I was supposed to work with Michael today, but he got stuck shoeing some horses so I ended up riding alone. I started out in the indoor because it was a really crappy day out. Not even crappy, just fall-like. Very grey and blustery.
Let me tell you, the work I got in the indoor was GREAT. I decided to do some refined work on the stuff I know we can handle without getting messed up - ie walk and trot - and she was SOOOO pretty! We don't have mirrors but I use the windows to see us, haha.
I concentrated really hard on keeping my hands steady and only massaging the inside when her head needed to come down, not all the time. I also made sure she was constantly stepping underneath herself and using her muscles. She looked absolutely gorgeous!!! The trot work was the best, and we put a bunch of bending on circles and extending in, too, so she had to work but it stayed interesting.
In the canter, she didn't want to do it for long, and my stirrups were long and I just felt discombobulated so we didn't do much. After, though, we went in the field and she was super looky and high - it's the first really FALL day that I've ridden her, and she hadn't been worked very hard before going out there. She never really spooked at anything, but it was an exercise in relaxing. It was almost good for me to have to work by myself because I WANTED to hang on to her mouth and tighten up a little bit, but had to talk myself out of it - I didn't have anyone telling me to relax or to keep conversation with.
I was supposed to ride a bunch this weekend because I was housesitting @ the Beuth's, but I didn't. Back to the grind on Monday...
10.06.2008
10.02.2008
10/1: Wednesday
What a beautiful, perfect day! The temperature was just right and Elle was in top shape. She had enough energy for me to be happy, but not so much that I had any want to hold her back, losing some of what we've been working for - FORWARD!!
So we tacked up and did some light bending, engagement/disengagement, moving off of leg warm up work in the outdoor, and then went out into the field. Marty came around with us with Karen's horse (I think someone said something to her about how I felt, because she was REALLY nice and supportive and complimentary) for one lap, and the lap after that we walked and trotted, with a canter up the hill. TJ tried to canter right out of field, haha, but we went back in and Mike said he wanted us to do some canter work if we were ready for that. I was all for it, as she's so EASY to get going forward in the field. So, he said if we got going, go for it, he and TJ would catch up. I brought her up to a canter and cantered down the whole front part of the field. We came to a walk, let Mike catch up, and then cantered the second stretch before pulling up to go through the hilly/zigzaggy part (we're just not there yet). Walked and trotted with TJ and Mike for a bit, and then really let them gallop up the big hill - they all like that.
Next, Mike stayed behind by the entrance and we again cantered up the first long straight part. We started to do a circle like he said to, and she got a little hot and strong when we were headed back toward TJ and also to the farm. Once I got her head down and around, though, she wanted to break to a trot, but I sat just right, hesitated just one step, and THEN asked her to keep going forward - and I got the nicest, roundest canter. I could feel myself wanting and asking for every step, but not because she was slowing down, we were just in sync. It was super nice!
We went around the field the other way so that we went down the big hill, and she was the straightest coming down it she has been (she usually tries to serpentine down it, I think because of lack of balance) and then we trotted and cantered some. She didn't mind at all when TJ cantered up behind her.
When we got back, we went back in the outdoor for a bit and got a SUPER light trot out of her, then she offered the canter and was right there when I asked her to keep going.
Nothing could ruin the mood of this day!!!
So we tacked up and did some light bending, engagement/disengagement, moving off of leg warm up work in the outdoor, and then went out into the field. Marty came around with us with Karen's horse (I think someone said something to her about how I felt, because she was REALLY nice and supportive and complimentary) for one lap, and the lap after that we walked and trotted, with a canter up the hill. TJ tried to canter right out of field, haha, but we went back in and Mike said he wanted us to do some canter work if we were ready for that. I was all for it, as she's so EASY to get going forward in the field. So, he said if we got going, go for it, he and TJ would catch up. I brought her up to a canter and cantered down the whole front part of the field. We came to a walk, let Mike catch up, and then cantered the second stretch before pulling up to go through the hilly/zigzaggy part (we're just not there yet). Walked and trotted with TJ and Mike for a bit, and then really let them gallop up the big hill - they all like that.
