Either the mad or the dedicated take their 14.2hh pony for a lesson in the snow, in the horsebox, on their own... Perhaps you need a bit of the former to become the latter. Charmeur loves going in the box and watching out of the window. Again, most of the work was spent on straightening and getting him more supple. We always take the time in walk to ensure his back end is following the front, and that he's taking the contact evenly forwards into both reins. Total attention to detail but I know from past experience it will definitely pay off in the long run. Then we repeat the same thing in the trot, using flexion exercises to get him more even on both reins, until eventually I can give my inside rein and he stays there off my seat, soft, supple and with a tendency to take the rein forwards and down.
Eventually he starts to relax his back and really let me ride him. He allows me to flex him to the inside correctly (ie without trying to fall in/fall out/go crooked), and you can totally feel your aids going through his whole body and him responding with that lovely feeling of increased engagement and impulsion. Today we got as far as practising some test movements just to check whether we could maintain absolute straightness through his body going from circles to straight lines. That might sound like a contradiction to some that a horse is straight on a circle, but it just means his hind feet are following the tracks of his front feet. By this point he was working well and everything felt much easier. June said its the best she's ever seen him which was great to hear as I've been working really hard with him for the last few weeks. We worked a little on the canter, the left canter still being weaker, but it will take time to build up. At least the trot-canter transitions were very good today as the trot was so much more through. And I was very pleased he seems much fitter and finished the session still feeling fresh, despite it taking an hour and 15 minutes to get him where I wanted! But I am taking the time to do everything properly with this pony, he is treated and trained just like my big Warmblood.
The following day the ground was too frozen to do much, but I felt it actually benefited him a lot just to work in walk. He felt quite straight from the moment I got on so I practised square halts and keeping his attention throughout. A few days later when it had thawed, I thought I'd throw a walk to canter at him to see what he did (never asked before) and he offered a lovely clean transition. He's a smart little thing.
Risby has been so much better in the contact since our lesson last week. I have been looking at some Elementaries to start getting him out and about again but with minimal pressure, just ride him exactly as I ride at home, no fuss, do the minimum, and get him really relaxed competing again. At home I plan to continue working on the suppleness and contact especially, then start applying this to all his lateral work and eventually changes. A bit like starting from the very beginning and moving up through each component and checking everything is in place before progressing further, resisting the temptation to perhaps "have a bash" at a higher level or put on the pressure to qualify him. If we can get his changes more relaxed I see no reason why he can't continue to progress up the levels if we do it slowly and carefully.
Some new clients too... I taught a lovely new lady and her medium level Warmblood this week. I always get really excited when horse and rider both have a good work ethic, plus the rider is totally committed. I couldn't care less if they were on a 20 year old bog pony as attitude is everything, although I admit her horse was gorgeous! I love meeting new people, so it was also nice to help friend move her dressage horse to a new yard, and another friend move her yearling, and see some more new friendly faces. Reversing into a bush and cracking the hub cap on my spare tyre was not such positive!!
Last night I attended a meditation session that my other half has started to organise in Rochester. Since my retreat my meditation has been a bit lacking, so it was nice to have the space and time to sit quietly and get rid of all the garbage (ie thoughts) in my head and find that inner quiet. I will write more about meditation in future blogs.
Today I had my lovely Bowen Therapist, Martine Weber, come and see to both Risby and Charmeur. No real surprises, Risby was pretty much fine and Charmeur had a few sore areas that related to his crookedness. We are hoping to organise a yard Bowen session to treat us wonky riders too! Charmeur has filled out a lot recently so a saddle check is in order and I'm taking him next week. So handy having the horsebox, no more 3 week waits for saddle fitters.
So a busy few days as always. Always nice when the BD magazine arrives to sit down with a cup of tea and thaw out!
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