The flies were bad, but I don't think it was that. Jim walked her around without me on and she was fine, so I got back on and we tried again. She did settle and we left it on a good note. I did wonder if she was coming in season and this evening she was sniffing and squealing at Remy so I think perhaps that she is. Hehe, moody mares eh, poor little thing must have been feeling a bit bloated and weary. LOL We'll see how she is tomorrow.
We then took Bonbon up to the school and I sat on for the first time in ages. Jim led her around on the right rein and she was fine, but then on the left rein she got a bit snaky and ears back started snapping at him. I felt pretty secure up there, her behaviour didn't seem to be aimed at me, but very strange behaviour, even for Bonbon who's certainly got her own ideas about the way things are supposed to be, so I got off. We checked the saddle which seemed to be fine, nothing under the pad that could have been irritating her. The flies were bad, but I don't think it was that. Jim walked her around without me on and she was fine, so I got back on and we tried again. She did settle and we left it on a good note. I did wonder if she was coming in season and this evening she was sniffing and squealing at Remy so I think perhaps that she is. Hehe, moody mares eh, poor little thing must have been feeling a bit bloated and weary. LOL We'll see how she is tomorrow.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Up the track....
.... this morning with Remy. It was a little breezy, but bright and sunny and I felt in the mood to do it! We stopped at the neighbours house so that he could investigate the back box off a tractor and an enormous vat being readied for the wine crop. He was a little jumpy, but didn't give me any cause for concern He walked calmly past the electric fence ( phew!) and checked the cows out all without any problem, went through the little wood and halted and waited patiently just before the road. The farmers were busy getting the maize crop in and were going up and down the road, but he was fine with it. He came home on a mission, but stayed calm and we got a nice, relaxed, but forward walk.
I went in the school yesterday and although we were really bothered by flies he was a good boy and was pretty focussed.
I went in the school yesterday and although we were really bothered by flies he was a good boy and was pretty focussed.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Brill!
We've been busy the last couple of days chain harrowing and seeding our top field and fixing the fence on the side where next doors cows have been pushing to get some grass. It's hard work!
I had a lovely session in the school with Remy this morning. We started on a long rein with a nice active walk, soft in the hand on both reins. Then walk/rein-back/walk into small circles left and right and after a break on a long rein, shoulder-in on the circle and turn around the quarters on both reins. We then worked on trot transitions with good impulsion but staying nice and soft and round. He's getting nice transitions on the left, but still sticky on the right so tried transition to trot in the corner after shoulder-in on the long side. This worked great, helped to keep him up off my inside leg and kept a nice soft bend through the corner. His balance is improving in the trot too and he's able to keep a nice rhythm for longer. When we'd finished I rode him home and had a nice trot up the lane. Brill!
I had a lovely session in the school with Remy this morning. We started on a long rein with a nice active walk, soft in the hand on both reins. Then walk/rein-back/walk into small circles left and right and after a break on a long rein, shoulder-in on the circle and turn around the quarters on both reins. We then worked on trot transitions with good impulsion but staying nice and soft and round. He's getting nice transitions on the left, but still sticky on the right so tried transition to trot in the corner after shoulder-in on the long side. This worked great, helped to keep him up off my inside leg and kept a nice soft bend through the corner. His balance is improving in the trot too and he's able to keep a nice rhythm for longer. When we'd finished I rode him home and had a nice trot up the lane. Brill!
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Need a tractor!
I didn't ride up the track today, but I rode to the school and back again. It was a good session in the school, we worked in walk first, loosening up on a fairly long rein, then halt, rein-back walk, with emphasis into walk with right bend which seemed to get him off the inside shoulder. We then did shoulder-in on the circle on both reins and turn around the quarters on both reins, with a noticed improvement on the right rein.
Before finishing we practiced a few trot transitions trying to keep the softness in the hand, some from reinback and some from leg yield on the circle. We're getting a much improved response now when I ask him to move his quarters which is good because he's a little sticky sometimes and I'm starting to get a much more comfortable feel on the right rein. Not like the left, but getting there, I think.
We spent the afternoon down the field tidying up the fencing after having someone come and top all the brambles, it's amazing how much more field we have now! It all needs keeping on top of now, so we really must think about getting a tractor. We have two in England, not much good to us there!!
Before finishing we practiced a few trot transitions trying to keep the softness in the hand, some from reinback and some from leg yield on the circle. We're getting a much improved response now when I ask him to move his quarters which is good because he's a little sticky sometimes and I'm starting to get a much more comfortable feel on the right rein. Not like the left, but getting there, I think.
We spent the afternoon down the field tidying up the fencing after having someone come and top all the brambles, it's amazing how much more field we have now! It all needs keeping on top of now, so we really must think about getting a tractor. We have two in England, not much good to us there!!
Saturday, 17 September 2011
A Little Wobble
I had a short session on the yard with Remy, walk on the circle asking for soft, even bend and then shoulder-in on each rein, nice and slow concentrating on each step.. A very short session before I took him out on the track.