Next, Mike stayed behind by the entrance and we again cantered up the first long straight part. We started to do a circle like he said to, and she got a little hot and strong when we were headed back toward TJ and also to the farm. Once I got her head down and around, though, she wanted to break to a trot, but I sat just right, hesitated just one step, and THEN asked her to keep going forward - and I got the nicest, roundest canter. I could feel myself wanting and asking for every step, but not because she was slowing down, we were just in sync. It was super nice!
We went around the field the other way so that we went down the big hill, and she was the straightest coming down it she has been (she usually tries to serpentine down it, I think because of lack of balance) and then we trotted and cantered some. She didn't mind at all when TJ cantered up behind her.
When we got back, we went back in the outdoor for a bit and got a SUPER light trot out of her, then she offered the canter and was right there when I asked her to keep going.
Nothing could ruin the mood of this day!!!
9/29: Monday
So Mike got on Elle first to loosen her up for me. He brought her around, got her sensitive to the leg and reins, and also worked on keeping her in the canter when she wanted to stop. Then he also showed me something else to do with her. Since day one, I've known how to disengage her hind end - essentially making it so that she has to move her hind end in order to stop from spinning out. This is a good exercise to know you can put her feet where you want, but it's also the part of a one rein stop that works - you make it so that they have to keep their feet underneath them, or they won't be able to balance.
Today, though, we learned about engaging the hind end - that is, making her track up with her inside hind to propel herself forward. You do this on a small, but forward circle, where you're giving her some contact on the reins. It'll get better as the hind end gets stronger.
I got on and we did a bunch of slow work, because she wasn't a ball of energy. Once she seemed like she was getting a little bored with that, we switched it up to something else so that she would keep learning. Horses are just like kids in that they need to be interested in the material or they're not going to be in the place where they can absorb.
We started with getting her to respond right off of my leg to go to the trot. That was done by using the whip and letting her trot, then using just my leg and seeing what kind of response we got. It went well.
Then, Mike wanted me to really open her up and gallop her around a little bit. And guess what? She was tired, and done with working, and when I used the whip to tap her, she bucked. Two different times! But it was ok, in fact it was great. Because of how forward she was going, she couldn't give them her all, got unbalanced, and seemed to realize it was easier and more comfortable if you just stayed in stride.
And so I took that, rode her forward, and cantered ALL the way around the ring! Yahoo!! I don't know if I should be excited about all this, but I am!
Today, though, we learned about engaging the hind end - that is, making her track up with her inside hind to propel herself forward. You do this on a small, but forward circle, where you're giving her some contact on the reins. It'll get better as the hind end gets stronger.
I got on and we did a bunch of slow work, because she wasn't a ball of energy. Once she seemed like she was getting a little bored with that, we switched it up to something else so that she would keep learning. Horses are just like kids in that they need to be interested in the material or they're not going to be in the place where they can absorb.
We started with getting her to respond right off of my leg to go to the trot. That was done by using the whip and letting her trot, then using just my leg and seeing what kind of response we got. It went well.
Then, Mike wanted me to really open her up and gallop her around a little bit. And guess what? She was tired, and done with working, and when I used the whip to tap her, she bucked. Two different times! But it was ok, in fact it was great. Because of how forward she was going, she couldn't give them her all, got unbalanced, and seemed to realize it was easier and more comfortable if you just stayed in stride.
And so I took that, rode her forward, and cantered ALL the way around the ring! Yahoo!! I don't know if I should be excited about all this, but I am!
9/28: Sunday
I rode in the indoor because it was almost dark out and it was rainy. It could not have gone better! Elle's walk and trot were both super forward and loose. I cantered her around a bunch, and our departs were perfect. Our canters, although short lived, had great downward transitions into the trot unlike the one's we were getting before where she would just quit. The steering was perfect in the indoor, so that gives me something nice to think about - it's still there! It's getting better in the outdoor...instead of spinning around or not coming through, she's just cutting corners.
After working for a while (she was actually breathing hard, I didn't know she had it in her!) we went out into the outdoor in the dark. She wasn't looky about anything and she walked and trotted with NO steering issues. I know it was because I wasn't working her too hard and because she had already warmed up, but it felt nice!
After working for a while (she was actually breathing hard, I didn't know she had it in her!) we went out into the outdoor in the dark. She wasn't looky about anything and she walked and trotted with NO steering issues. I know it was because I wasn't working her too hard and because she had already warmed up, but it felt nice!
