I've had a few lessons lately on Mr Montana. While it's a bit of a drive (1.5 hours one way, a big deal here), I feel that I've been trying to learn more feel to take back to my own semi feral horses.
One of my last lessons, I was working on simple changes, which of course, seems simple enough. In theory.
However, this isn't theory and this is my life, so nothing is ever truly simple.
Montana is well schooled, so by taking him across the diagonal, he was anticipating flying changes. It was a good example for me to play around what truly a mysterious half halt is from horse to horse. For me, I ended up having to close his shoulders with my knees, sink my weight back in my stirrups and then ask him to slow on the outside rein. If I just stopped cantering with my body, he'd come to a halt and if I didn't close his shoulders and just changed the bend, he would do a flying change.
It is also harder for me as I am very asymmetric from left to right. Most of us have a strong side and a weak side, but I've had a plethora of injuries on my left side that have created a very strong right side and a left side that's along for the ride. Riding a well trained horse points this out just about each time I ride him.
At least at this point and time, I have stopped (mostly) running over my instructor while cantering to the left. Some days it's a little suspect still.
One of my last lessons, I was working on simple changes, which of course, seems simple enough. In theory.
However, this isn't theory and this is my life, so nothing is ever truly simple.
Montana is well schooled, so by taking him across the diagonal, he was anticipating flying changes. It was a good example for me to play around what truly a mysterious half halt is from horse to horse. For me, I ended up having to close his shoulders with my knees, sink my weight back in my stirrups and then ask him to slow on the outside rein. If I just stopped cantering with my body, he'd come to a halt and if I didn't close his shoulders and just changed the bend, he would do a flying change.
It is also harder for me as I am very asymmetric from left to right. Most of us have a strong side and a weak side, but I've had a plethora of injuries on my left side that have created a very strong right side and a left side that's along for the ride. Riding a well trained horse points this out just about each time I ride him.
At least at this point and time, I have stopped (mostly) running over my instructor while cantering to the left. Some days it's a little suspect still.
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| Much to still work on. This was from this past summer. Hopefully making progress. |
However, I am making progress tweaking the small things like proper geometry and a good square halt. It's enlightening to ride a well trained horse to realize I need to basically half halt and warn the horse before going from movement to movement.
Of course, you always hear about this, but always riding green horses, I haven't always been very good at preplanning what I need to do and subsequently, have at times, been unfair to the horse.
Oh look, I'm going to halt at X. OK, at X I ask for the halt, the horse slams on the brakes, dumps on the forehand, and the head goes up.
This last lesson, I was circling and coming in to halt at X and a few strides before, my instructor had me prepping for the halt, reminding the horse, and amazing enough, by the time I completely closed my legs and asked for the halt, I was exactly on X, straight, and square.
Who would have thought?
My goal today is to ride Chili and do at least 5 quality trot to halt transitions, focusing on straightness with proper preparation and impulsion into the halt.
Of course, you always hear about this, but always riding green horses, I haven't always been very good at preplanning what I need to do and subsequently, have at times, been unfair to the horse.
Oh look, I'm going to halt at X. OK, at X I ask for the halt, the horse slams on the brakes, dumps on the forehand, and the head goes up.
This last lesson, I was circling and coming in to halt at X and a few strides before, my instructor had me prepping for the halt, reminding the horse, and amazing enough, by the time I completely closed my legs and asked for the halt, I was exactly on X, straight, and square.
Who would have thought?
My goal today is to ride Chili and do at least 5 quality trot to halt transitions, focusing on straightness with proper preparation and impulsion into the halt.
Having something so well trained to ride is awesome!
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