I wanted to take him up the track towards the little wood as we've not been up there recently. He was a little jumpy but I expected him to be having a good look around as we've not been up there in a while. The farmer had put up his electric fence at the side of the track and some cows in there which Remy hadn't seen before. He was looking, but he's such a good boy and to be honest, he wasn't worrying me too much it was the bloody electric fence that had got me worried. We got past it and he was on his toes, not too much of a problem, we practised a little sideways and regular halts to keep him thinking and by the time we got through the wood he was much calmer, not completely relaxed but ok.
Coming home he was really on a mission and while I like the forward I don't want the rushing so I sat up and thought slow with my seat, which worked well, it just felt that I had a whole lot of horse underneath me. Coming back towards the fence, the farmer had arrived with tractor and trailer to refill his water troughs, so Remy was looking at that, and to be fair he wanted to march up and investigate, but the bloody fence was just at the side of us and it was freaking me out. I didn't panic, at least I don't think it was panic, but I suddenly felt very nervous about the fact that I was responsible for this young horse and it was up to me to be calm and to give him confidence. I felt old and inadequate. He deserves better, because, he never really gives me a reason to be worried and I was letting him down. A wobble, definitely, and it came out of nowhere and took me by surprise and it's not like he took off with me or anything, which somehow makes it worse and a definite over-reaction on my part.
I've not felt like that in a long time and I'm a bit ashamed of it to be honest and sitting here writing, I think how ridiculous I was to lose my composure like that.
We can't hide these feelings from our horses and Remy knew, but he behaved like a little star. I love my boy!
I wanted to take him up the track towards the little wood as we've not been up there recently. He was a little jumpy but I expected him to be having a good look around as we've not been up there in a while. The farmer had put up his electric fence at the side of the track and some cows in there which Remy hadn't seen before. He was looking, but he's such a good boy and to be honest, he wasn't worrying me too much it was the bloody electric fence that had got me worried. We got past it and he was on his toes, not too much of a problem, we practised a little sideways and regular halts to keep him thinking and by the time we got through the wood he was much calmer, not completely relaxed but ok.
Coming home he was really on a mission and while I like the forward I don't want the rushing so I sat up and thought slow with my seat, which worked well, it just felt that I had a whole lot of horse underneath me. Coming back towards the fence, the farmer had arrived with tractor and trailer to refill his water troughs, so Remy was looking at that, and to be fair he wanted to march up and investigate, but the bloody fence was just at the side of us and it was freaking me out. I didn't panic, at least I don't think it was panic, but I suddenly felt very nervous about the fact that I was responsible for this young horse and it was up to me to be calm and to give him confidence. I felt old and inadequate. He deserves better, because, he never really gives me a reason to be worried and I was letting him down. A wobble, definitely, and it came out of nowhere and took me by surprise and it's not like he took off with me or anything, which somehow makes it worse and a definite over-reaction on my part.
I've not felt like that in a long time and I'm a bit ashamed of it to be honest and sitting here writing, I think how ridiculous I was to lose my composure like that.
We can't hide these feelings from our horses and Remy knew, but he behaved like a little star. I love my boy!
Friday, 16 September 2011
Jobs done
No horses today, too busy this morning re-seeding one of our fields which needed to be done before the guy comes to top it at the weekend. After that we had to cut the lower branches off the tree in the yard as they're nearly touching the ground and taking up quite a bit of space. It's good because now I've got a nice little circular area to work the guys.
We now have a CT on the landrover thanks to the lovely man at the CT centre in the next village. He checked out the ID number, said it wasn't a problem, and 'voila' - done!!
We've also got the wood- burner chimney fitted in the gite now, so set up for winter guests and wood ordered to come next week.
I suddenly got the urge to drag my guitar out of its case for the first time in years the other day, it was under the bed covered in a layer of dust! I've replaced a couple of strings and had a little play ( it's been a long time and boy am I rubbish) so we'll see how it goes. Ricky's already suggesting we look for some duet music!!
It's coming up to that dreaded time of the year when the chasse start to make an appearance and last week they were tooting back and forwards for no apparent reason, couldn't hear any yapping of dogs, Jim said that they're probably just getting drunk and practicing tooting their horns - I can believe it!! Anyway we'll see if they're around tomorrow, they're not supposed to start until the end of September, but they're like kids at christmas, can't bloody wait!
We now have a CT on the landrover thanks to the lovely man at the CT centre in the next village. He checked out the ID number, said it wasn't a problem, and 'voila' - done!!
We've also got the wood- burner chimney fitted in the gite now, so set up for winter guests and wood ordered to come next week.
I suddenly got the urge to drag my guitar out of its case for the first time in years the other day, it was under the bed covered in a layer of dust! I've replaced a couple of strings and had a little play ( it's been a long time and boy am I rubbish) so we'll see how it goes. Ricky's already suggesting we look for some duet music!!
It's coming up to that dreaded time of the year when the chasse start to make an appearance and last week they were tooting back and forwards for no apparent reason, couldn't hear any yapping of dogs, Jim said that they're probably just getting drunk and practicing tooting their horns - I can believe it!! Anyway we'll see if they're around tomorrow, they're not supposed to start until the end of September, but they're like kids at christmas, can't bloody wait!