9/24: Wednesday
If my memory serves me, only I rode on Wednesday. I took my whip, and Mike had TJ out. We cantered first to warm up, and then came back to do some slower work. After working on the corners and the energy level in the walk and trot, we picked up our canter. What Mike had me work on was putting the reins in my outside hand and keeping the whip at her butt the whole time and rhythmically tapping her. This would keep her going forward. All the way around the ring, I tapped that butt until she tricked me and broke to the trot. I get the concept, I just have to learn how to decide when it's time to rev her up a little more.
Marty was watching the whole time, and her comment was, "I really think that saddle is making all of the difference in the world." Hey, thanks. I realize I've been riding for 6 months in this saddle and we were NOT getting this when I was working with you, but...yeah, it's probably the saddle, not the hard work or Michael's help.
Brought a damper on my great ride of using my whip and NOT getting bucked off at the canter, but I'm trying not to get down about it.
Marty was watching the whole time, and her comment was, "I really think that saddle is making all of the difference in the world." Hey, thanks. I realize I've been riding for 6 months in this saddle and we were NOT getting this when I was working with you, but...yeah, it's probably the saddle, not the hard work or Michael's help.
Brought a damper on my great ride of using my whip and NOT getting bucked off at the canter, but I'm trying not to get down about it.
9/22: Monday
After riding both days of the weekend (plus Friday), I had a splitting headache on Monday. The old me would have just called to cancel, but I'm excited about working with Elle and getting her back to where she should be. So, I went down to the barn anyway and asked Mike if he would mind just working with her today - I thought I would be sick if I had to post!
He started her off at a canter, which was what was necessary to get a good walk out of her. After she rolled a little bit, he did some really good work at all 3 gaits and she looked happy. He worked with the whip with her, tapping her when she needed it and getting it so that legs and reins asked for straight and the whip was what was asking for forward. She seemed to get it and didn't cut in the corners.
I asked him what would happen if he used the whip at the canter - that's one of my fears ever since I convinced myself that was one of the original reasons she bucked. His answer? "Let's find out!" So off at a canter they went, and he tapped her butt with the whip in the same rhythm her stride had. What did she offer? More forward. BUT I think one of the keys was, she was already in front of his leg, and who has time to buck when you're going forward? Also, his reins were loose enough that he was giving her somewhere to go - that's one of my main bad habits. I tend to grab the reins back and ask her to go faster all at once - I can see how this would be confusing!! But it's getting better.
He rode her for a good 45 minutes and then we called it quits because it was starting to rain and he was on bring in duty. Before he went in, though, he took of the saddle and got on her bareback because I had asked him about that on a different day. He says he doubts she's ever been ridden like that, but she was good about it. She didn't balk or get weird when he got on, but he was very quiet on her, too. He says if we take that part slow, there's no reason she can't be ridden bareback. It's just a MUCH closer feel for her.
He started her off at a canter, which was what was necessary to get a good walk out of her. After she rolled a little bit, he did some really good work at all 3 gaits and she looked happy. He worked with the whip with her, tapping her when she needed it and getting it so that legs and reins asked for straight and the whip was what was asking for forward. She seemed to get it and didn't cut in the corners.
I asked him what would happen if he used the whip at the canter - that's one of my fears ever since I convinced myself that was one of the original reasons she bucked. His answer? "Let's find out!" So off at a canter they went, and he tapped her butt with the whip in the same rhythm her stride had. What did she offer? More forward. BUT I think one of the keys was, she was already in front of his leg, and who has time to buck when you're going forward? Also, his reins were loose enough that he was giving her somewhere to go - that's one of my main bad habits. I tend to grab the reins back and ask her to go faster all at once - I can see how this would be confusing!! But it's getting better.
He rode her for a good 45 minutes and then we called it quits because it was starting to rain and he was on bring in duty. Before he went in, though, he took of the saddle and got on her bareback because I had asked him about that on a different day. He says he doubts she's ever been ridden like that, but she was good about it. She didn't balk or get weird when he got on, but he was very quiet on her, too. He says if we take that part slow, there's no reason she can't be ridden bareback. It's just a MUCH closer feel for her.
