Back to School

Finally took a lesson from Sandy (my trainer) with Winnie after missing four Fridays in a row. I requested and got a lunge line lesson as I was feeling really out of practice. Here’s what I need to practice by next Friday’s lesson:

1. Using the neck stretcher. Sandy adjusted it to the right length for Winnie. It’s pretty long, but it works.I had her knot it at the right length. We used them instead of side reins and Winnie’s head tossing was kept to one or two resistances.

2. When Winnie falls out of the circle by sticking her butt out of the curved line , which she did at one point most times we passed it, use my outside rein and leg to direct her back in. Don’t wait for her to this for more than a stride, if that. Correct her as soon as she starts to drift.

3. Winnie’s not a hot horse, bring the whip and hold it with the inside hand, laid across my thigh until needed. Just use it on her shoulder for a tap if she ignores my leg.

4. Don’t turn my heel in and toe out to communicate with Winnie, instead bring my leg in and slightly back, flexing at the ankle joint. Use the inside top of my calf to tell Winnie to go forward. If she ignores it, follow with a tap with the whip immediately.

5. Follow Winnie’s mouth by letting my elbow, to hand move at a downward angle not straight back and forth.

6. Sit the trot first (rising as the outside shoulder does) before asking for a canter depart. Don’t let her run into it, instead make a clean transition.

7. Practice lots and lots of walk-trot and some trot-canter transitions concentrating on keeping a constant following contact with my hands. I tend to focus on my leg and seat and let the reins get slack or loopy. (Amazing how little looseness Sandy refers to as loopy.)

8. Keep my heels down and flex in the ankle, knee and hip with my head up and my shoulders back and my butt glued to the saddle during he caner. I must be getting better at the flexing as I only lost my stirrups once cantering. It’s so easy to let my legs get loose and swing when I’m trying to follow with my hips.

Lots of books recommend dropping your stirrups or removing them entirely to work on a better seat. I think I’ll wait until I can do everything correctly WITH stirrups before I try that again.

I can’t believe how difficult it is just to get nice basic gaits. It looks so easy, but it’s so hard! Thankfully, Winnie is a nice, calm horse who is easy to work with and already knows the basics. I just need to catch up.

See more progress on: learn dressage

Micro Ride

I got off to a late start, but Winnie and I did finally make it to the arena. A regular lunging session with Winnie, which went well though she was oddly reluctant to pick up the left canter lead and to maintain that gait. Not much riding, just a few 10-20 meter circles mostly at the walk to cool her down before full dark descended. I’m still pretty awful at getting and keeping Winnie on the bit. Thankfully I have a lesson with Sandy tomorrow which should give me a good place to restart.

Winnie was very well behaved and I got to try out my new Ariat Terrain chaps. A worthwhile evening all around, plus Ferra actually came up for cookies before we left. A nice change from hiding behind the barn whenever the trailer pulls up.

See more progress on: learn dressage

A Start for 2011

I emailed Sandy and am on the schedule for a lesson on Friday. Guess I’d better get some practice on Winnie before then.
I also have been trading emails with Alejandro. He’s become very busy indeed, so I’m still waiting for him to get his new assistant up to speed so that I can start Ferra back into training with him. Ferra was perfect for the farrier on Monday, so hopefully all her ulcer/pain related behavior problems are behind us!

See more progress on: learn dressage

4 Weeks Missed

I was able to hire a couple of college students to help with the heavy manual labor around the property for a week or two. As usual, my riding is getting put off. I really need to schedule my time more effectively.
I did buy an indoor arena pass good through May, plus the guys aren’t back until Monday so I can take Winnie out and get some practice in. I also need to schedule a lesson for this Friday. My trainer probably thinks I’ve fallen off the face of the earth.

See more progress on: learn dressage

More Painting

I’ve hired two college students who are working for us for a week or so while on break. They’ve power washed the stalls and put yet another coat of paint on the bottom foot or so to eliminate the rust. This is obviously going to have to be done once a year at least, maybe two or three times. Still, it’s cheaper than having to replace the walls. I also found a place where the bottom metal edge is bent and sticking out. I need to pound it back into place before I let the girls back into their stalls.

Amazing how time consuming these repairs are even hiring someone to do it with minimal supervision. That and buying the supplies can eat up an entire afternoon.

See more progress on: finish my barn