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Own little world! tut tut
Been doing more thinking ( not sure it's good for me), and watching Jims latest vid it's obvious (why haven't I realised it sooner, what a div I am) that at times I'm not giving Rem enough length of rein. I'm concentrating on getting the release and I give immediately, but not enough sometimes.At the same time I'm guilty of giving too much outside rein. Also, while I give him regular breaks on a long rein, I don't give him enough - I'm ashamed to say I get lost in my own little world and lose track of time, so really need to be aware of it.
We're having some problems on the right rein, he just doesn't want to be there, so we've been working on that more, trying to keep right bend, encourage to stretch the outside, but also keeping the inside shoulder up and not falling in and just trying to get more control of that inside right shoulder.
Today, I was really conscious of the length of rein and worked him with a longer rein and he really stretched and softened, I just moved him around the school and we worked on moving the shoulders and quarters and some trot transitions. He felt more relaxed and gave me some nice soft transitions.
We're having some problems on the right rein, he just doesn't want to be there, so we've been working on that more, trying to keep right bend, encourage to stretch the outside, but also keeping the inside shoulder up and not falling in and just trying to get more control of that inside right shoulder.
Today, I was really conscious of the length of rein and worked him with a longer rein and he really stretched and softened, I just moved him around the school and we worked on moving the shoulders and quarters and some trot transitions. He felt more relaxed and gave me some nice soft transitions.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Generosity and trust
Had a good think last night about training Remy. What I realise is that I'm forgetting the very very basics (not good english, I know). Thinking first of all, above all else the mobilisation of the jaw, which I honestly believe is the key to the whole body. I've been thinking we're doing ok and I suppose we are, but he's only partly giving his mouth, only partly trusting my hand and even though it's so bloody obvious I've been missing it in my quest to progress.
Remy bends easily to the left, in fact he wants to be flexed left and I know horses have a weak/ strong - soft / hard side but if I offer him a treat from the saddle (or from the ground for that matter) he can stretch both sides easily, so I believe it's a refusal/reluctance on his part, for whatever reason, it's a contraction of his muscles rather than a real underlying lack of suppleness.
Today we started from the ground and started at the beginning, asking for the release from a lift of the bit to the corners of the mouth. He was hesitating, not releasing immediately and when he did release, he didn't retain it, but after a few attempts he started to respond and relax. I then moved to the left side, outside rein over the top of the neck and asking for the release and then a release into a left flexion, keeping the relaxation and allowing him to extend his neck, again keeping the release and relaxation and mobility of the jaw.
Moving to his right side, feeling the reluctance through the rein, but then the release and relaxation, acceptance, nice right flexion and then allowing the extension of his neck, still willing to give his mouth.
I wanted to sit-on but was loathe to muddy the waters, but I really wanted to sit on to see if the work could continue from the saddle.
So on I got and as I picked up the reins to begin he responded and I felt immediately the release and acceptance as he mobilised his jaw, with a beautiful soft, anything is possible feeling in my hands. This is what was missing, the real gift of generosity and trust.
A calm stillness, self balance and self control, we walked a circle on each rein, just one circle, not wanting to be too greedy, retaining that beautiful feeling in my hand and softness through his body. It was a moment of pure joy. I got off with the realisation that I'm a very very lucky girl!!!
Remy bends easily to the left, in fact he wants to be flexed left and I know horses have a weak/ strong - soft / hard side but if I offer him a treat from the saddle (or from the ground for that matter) he can stretch both sides easily, so I believe it's a refusal/reluctance on his part, for whatever reason, it's a contraction of his muscles rather than a real underlying lack of suppleness.
Today we started from the ground and started at the beginning, asking for the release from a lift of the bit to the corners of the mouth. He was hesitating, not releasing immediately and when he did release, he didn't retain it, but after a few attempts he started to respond and relax. I then moved to the left side, outside rein over the top of the neck and asking for the release and then a release into a left flexion, keeping the relaxation and allowing him to extend his neck, again keeping the release and relaxation and mobility of the jaw.
Moving to his right side, feeling the reluctance through the rein, but then the release and relaxation, acceptance, nice right flexion and then allowing the extension of his neck, still willing to give his mouth.
I wanted to sit-on but was loathe to muddy the waters, but I really wanted to sit on to see if the work could continue from the saddle.
So on I got and as I picked up the reins to begin he responded and I felt immediately the release and acceptance as he mobilised his jaw, with a beautiful soft, anything is possible feeling in my hands. This is what was missing, the real gift of generosity and trust.
A calm stillness, self balance and self control, we walked a circle on each rein, just one circle, not wanting to be too greedy, retaining that beautiful feeling in my hand and softness through his body. It was a moment of pure joy. I got off with the realisation that I'm a very very lucky girl!!!
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Guidance..
..required.
As usual for me, I feel like I've hit a block in my training. I feel like I need some guidance, I don't know if I really do, just feel that way. I go so far and then start to doubt what I'm doing and once that sets in I'm rubbish at dealing with it. Comme D'habitude!!
What it comes down to is going it alone, it's hard. How I envy those that have trainers, or just educated eyes on the ground. Remy's doing ok, but I need regular affirmation that what I'm doing is correct or suggestions for things I need to do to stay on the correct path.
I should be brave enough to post my work on the forums for advice, but I'm not.
