Today, I came to the barn with a new found confidence. Since I rode yesterday without my instructor, I hoped today's lesson would be equally as good. I explained to my instructor what we had worked on it yesterday and the results that I had with my "Good Boy's" and psychological support. She seemed interested in seeing how this effected Toby.
We started by lunging, but Toby wasn't too excited. We started riding. I spent a little more time working at the walk than normal because I needed to loosen up myself. After our warm up, we started in the rising trot. Again, Toby was relaxed and moving rhythmically. We even managed to travel across the diagonal to change rein without losing rhythm. "Good Boy."
Are you kidding me? 2 days in a row. This is Waaaay Coool.
Laura (my riding instructor) wanted to see our leg yields on the center line. Our last attempt with her was not the greatest. We went down the long side and turned onto the center line. Toby was straight almost immediately, so I asked for the leg yield (albeit in the wrong direction). He willingly obliged my request. It was a little disjointed, but it was better than before. We continued leg yielding. Every leg yield got a little better. On our last attempt, we made it from the center line to just past the quarter line without losing rhythm. WONDERFUL!! GOOD BOY TOBY!
Another horse joined us in the arena towards the end of our lesson. Toby didn't even seem to care. A large chunk of ice fell off the roof of the arena and crashed outside. Toby didn't seem to care.
Was this really the same horse?
Could he really be this calm right now?
This was amazing. I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. I patted him lovingly and told him what a wonderful boy he was being.
We finished our lesson with some canter work on the 20 meter circle with no trouble. Complete with another horse lunging at the other end of the arena.
I have vowed to Toby that I would not leave him hanging psychologically anymore. Toby is the type of horse that will give everything he has to make his human happy. I happen to be that human. Laura has repeatedly told me that I am the only person that Toby will allow to ride him. That I am his human. I need to take that role seriously. From this day on, Toby will be praised for his good work. For his commitment and for his heart. Here's to understanding.
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
An Epiphany
Have you ever hit a block with your horse that you just weren't sure how you were going to overcome? Well, I had hit that point with Toby. How were we going to get past his canter depart issues? And the trouble with his erratic mental state.
Ok, I've been riding Toby for almost 11 months. During that time, I have also been transitioning from the hunter world to Dressage. As a result, my focus has been on my riding skills and style.
After my mishap and vaulting experience last week and a week long layoff due to life getting in the way, I came to the realization that I have been focusing waaaaaay to too much on myself and not enough on my horse. So, when I returned to ride Toby yesterday, I took a different approach. Instead of worrying so much about putting this hand here and that hand there and this foot this way and the other that way, I decided to ride the way I know that I can and let the rest just fall into place. Surprisingly, it did.
Epiphany!! I was so worried about being perfect myself that I neglected to give Toby the psychological support that he needed. As a result, Toby willingly gave all of himself - sometimes exurburantly. Today, he was a calm and steady mount despite being in his stall for over a week.
We did our usual leg yields along the wall with ease. I even asked him for a leg yields on center line and much to my surprise he did it. And did it well. We did some trot, halt, trot transitions while maintaining contact. And turns on the forehand were not a fight. Yay!! It is truly amazing what a "Good Boy" and a pat on the neck will do.
My confidence was soaring. And apparently, so was Toby's. Before we finished, we had just one more demon to exorcise - Canter departs. Toby and I started at a nice rhythmical trot on the 20 meter circle. I sat a few strides, moved my outside foot back slightly, said a quick prayer and asked for the canter. WOW!!! A beautiful canter depart and well balanced canter. We moved to the rail and stayed upright in the corners. AWESOME!! Another pat and "Good Boy" and we were ready for the other side. Would it be a repeat of last week, now that he knows what we're doing? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. Toby again stepped right into the canter with no protest. WOO HOO. We are finished for the day with a giant hug, pat and "GOOOOOD BOY."
Ok, I've been riding Toby for almost 11 months. During that time, I have also been transitioning from the hunter world to Dressage. As a result, my focus has been on my riding skills and style.
After my mishap and vaulting experience last week and a week long layoff due to life getting in the way, I came to the realization that I have been focusing waaaaaay to too much on myself and not enough on my horse. So, when I returned to ride Toby yesterday, I took a different approach. Instead of worrying so much about putting this hand here and that hand there and this foot this way and the other that way, I decided to ride the way I know that I can and let the rest just fall into place. Surprisingly, it did.
Epiphany!! I was so worried about being perfect myself that I neglected to give Toby the psychological support that he needed. As a result, Toby willingly gave all of himself - sometimes exurburantly. Today, he was a calm and steady mount despite being in his stall for over a week.
We did our usual leg yields along the wall with ease. I even asked him for a leg yields on center line and much to my surprise he did it. And did it well. We did some trot, halt, trot transitions while maintaining contact. And turns on the forehand were not a fight. Yay!! It is truly amazing what a "Good Boy" and a pat on the neck will do.
