I've been busy over the last week or so.
I've had a lesson on the lunge, which really made me think about what my body was doing, and hopefully I'll be going back for more.
I've been working Remy on the lunge before riding, and he feels much looser when I get on. His lateral work at walk is improving and we're now getting decent walk/trot/walk transitions with more impulsion and softness. Today he offered me a lovely canter transition from trot, when I asked in the corner, and we did our first travers in-hand.
Bonbon is doing good things on the lunge. She still has her silly moments, but they're getting less and less. Her balance is improving all the time and she's really started to focus on me, and I feel like we're starting to get a good connection between us.
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Canter transitions
A really hot day today, so a short session in the school with Remy working on canter transitions.
I found the best way was to ask from walk - start shoulder in 2/3rds of the way down the long side and then ask for the transition going into the corner. We had some nice clean transitions, and some where we didn't get canter at all, but, on these, we got a lovely active trot transition, with good energy.
I lunged Bonbon and, despite the heat and flies, she was really well behaved and focussed.
I found the best way was to ask from walk - start shoulder in 2/3rds of the way down the long side and then ask for the transition going into the corner. We had some nice clean transitions, and some where we didn't get canter at all, but, on these, we got a lovely active trot transition, with good energy.
I lunged Bonbon and, despite the heat and flies, she was really well behaved and focussed.
Monday, 2 July 2012
Day off with treats and massage...
.... for the horses, not me, unfortunately.
We've been busy today spraying ferns and bracken, so the horses had a day off from working. Instead, they had their usual exercise and relaxation routine whilst grooming, plus a massage. Of course, they love their carrot stretches, but they had a hay net too whilst I gave them their massage.
Here's a vid of Remy from last week, continuing to work on the trot.
The last few days I've started to ask for the canter transition, something that we've done very little of, and which highlights the fact that Remy certainly needs to be more active behind. The transitions are hit and miss - some ok, some very lacklustre, but we've had a few very well balanced ones too, so I know he can do it if we get everything right. The good thing is that it's helping to improve the trot.
We've been busy today spraying ferns and bracken, so the horses had a day off from working. Instead, they had their usual exercise and relaxation routine whilst grooming, plus a massage. Of course, they love their carrot stretches, but they had a hay net too whilst I gave them their massage.
Here's a vid of Remy from last week, continuing to work on the trot.
The last few days I've started to ask for the canter transition, something that we've done very little of, and which highlights the fact that Remy certainly needs to be more active behind. The transitions are hit and miss - some ok, some very lacklustre, but we've had a few very well balanced ones too, so I know he can do it if we get everything right. The good thing is that it's helping to improve the trot.
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