I miss lessons and I miss clinics. I miss words of encouragement from the side of the school and friendly debate over lunch.
I have my horses at home, a great school to ride in, I'm surrounded by beautiful countryside with miles and miles of tracks to hack out on, there shouldn't be any negatives, but ( and I'm ashamed to say it) unfortunately there are.
As usual for me, I feel like I've hit a block in my training. I feel like I need some guidance, I don't know if I really do, just feel that way. I go so far and then start to doubt what I'm doing and once that sets in I'm rubbish at dealing with it. Comme D'habitude!!
What it comes down to is going it alone, it's hard. How I envy those that have trainers, or just educated eyes on the ground. Remy's doing ok, but I need regular affirmation that what I'm doing is correct or suggestions for things I need to do to stay on the correct path.
I should be brave enough to post my work on the forums for advice, but I'm not.
I miss lessons and I miss clinics. I miss words of encouragement from the side of the school and friendly debate over lunch.
I have my horses at home, a great school to ride in, I'm surrounded by beautiful countryside with miles and miles of tracks to hack out on, there shouldn't be any negatives, but ( and I'm ashamed to say it) unfortunately there are.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Incandescent.......
..... with rage!!!! Bloody ignorant, arrogant, bald french tw*t!!
Called into the CT (MOT) centre last week to arrange a rendezvous for the Land Rover. Really nice guy gave us a sticker with the date of the rendezvous written on (5.9.2011). Turned up on monday, nobody there, place closed. Waited for a while, still closed. Came home, rang them in the afternoon to ask why there was nobody there and was told 'non' the rendevous was for the 6th. Ok, but you have written the 5th. 'NON' the rendevous is DEMAIN le 6th!!! Ok, pas de probleme we'll come tomorrow.
Jim took the car and another guy, definitely not the nice guy, was frozen faced, took the sticky off the carte grise and without looking at Jim, threw it in the bin and without a word started the procedure.
Everything seems ok except he can't find the vehicle ID number on the chassis.. There is one under the bonnet, the other, where is it? Outcome - Refusé!! It needs to be stamped on the chassis, you need to get it done!!
Our local garage can't do it, but suggested we go to the CT centre in the next village. We take our other car here, but they don't do 4x4's hence going to monsieur angry. So, Jim takes the land rover to see if he can sort it out and it turns out they now have the necessary equipment to do 4x4's which is good to know for the future. He brings out his trusty manual which tells him that the elusive number is stamped on the chassis just visible underneath the windscreen, having checked both numbers he pronounces 'bien' and today,armed with this information Jim goes down to see mr angry to get the certificate.
I wasn't there but I can imagine the scene as Jim described it. Mr ANGRY wouldn't accept this, despite the fact that we had already been told that it was correct, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms, saying 'non' and getting redder and redder. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't even look at Jim, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms. Apparently it needs to be underneath - the manual has told us where to look - stamped under the windscreen, in full view, readable and everything, but 'non' it has to be underneath!!!
Jim had to just walk away - being locked in a french jail for gbh of a french, bald, arrogant tw*t is not really an option so, tomorrow we go to our friendly, in the next village CT man to see if he can do it.
Our french is not brilliant, but also it's not too bad, we always speak french and try really hard to get along with people, we're not arrogant English folk who think that everyone should speak english and we don't expect them to. I don't know if this guy hates the english or he's just like that with everyone, but, what I can say is that I'm so glad that I didn't have to talk to the arrogant, bald french tw*t as I probably would be locked up in a french jail now - which really isn't an option!!!
Called into the CT (MOT) centre last week to arrange a rendezvous for the Land Rover. Really nice guy gave us a sticker with the date of the rendezvous written on (5.9.2011). Turned up on monday, nobody there, place closed. Waited for a while, still closed. Came home, rang them in the afternoon to ask why there was nobody there and was told 'non' the rendevous was for the 6th. Ok, but you have written the 5th. 'NON' the rendevous is DEMAIN le 6th!!! Ok, pas de probleme we'll come tomorrow.
Jim took the car and another guy, definitely not the nice guy, was frozen faced, took the sticky off the carte grise and without looking at Jim, threw it in the bin and without a word started the procedure.
Everything seems ok except he can't find the vehicle ID number on the chassis.. There is one under the bonnet, the other, where is it? Outcome - Refusé!! It needs to be stamped on the chassis, you need to get it done!!
Our local garage can't do it, but suggested we go to the CT centre in the next village. We take our other car here, but they don't do 4x4's hence going to monsieur angry. So, Jim takes the land rover to see if he can sort it out and it turns out they now have the necessary equipment to do 4x4's which is good to know for the future. He brings out his trusty manual which tells him that the elusive number is stamped on the chassis just visible underneath the windscreen, having checked both numbers he pronounces 'bien' and today,armed with this information Jim goes down to see mr angry to get the certificate.
I wasn't there but I can imagine the scene as Jim described it. Mr ANGRY wouldn't accept this, despite the fact that we had already been told that it was correct, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms, saying 'non' and getting redder and redder. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't even look at Jim, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms. Apparently it needs to be underneath - the manual has told us where to look - stamped under the windscreen, in full view, readable and everything, but 'non' it has to be underneath!!!