My confidence was soaring. And apparently, so was Toby's. Before we finished, we had just one more demon to exorcise - Canter departs. Toby and I started at a nice rhythmical trot on the 20 meter circle. I sat a few strides, moved my outside foot back slightly, said a quick prayer and asked for the canter. WOW!!! A beautiful canter depart and well balanced canter. We moved to the rail and stayed upright in the corners. AWESOME!! Another pat and "Good Boy" and we were ready for the other side. Would it be a repeat of last week, now that he knows what we're doing? NOT ON YOUR LIFE. Toby again stepped right into the canter with no protest. WOO HOO. We are finished for the day with a giant hug, pat and "GOOOOOD BOY."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lunging for fun and profit
Yesterday was my first day back to the barn in about a week. Due to some conflicts and limited time, I didn't have time to ride Toby. I got him out and got him ready to lunge. We were able to go into the outdoor arena. He started out really forward in the trot, but things went pretty well.
He started to canter and spooked himself. Obviously, this wasn't going to go much better than our ride last Thursday. I ended up having to bring him in on a 10 meter circle before he would stop cantering.
After we lunged both directions, we spent some bonding time walking around the outdoor. He did relax and seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully, our ride tomorrow will be better than the last.
He started to canter and spooked himself. Obviously, this wasn't going to go much better than our ride last Thursday. I ended up having to bring him in on a 10 meter circle before he would stop cantering.
After we lunged both directions, we spent some bonding time walking around the outdoor. He did relax and seemed to really enjoy it. Hopefully, our ride tomorrow will be better than the last.
New Career - Vaulting
After another 2 absolutely amazing lessons on Toby, we had a back slide. Things continued going well after my last post until our last ride. We finally had some warmer weather. Consequently, Tobs was feeling really, really good. We started our lessons with several transitions in the leg yield from walk to trot. Everything was going well, but he was a little tense. We started the canter work with a buck or two and a really nice flying change (totally by accident of course).
Trot transition, re-group, canter depart. Much better.
Well, we got through the right lead complete with a few "ride 'em cowgirl" comments from my riding instructor. Now, we are ready to reverse.
The left lead canter was not so good. I asked for the canter depart and received a very energetic series of bucks. I sat the first ok, but on the second I became too un-balanced to hang on. Of course, we were heading into the corner of the arena when this happened. I bailed into the corner with quite a bit of hang time (17 plus hands is a long way up. LOL). Miraculously, I landed on my feet and was able to stay below the flying hooves.
Apparently, my vaulting skills were quite impressive, because my instructor said that I could head up her vaulting team if she starts one.
I re-grouped on the way back to the mounting block and climbed back on. We spent the next 20 minutes on the lunge line doing trot canter trot transitions. We only managed to get one clean canter transition without a buck in that time. UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!
We called it a day with only one clean canter depart.
Surprisingly, I wasn't that sore afterwards. Just extremely frustrated with the way Toby acted. I'm hoping that we can pull through Toby's little Diva-tude. It is so frustrating that he has the talent and physical ability to go so far, but his mental state is not there yet. Will ever get the Relaxation part of the training pyramid? Time will tell.
Trot transition, re-group, canter depart. Much better.
Well, we got through the right lead complete with a few "ride 'em cowgirl" comments from my riding instructor. Now, we are ready to reverse.
The left lead canter was not so good. I asked for the canter depart and received a very energetic series of bucks. I sat the first ok, but on the second I became too un-balanced to hang on. Of course, we were heading into the corner of the arena when this happened. I bailed into the corner with quite a bit of hang time (17 plus hands is a long way up. LOL). Miraculously, I landed on my feet and was able to stay below the flying hooves.
Apparently, my vaulting skills were quite impressive, because my instructor said that I could head up her vaulting team if she starts one.
I re-grouped on the way back to the mounting block and climbed back on. We spent the next 20 minutes on the lunge line doing trot canter trot transitions. We only managed to get one clean canter transition without a buck in that time. UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!
We called it a day with only one clean canter depart.
Surprisingly, I wasn't that sore afterwards. Just extremely frustrated with the way Toby acted. I'm hoping that we can pull through Toby's little Diva-tude. It is so frustrating that he has the talent and physical ability to go so far, but his mental state is not there yet. Will ever get the Relaxation part of the training pyramid? Time will tell.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Dressage Academy Newsletter is live
Dressage Academy's February 2011 newsletter is now online. Check it out here
Thursday, February 17, 2011
We're On Our Way
This week just keeps getting better. We're are getting back into the groove.
My mom and a family friend were coming to watch me ride. Mom hasn't seen Toby since last Summer, so she was really excited about seeing our progress.