9/21: Sunday
Lisa asked me if I wanted to ride with her, and I almost bailed but accepted and I was glad. Sunday rides with Lisa normally consist of going out in the field and chatting, but they were haying so we were forced to do REAL work in the outdoor - the horrors! We used a whip and got the engine revved a little bit. We did a few canters/gallops up the long sides and even got one around the short side, plus a BUNCH of nice walks and trots. I think that people underestimate the walk but it really is important. Not only does it get the horse more responsive to your leg and gets the basics down at a slow speed, but it's so good for their muscles.
9/20: Saturday
I wasn't going to ride, but I went out to the barn to groom and Lynn was tacking up Remi to go in the field, so I got Elle ready, too. We didn't do any work, just walked around the field 4 or so times, but it was a nice, relaxing day. I think it's important to not allow anything BAD to happen, but to have rides where you're not really concentrating too hard, either. Elle was respectful of my leg and hands, and therefore she got to just go see the sights.
9/19: Friday
On Friday, I got my whip back (it was kindly suggested I take it, haha). And it really did make all the difference. When she was being slow at the walk, I reached back and just once gave her a decent tap across the top of her butt to let her know I had it and that it could be used. I got a big cowkick, but after that all I had to do (for the most part) was hold it back there and she'd go forward again. Because she knew I had it, too, she didn't get nervous if I did have to use it. We used it to just get her to go forward, somewhere...didn't worry about steering for a little bit, just forward. I'd get off her back and tap tap tap until I got a transition of some sort (either within the gait or into the next gait) and then I'd let her be. By the time I got off of her, she was very accepting of the leg and was ready to move off.
9/17: Wednesday
9/17: Wednesday - First day riding and I freaking CANTERED. Hahaha. We started out in the field to get warmed up, just walking, and talking about what I thought the problem was. I told Mike that for the first day, I would like him to bring Elle into the outdoor and put her through her paces to see if she bucks with him, and what he thinks the problem is.
So we left the field, switched horses (I thought it was hard to get Elle to go forward sometimes, nevermind TJ!!!) and he let her offer the canter, got into his halfseat, and she was happy as a clam cantering around the outdoor. Of course, I felt like a fool, and told Michael as much. I got on at that point, though, and he had me get in my half seat and really encourage her to move forward. And she did! We cantered, forward, with no bucking. We only made it up the long side of the ring, but that's alright. That was the first time I cantered outside for more than 3 strides without her trying to dump me (or at least kicking up her heels).
So we left the field, switched horses (I thought it was hard to get Elle to go forward sometimes, nevermind TJ!!!) and he let her offer the canter, got into his halfseat, and she was happy as a clam cantering around the outdoor. Of course, I felt like a fool, and told Michael as much. I got on at that point, though, and he had me get in my half seat and really encourage her to move forward. And she did! We cantered, forward, with no bucking. We only made it up the long side of the ring, but that's alright. That was the first time I cantered outside for more than 3 strides without her trying to dump me (or at least kicking up her heels).
9/15: Monday
Got to the barn and Jose had bowed a tendon, so we spent some time fixing him up. Vet work and shoeing isn't what I had in mind for our month of training, but Jose obviously had to be cared for, and that I learned was actually very interesting. Mike put a shoe on (but I forget what it was called) to make Cuervo more comfortable, and let me tell you, it really worked!
We spent the rest of the time after shoeing doing groundwork with Elle. Luckily, she's got a pretty good basis, as she came with a strong set of manners and we've reinforced that every day. We did some lasso work, which I hadn't done, and that REALLY gave her the clear picture. Since then, we just do the work in the rope halter or the leather halter, and she's much better about things like stopping for grass, keeping up with me, trotting if I want her to trot in hand, etc etc.
We spent the rest of the time after shoeing doing groundwork with Elle. Luckily, she's got a pretty good basis, as she came with a strong set of manners and we've reinforced that every day. We did some lasso work, which I hadn't done, and that REALLY gave her the clear picture. Since then, we just do the work in the rope halter or the leather halter, and she's much better about things like stopping for grass, keeping up with me, trotting if I want her to trot in hand, etc etc.