Jim had to just walk away - being locked in a french jail for gbh of a french, bald, arrogant tw*t is not really an option so, tomorrow we go to our friendly, in the next village CT man to see if he can do it.
Our french is not brilliant, but also it's not too bad, we always speak french and try really hard to get along with people, we're not arrogant English folk who think that everyone should speak english and we don't expect them to. I don't know if this guy hates the english or he's just like that with everyone, but, what I can say is that I'm so glad that I didn't have to talk to the arrogant, bald french tw*t as I probably would be locked up in a french jail now - which really isn't an option!!!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Great feelings
Continued with the same with Remy today and achieved some lovely soft work, consistent even bend on both reins, much more fluid and improved on the right rein. We worked on rein-back, shoulder in and leg yield down the long side and small circles with lots of changes of bend. Great feeling and really enjoyed the session.
Another bridle session with Bonbon on the yard, relaxing her jaw really well, giving nice flexions left and right and extending the neck into a nice soft contact.
I need to find some homes for our young hens, they'll be laying soon and we have too many. I'm surprised at how fond I've become of them and can't bear for Jim to put them in the pot. He keeps threatening, but they're so beautiful, I can't let him do it. I'm pretty rubbish at being a chicken breeder, I just want to keep them all and watch them happily pecking around. We have a young cockerel who is stunning and I've seen him grow from a plain little black chick.How ridiculous am I. Aaaaghhhh!
Another bridle session with Bonbon on the yard, relaxing her jaw really well, giving nice flexions left and right and extending the neck into a nice soft contact.
I need to find some homes for our young hens, they'll be laying soon and we have too many. I'm surprised at how fond I've become of them and can't bear for Jim to put them in the pot. He keeps threatening, but they're so beautiful, I can't let him do it. I'm pretty rubbish at being a chicken breeder, I just want to keep them all and watch them happily pecking around. We have a young cockerel who is stunning and I've seen him grow from a plain little black chick.How ridiculous am I. Aaaaghhhh!
Monday, 5 September 2011
Work in walk works wonders
A great session today with Remy, working in walk, really concentrating on correct bend especially on the right rein. Asking outside shoulder slightly to the inside, keeping the inside shoulder up, relaxed through the neck , inside flexion and soft in the hand. A breakthrough, I think, on the right rein where he's been a little reluctant and resisting, he really started to 'get' it and relax into a lovely soft contact. A really satisfying and enjoyable session, we finished with lots of changes of rein, neck long and relaxed with fluid changes of bend.
A short flexion session with Bonbon on the yard and she's starting to respond really well, relaxing her jaw to a small upward movement of the bit on the corners of her mouth.
A short flexion session with Bonbon on the yard and she's starting to respond really well, relaxing her jaw to a small upward movement of the bit on the corners of her mouth.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Musical Soiree
Sounds posh doesn't it, but really just a bunch of people getting together to make music and drink lots of wine!
Ricky organised it at her place and we were treated to piano solos, duets, choral works, light opera and an impromptu jazz session at the end of the night when the wheels were well and truly oiled.
Ricky's been on at me for ages to do a little something with piano and sax, but, apart from not wanting to subject the listeners to my ramblings, the thought of performing in front of that lot freaks me out just a tad.
Ricky has her friend staying with her who's a pretty good pianist and composer, so I've dragged the sax out of it's case (where it's been sitting for the last few months) and we're going to meet up for a session later in the week.
Feeling a little bit under the weather this morning, ahem, perhaps a little too many 'verres du vin', and it was raining so put the horses out and spent the day getting my playing muscles in order and finally got around to replacing the keyboard in my french laptop for a UK one. It's not that I mind using a french keyboard it's just that my other laptop has a UK keyboard and to have both is just confusing for the fingers!
Ricky organised it at her place and we were treated to piano solos, duets, choral works, light opera and an impromptu jazz session at the end of the night when the wheels were well and truly oiled.
Ricky's been on at me for ages to do a little something with piano and sax, but, apart from not wanting to subject the listeners to my ramblings, the thought of performing in front of that lot freaks me out just a tad.
Ricky has her friend staying with her who's a pretty good pianist and composer, so I've dragged the sax out of it's case (where it's been sitting for the last few months) and we're going to meet up for a session later in the week.
Feeling a little bit under the weather this morning, ahem, perhaps a little too many 'verres du vin', and it was raining so put the horses out and spent the day getting my playing muscles in order and finally got around to replacing the keyboard in my french laptop for a UK one. It's not that I mind using a french keyboard it's just that my other laptop has a UK keyboard and to have both is just confusing for the fingers!
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Getting going
It's been a slow start getting going after my visit to the UK. It's been changeable weather here, hot and close, then cloudy and stormy with lots of flies, I think they're having a last fling before autumn sets in!
I've had a few sessions with Remy over the last week, a lovely hack around the lake, Jim accompanying us but Remy taking the lead, forward and interested. Also in the school working on bending and softness, his reluctance to bend to the right, getting him to stretch his left side, trying to activate his hind legs especially the right hind, keep his inside shoulder up - young horses eh, so many things to work on!
After introducing trot work before my visit to the UK, we're now starting to work more on that, which comes with another whole set of issues to work through. Trying to keep the softness into the transition, the forwards without rushing, the neck soft and relaxed. I'm feeling my way through it, he's being a star and coping admirably with my efforts!
We've had a couple of sessions with Bonbon in the school, groundwork and then a sit-on - especially good yesterday as the farmers were getting the maize in and the field was filled with big noisy monsters. She had a little squeal and a buck on the lunge but then settled down really nicely.
I've had a few sessions with Remy over the last week, a lovely hack around the lake, Jim accompanying us but Remy taking the lead, forward and interested. Also in the school working on bending and softness, his reluctance to bend to the right, getting him to stretch his left side, trying to activate his hind legs especially the right hind, keep his inside shoulder up - young horses eh, so many things to work on!
After introducing trot work before my visit to the UK, we're now starting to work more on that, which comes with another whole set of issues to work through. Trying to keep the softness into the transition, the forwards without rushing, the neck soft and relaxed. I'm feeling my way through it, he's being a star and coping admirably with my efforts!
We've had a couple of sessions with Bonbon in the school, groundwork and then a sit-on - especially good yesterday as the farmers were getting the maize in and the field was filled with big noisy monsters. She had a little squeal and a buck on the lunge but then settled down really nicely.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Memories
It was Karls funeral today. We got through it, but heart-wrenching to see Joan and Rod so upset. The service brought back good memories from childhood and it was good to see family members that I've not seen in years. The crem was full, he had so many friends.
Jim has informed me that he was run off the road a few days back and had to swerve up a very large kerb. The result, broken wing mirror, two popped tyres and damaged wheels! Luckily he's ok, although pretty pissed off. I don't think our fully comp insurance will cover it.
Jim has informed me that he was run off the road a few days back and had to swerve up a very large kerb. The result, broken wing mirror, two popped tyres and damaged wheels! Luckily he's ok, although pretty pissed off. I don't think our fully comp insurance will cover it.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Hustle and bustle
I've had a couple of busy days, yesterday morning up to the yard to check out the new school which has far exceeded expectations, being larger than I thought and with a lovely sand and rubber surface. The liveries are delighted with it and I had a good natter with my old mate Linda. I went shopping with my Mum in the afternoon and then up to Joan and Rods in the evening. They insist that they're coping ok, but I don't think so. We had a couple of drinks and a good catch up, it was lovely to see them. I've arranged to go shopping with Joan tomorrow, I think that shopping may be the recurring theme of this visit, I still have to find some breeches and various other horsey items!
I've got mixed feelings about being home, I hate being in the town and the amount of traffic is driving me crazy, but even amongst all the hustle and bustle, the people still find time to be friendly and helpful, and, of course, it's great to see family and friends.
I've got mixed feelings about being home, I hate being in the town and the amount of traffic is driving me crazy, but even amongst all the hustle and bustle, the people still find time to be friendly and helpful, and, of course, it's great to see family and friends.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Sunny England
Well, I arrived safe and sound in a very nice and sunny Liverpool. The hire car co. presented me with a lovely 5 door VW Polo which is lovely to drive and I arrived home to be greeted by Mum and Dad, Karen, Thomas and Chloe. I'm off to the yard tomorrow to check out our new riding arena and hopefully get a ride over the moor one one of the liveries horses.
I'm homesick already.
I'm homesick already.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Tip toes
We had an exciting hack this morning, the same route as yesterday but this time with added fisherman, cars, picnic tables etc....
As we approached the lake I could see the gathering and Remy was a little bit wary, but we went on down to where they'd set up to find four fishermen, their cars, tables and chairs and one of the cars parked on the track with only a small space one one side to get past.
Jim went on ahead but Remy was snorting and backing off so we halted for a few moments to let him take it in and calm down. I don't know if the smell of the live bait in the tubs at the edge of the lake was adding to it, but he was more freaked than I've seen him. He moved forward towards the car and plucked up the courage to sniff it which then startled him a little and he backed into one of the chairs at the table,I was expecting a bit of an explosion, but he still didn't overreact. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but although he was worried, he kept his head and after another few moments he decided he could go, he seemed to grow a few hands and went past on his tip toes, but also with a calmness which filled me with confidence.
The rest of the ride was fine although on the lane back we met the post van coming toward us at the same time as a tractor and bailer came up behind us. It was a tricky situation, but luckily the post van was going quite slowly and the tractor was prepared to wait until I could take Rem into a gateway. He tensed up a little as the (rather noisy) tractor went past, but no real problem, and by the time we got home he was pretty calm and relaxed. Lots to think about for the boy!
I'm off to the UK tomorrow for a week, and I'm really going to miss my guys.
As we approached the lake I could see the gathering and Remy was a little bit wary, but we went on down to where they'd set up to find four fishermen, their cars, tables and chairs and one of the cars parked on the track with only a small space one one side to get past.
Jim went on ahead but Remy was snorting and backing off so we halted for a few moments to let him take it in and calm down. I don't know if the smell of the live bait in the tubs at the edge of the lake was adding to it, but he was more freaked than I've seen him. He moved forward towards the car and plucked up the courage to sniff it which then startled him a little and he backed into one of the chairs at the table,I was expecting a bit of an explosion, but he still didn't overreact. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but although he was worried, he kept his head and after another few moments he decided he could go, he seemed to grow a few hands and went past on his tip toes, but also with a calmness which filled me with confidence.