Starting with Michael
To give a little rundown on who Michael is, he's my farrier/barn owner/horse breaker/masseuse/GREAT guy and rider. He grew up breaking and riding race horses, jumpers, dressage horses, etc. His brother is a jockey turned blacksmith. He's really a great guy to have around. Some people have trouble with his teaching style, but I personally get a ton out of it, so to each his own.
I knew that Michael would work with Elle if he had time, and with his last project, Rivers, leaving, I decided to ask if we could work out training board for a month or two, whatever we needed. We decided to start on 9/15/08 and work Elle MWF at 3pm. Some people say that it's best to work 3 days on, 1 day off, but I'm convinced that while that MAY be the best, the most important thing is to be consistent and to set a schedule for yourself that you can actually follow. It's very ambitious for me to say I'm going to ride 7 days a week, but when it doesn't happen I've only let myself down.
I knew that Michael would work with Elle if he had time, and with his last project, Rivers, leaving, I decided to ask if we could work out training board for a month or two, whatever we needed. We decided to start on 9/15/08 and work Elle MWF at 3pm. Some people say that it's best to work 3 days on, 1 day off, but I'm convinced that while that MAY be the best, the most important thing is to be consistent and to set a schedule for yourself that you can actually follow. It's very ambitious for me to say I'm going to ride 7 days a week, but when it doesn't happen I've only let myself down.
The story
Backing up, let me give the run down of what was going on with Elle.
The winter went great, and the spring started out amazing. We were picking up the left lead (the one that used to be harder), and just having a grand time. We had just started our first small courses (!!) of 4 or 5 fences in succession, including lines and roll backs. Then the bucking started.
The first time it happened, I think I hit her on the flank with a crop and she didn't like that. It was totally unsuspected, as she had warmed up great and never bucked before, but oh well. I got unbalanced, lost both stirrups, and she bolted. I made the conscious decision to bail, and I was hurting after that!!
Got back on, went to work, everything seemed good.
Fast forward 2 weeks, she again bucks in the middle of a beautiful canter, with no wrong doing that I can tell on my part. And this one was DIRTY - nose on the ground and feet straight up like a bronc's before I knew what was happening. I was off before she came back up again but then I guess she went REALLY up - straight up - and that's a big no no.
Now, it's been 7 years since I've been bucked off a horse. And the last time I broke my collarbone. So, I think my ego got more bruised than my body did, but none-the-less, I've been scared to ride my horse since April.
We did a lot of roundpen work for a while, which probably only solidified the idea that there was something to be afraid of. When we finally started riding again, it was in the roundpen, and then on a big breakthrough day, the full indoor! I wasn't afraid to ask for the canter in there, but I was NOT about to ask her to keep GOING when she wanted to break to trot. Finally, one day, I asked her to keep going (with my leg and seat, but no whip - we weren't there yet), and she did, and I was happy and called it a day.
In the meantime, we were doing a lot of walks and trots in the field with me telling myself it was to get us comfortable again - but I was already completely comfortable in the field, as the mare is super sensible and doesn't have a true spook in her (what a difference from Harl!) We DID accomplish walking and trotting through muddy water, though, so I guess it wasn't all for nothing.
Working in the outdoor was another story, though. The outdoor is where both bucking incidents occured, and even though correlation does not imply causation ... well, you know where my mind went. Our first works in the outdoor consisted of us going out there and having NO form of forward whatsoever. And then she got weird about the gate...anywhere near it and we would get forward, alright, straight to the gate. If I turned her away or pushed her past the gate, that was cause for rearing (do geldings do the silly things mares do?)
So we finally get where we can walk and trot around the outdoor, successfully getting past the gate most of the time, and took Elle to her first show! We opted for a dressage show, as it would give me a chance to get in the ring with her alone and see how we both acted under pressure. It would also give me some helpful feedback, whereas in a HUS class we'd just pin (or not pin) somewhere and that would be that. It wouldn't be a learning experience, and I thought that that was important for our first adventure.
She was great, absolutely a star. She loaded and rode wonderfully, trailer tied, and warmed up without any yahoos at ALL. The judge's tent was the only thing that was a cause for concern, but by that I mean she wanted to stop and look at it for a minute, and then pooped by it and that was that. She kept offering the canter in the warm up but we got through that and everything was great.