The rest of the ride was fine although on the lane back we met the post van coming toward us at the same time as a tractor and bailer came up behind us. It was a tricky situation, but luckily the post van was going quite slowly and the tractor was prepared to wait until I could take Rem into a gateway. He tensed up a little as the (rather noisy) tractor went past, but no real problem, and by the time we got home he was pretty calm and relaxed. Lots to think about for the boy!
I'm off to the UK tomorrow for a week, and I'm really going to miss my guys.
Friday, 12 August 2011
A little hack
My intention was to ride Remy up to the school and then have a short session in there, but Remy decided he wanted to march straight past and on down to the lake! I didn't ask him to turn into the school so it's not as if he was misbehaving, he just started to stride out energetically as we were approaching the entrance, his intention was definitely to go straight on down the track, so we did. Jim had come up to watch the session, so he accompanied us on our little hack.
We went down the track to the lake, continued on the little track round the lake and then off through the field coming out further down on the lane to our house. Jim had to walk in front a couple of times for encouragement, but all in all he was really happy to go on ahead. We were out for about 40 minutes. I'm pretty chuffed with the boy!
On a sadder note, I learned this week that my cousin Karl had died. Not totally unexpected as he'd suffered ill health for a long time, but still a great sadness. He was a few years younger than me and thankfully died peacefully after a particularly turbulent life. As kids, my sister and I used to spend all holidays and spare time with our cousins so they were a big part of my life growing up. I am especially close to Karls mum and dad and I'm looking forward to spending some time with them next week when I go home to attend the funeral.
We went down the track to the lake, continued on the little track round the lake and then off through the field coming out further down on the lane to our house. Jim had to walk in front a couple of times for encouragement, but all in all he was really happy to go on ahead. We were out for about 40 minutes. I'm pretty chuffed with the boy!
On a sadder note, I learned this week that my cousin Karl had died. Not totally unexpected as he'd suffered ill health for a long time, but still a great sadness. He was a few years younger than me and thankfully died peacefully after a particularly turbulent life. As kids, my sister and I used to spend all holidays and spare time with our cousins so they were a big part of my life growing up. I am especially close to Karls mum and dad and I'm looking forward to spending some time with them next week when I go home to attend the funeral.
Monday, 8 August 2011
We talked, and talked and ...............
...talked, ate a tasty lunch and drank (just a little) wine!!
A lovely day out yesterday at Trudis, it was great to see them all and especially good as Trudis friend Chris was visiting and I haven't seen her for ages. While we talked Chris gave us all a manicure and my nails are now smooth and buffed to perfection (well, not perfection as my nails are sadly neglected, but I'm going to try and take much better care of them and also to moisturise my also neglected hands :-( - thanks Chris!
The weather was iffy this morning, one minute sunny and the next tipping it down. I had a short bridle session with Bonbon, starting with a little massage on her poll and neck, little love whickered at me as she started to relax.
The sun popped out for a while so I took Remy up to the school for an in-hand/lungeing session. He was jumpy going up the field and took a while to settle once in the school, but he gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder-in on the circle. He was good with his back legs today, pretty active and gave me some active transitions into a not quite as relaxed trot as I'd like, but he was motivated and carrying himself nicely , and taking into account how distracted he was I was pretty happy with him.
A lovely day out yesterday at Trudis, it was great to see them all and especially good as Trudis friend Chris was visiting and I haven't seen her for ages. While we talked Chris gave us all a manicure and my nails are now smooth and buffed to perfection (well, not perfection as my nails are sadly neglected, but I'm going to try and take much better care of them and also to moisturise my also neglected hands :-( - thanks Chris!
The weather was iffy this morning, one minute sunny and the next tipping it down. I had a short bridle session with Bonbon, starting with a little massage on her poll and neck, little love whickered at me as she started to relax.
The sun popped out for a while so I took Remy up to the school for an in-hand/lungeing session. He was jumpy going up the field and took a while to settle once in the school, but he gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder-in on the circle. He was good with his back legs today, pretty active and gave me some active transitions into a not quite as relaxed trot as I'd like, but he was motivated and carrying himself nicely , and taking into account how distracted he was I was pretty happy with him.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
The weather's been a bit wishy washy the last few days, but I've had a couple of good sessions with Remy.
Things feel like they're coming together, sideways is improving, reinback is straighter and the trot transitions are more active and soft. After the session on friday, I took his bridle off and we went for a walk around our top field for a look-see and some grass. I rode in the rain yesterday which was fab and then rode him back down the field which I've never done before.
Things feel like they're coming together, sideways is improving, reinback is straighter and the trot transitions are more active and soft. After the session on friday, I took his bridle off and we went for a walk around our top field for a look-see and some grass. I rode in the rain yesterday which was fab and then rode him back down the field which I've never done before.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Walking out
Had a lovely time with Remy today. I rode him up to the school but he wanted to explore down the track to the little lakes so that's what we did. I've never ridden him down there, but he really wanted to go. His walk was fantastic, I can't tell you how good it felt to have him striding out beneath me. We stopped at the lake and he had a little snort at the hut with the boat, but he settled quickly and I let him put his head down for a nibble at some grass. I took him in the school on the way back, a short session including rein-back and shoulder-in on each rein followed by a few trot transitions. He's improving and I was happy with the transitions and his balance in the trot.
Friday, 29 July 2011
I'm..............
50, fat, unfit and have no muscle tone whatsoever!
Well, I knew that, but it was confirmed in no uncertain terms the other day trying to do rising trot on Remy. He's a young horse and we've only just started the trot work, and I haven't done any trot work in yonks, but that's no excuse because Remy's got pretty good balance in the trot work and the fact that I'm all over the place is totally down to me. I've got to get fitter, so yesterday got out my exercise dvd which has lots of different programs to choose from - I've started with toning exercises, followed by a rather enjoyable boxing routine and finish with a session of stretches Zen style. LOL someone should video me, now that would be entertaining!
My session in the school with Remy today was pretty good. He started off not really paying attention, but once he'd tuned in he was very attentive. The walk and halt transitions were cleaner today, we did shoulder in on both reins, but mostly I was moving him forward with an active walk, soft in the hand before asking for a trot transition. One or two sloppy ones which I immediately brought back to walk and tried again, but mostly he gave me nice fluid transitions into a nicely balanced trot which I could rise to and we both remained in balance.We finished with figure of eights on a long rein, bending and stretching nicely.
As I halted and started to dismount he gave a little whicker - not sure if he was saying 'thanks mum, that was ok' or 'thank god she's getting off'!
Our baled hay has been sitting in the field for the last couple of weeks as the farmer who cuts it hadn't been round to bring it in ( he'd left his out too) but this morning I noticed that he'd got all his in from his field adjoining ours and left ours in the field. He's had 3 good years out of us, taking whatever hay we don't need (30/40 big round bales on a good year) but this year he's been very conspicous by his absence, avoiding us like the plague. It's been such an horrendous year and we've only got 10 bales, half of what we need. He obviously doesn't think that the maize he's planted in our far field (which we stupidly allowed him to do) is enough. It all changes next year, it's not an official arrangement and he'll have nothing to do with our land. We've got a good horse pasture seed mix to completely reseed the fields and next year we won't cut for hay, we'll rest them and top them when necessary to thicken the grass. A horsey friend said to me that people will show their true colours this year because of all the problems, and it's very true.
Well, I knew that, but it was confirmed in no uncertain terms the other day trying to do rising trot on Remy. He's a young horse and we've only just started the trot work, and I haven't done any trot work in yonks, but that's no excuse because Remy's got pretty good balance in the trot work and the fact that I'm all over the place is totally down to me. I've got to get fitter, so yesterday got out my exercise dvd which has lots of different programs to choose from - I've started with toning exercises, followed by a rather enjoyable boxing routine and finish with a session of stretches Zen style. LOL someone should video me, now that would be entertaining!
My session in the school with Remy today was pretty good. He started off not really paying attention, but once he'd tuned in he was very attentive. The walk and halt transitions were cleaner today, we did shoulder in on both reins, but mostly I was moving him forward with an active walk, soft in the hand before asking for a trot transition. One or two sloppy ones which I immediately brought back to walk and tried again, but mostly he gave me nice fluid transitions into a nicely balanced trot which I could rise to and we both remained in balance.We finished with figure of eights on a long rein, bending and stretching nicely.
As I halted and started to dismount he gave a little whicker - not sure if he was saying 'thanks mum, that was ok' or 'thank god she's getting off'!
Our baled hay has been sitting in the field for the last couple of weeks as the farmer who cuts it hadn't been round to bring it in ( he'd left his out too) but this morning I noticed that he'd got all his in from his field adjoining ours and left ours in the field. He's had 3 good years out of us, taking whatever hay we don't need (30/40 big round bales on a good year) but this year he's been very conspicous by his absence, avoiding us like the plague. It's been such an horrendous year and we've only got 10 bales, half of what we need. He obviously doesn't think that the maize he's planted in our far field (which we stupidly allowed him to do) is enough. It all changes next year, it's not an official arrangement and he'll have nothing to do with our land. We've got a good horse pasture seed mix to completely reseed the fields and next year we won't cut for hay, we'll rest them and top them when necessary to thicken the grass. A horsey friend said to me that people will show their true colours this year because of all the problems, and it's very true.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
(very nearly) Jumping
I thought it was about time Remy saw some jumps so we put out some trotting poles for him to go over and then added a little X pole at the end. We have some coloured poles that we've never used so he needed a quick look before deciding they were ok. He didn't know what to make of the little x pole the first time and stopped, huffed and then walked over it, the second time he hopped over it and the third time he jumped it , but not particularly athletically. I brought him round again and he made quite a nice jump so we left it at that. This was just on the left rein, so next time we need to show him he can do it on both reins (hopefully).
A short bridle session with Bonbon asking for relaxation of the jaw and baby flexion. It's coming along well.
A short bridle session with Bonbon asking for relaxation of the jaw and baby flexion. It's coming along well.
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