At home after that, though, we decided to bring her back up to a canter again. Then she started bucking again. At that point, I had started riding in the Aussie saddle, and that helped things as far as me coming off (hasn't happened again), but the bucking was still very much there. It seemed to be in the outdoor exclusively, and a couple of strides into a canter SHE would offer. She isn't and never has been back sore, and the saddle fits great. Just a training issue?
The bottom line is that I really felt like I had to get someone else on her, and that's where Michael came in. Marty won't ride her, which is fine. It's frustrating, but fine. I have a hard time taking advice from people that won't put themselves in my position. I knew Mike would ride her, and so we made the plan to do a month's worth of training together, and see where we got.
The winter went great, and the spring started out amazing. We were picking up the left lead (the one that used to be harder), and just having a grand time. We had just started our first small courses (!!) of 4 or 5 fences in succession, including lines and roll backs. Then the bucking started.
The first time it happened, I think I hit her on the flank with a crop and she didn't like that. It was totally unsuspected, as she had warmed up great and never bucked before, but oh well. I got unbalanced, lost both stirrups, and she bolted. I made the conscious decision to bail, and I was hurting after that!!
Got back on, went to work, everything seemed good.
Fast forward 2 weeks, she again bucks in the middle of a beautiful canter, with no wrong doing that I can tell on my part. And this one was DIRTY - nose on the ground and feet straight up like a bronc's before I knew what was happening. I was off before she came back up again but then I guess she went REALLY up - straight up - and that's a big no no.
Now, it's been 7 years since I've been bucked off a horse. And the last time I broke my collarbone. So, I think my ego got more bruised than my body did, but none-the-less, I've been scared to ride my horse since April.
We did a lot of roundpen work for a while, which probably only solidified the idea that there was something to be afraid of. When we finally started riding again, it was in the roundpen, and then on a big breakthrough day, the full indoor! I wasn't afraid to ask for the canter in there, but I was NOT about to ask her to keep GOING when she wanted to break to trot. Finally, one day, I asked her to keep going (with my leg and seat, but no whip - we weren't there yet), and she did, and I was happy and called it a day.
In the meantime, we were doing a lot of walks and trots in the field with me telling myself it was to get us comfortable again - but I was already completely comfortable in the field, as the mare is super sensible and doesn't have a true spook in her (what a difference from Harl!) We DID accomplish walking and trotting through muddy water, though, so I guess it wasn't all for nothing.
Working in the outdoor was another story, though. The outdoor is where both bucking incidents occured, and even though correlation does not imply causation ... well, you know where my mind went. Our first works in the outdoor consisted of us going out there and having NO form of forward whatsoever. And then she got weird about the gate...anywhere near it and we would get forward, alright, straight to the gate. If I turned her away or pushed her past the gate, that was cause for rearing (do geldings do the silly things mares do?)
So we finally get where we can walk and trot around the outdoor, successfully getting past the gate most of the time, and took Elle to her first show! We opted for a dressage show, as it would give me a chance to get in the ring with her alone and see how we both acted under pressure. It would also give me some helpful feedback, whereas in a HUS class we'd just pin (or not pin) somewhere and that would be that. It wouldn't be a learning experience, and I thought that that was important for our first adventure.
She was great, absolutely a star. She loaded and rode wonderfully, trailer tied, and warmed up without any yahoos at ALL. The judge's tent was the only thing that was a cause for concern, but by that I mean she wanted to stop and look at it for a minute, and then pooped by it and that was that. She kept offering the canter in the warm up but we got through that and everything was great.
At home after that, though, we decided to bring her back up to a canter again. Then she started bucking again. At that point, I had started riding in the Aussie saddle, and that helped things as far as me coming off (hasn't happened again), but the bucking was still very much there. It seemed to be in the outdoor exclusively, and a couple of strides into a canter SHE would offer. She isn't and never has been back sore, and the saddle fits great. Just a training issue?
The bottom line is that I really felt like I had to get someone else on her, and that's where Michael came in. Marty won't ride her, which is fine. It's frustrating, but fine. I have a hard time taking advice from people that won't put themselves in my position. I knew Mike would ride her, and so we made the plan to do a month's worth of training together, and see where we got.
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