As usual, we started our lesson with leg yielding along the wall. This seems to engage and relax Toby. Again, Toby maintained his rhythm nicely, but he would occasionally try to take over. Half Halt - (My new best friend). Half halt, re-group and on we go.
We worked on lengthening and collecting within the leg yield. This went pretty well and helped to prevent Toby from taking over. I finally feel like I am starting to have some foresight.
Next we moved on to the canter. After Tuesday's ride, my confidence was way high so I asked if I could try cantering off the lunge line. My riding instructor said of course. But much to my surprise, she said we needed to use the whole arena.
I moved Toby out onto the rail and began rising trot. As we went into the short side, I prepared for the canter depart. Toby stepped right into the canter again this time, but he had to protest a little. We had a few bucks and then we went down the long side. As we approached the next turn, the inside aids went up against and Toby maintained his balance through the turn. We continued around the arena for a few rounds completely in balance. Not bad for the using the whole arena for the first time in about 6 months.
We reversed and worked the other direction much the same way. I still can't believe what a difference a week makes. WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!!!
It's rides like this that keep us coming back for more, huh?
My mom and a family friend were coming to watch me ride. Mom hasn't seen Toby since last Summer, so she was really excited about seeing our progress.
As usual, we started our lesson with leg yielding along the wall. This seems to engage and relax Toby. Again, Toby maintained his rhythm nicely, but he would occasionally try to take over. Half Halt - (My new best friend). Half halt, re-group and on we go.
We worked on lengthening and collecting within the leg yield. This went pretty well and helped to prevent Toby from taking over. I finally feel like I am starting to have some foresight.
Next we moved on to the canter. After Tuesday's ride, my confidence was way high so I asked if I could try cantering off the lunge line. My riding instructor said of course. But much to my surprise, she said we needed to use the whole arena.
I moved Toby out onto the rail and began rising trot. As we went into the short side, I prepared for the canter depart. Toby stepped right into the canter again this time, but he had to protest a little. We had a few bucks and then we went down the long side. As we approached the next turn, the inside aids went up against and Toby maintained his balance through the turn. We continued around the arena for a few rounds completely in balance. Not bad for the using the whole arena for the first time in about 6 months.
We reversed and worked the other direction much the same way. I still can't believe what a difference a week makes. WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK!!!
It's rides like this that keep us coming back for more, huh?
A New Day
Tuesday
Today proved to be much better. We rode with another horse and rider that have been working on many of the same things that we have been working on. This was a little scary at first because Toby was upset about having to share the arena.
We started off working on our leg yielding along the wall. Toby was pretty good about maintaining the contact and his rhythm. Overall, I was pretty happy with how he was doing.
After some leg yielding, we moved on to "spiral in, spiral out." Now, the brain went into melt down mode. Anytime that I applied leg pressue, Toby would go faster. He became strung out and fell on the forehand. After some pretty strong half halts and 8-meter voltes, Toby decided that he would try to remain calm and do as I asked. We were doing pretty well until he spotted the other horse. Then he became frustrated and started sucking behind the vertical and swinging his haunches out. UGGGHHH. Walk Break.
During our walk break, I started rubbing my legs back and forth on his sides to desensitize him. At first, he would break into a trot every time I touched his sides. After a couple of minutes, he finally started to relax and let me touch his sides without immediately breaking into the trot. Yay for walk breaks.
Then came the dreaded words..."Now, we're going to try some canter work."
ME: "Is she serious? Hasn't she seen us stuggling just to maintain some sembelence of order here?"
Riding Instructor: "We're going to put Toby on the lunge line and see how he does."
Me: "OK. We'll see."
I reluctantly put Toby into the trot thinking this was going to be disasterous. "Now sit a few strides and ask for the canter."
ME: Sit, sit, sit, sit (while half halting)...ASK
Toby: Beautiful left lead canter depart.
My jaw about hit the floor. We had never had a canter depart like that before. He just stepped right into it. No fuss, No buck. THAT WAS WAY COOL.
Next was a nice downward transition to the trot and a small walk break.
I'm not sure where that came from, but I can live with it. And reverse.
I must admit I was a little apprehensive about going to the right. This is not my best side. I tend to twist and bring my left shoulder forward.
What happened next was unbelievable to me. Again, I put Toby in the trot, sat a few strides and asked for the canter. Toby's rear end dropped so much, I thought I was going to fall right off the back. It was like riding a rocking horse. He was collected, balanced and upright. HOLY COW!!
A beautiful downward transition to the trot, then to the walk and we were done for the day. AWESOME!! You can bet there was serious treating going on after that. LOL.
Today proved to be much better. We rode with another horse and rider that have been working on many of the same things that we have been working on. This was a little scary at first because Toby was upset about having to share the arena.
We started off working on our leg yielding along the wall. Toby was pretty good about maintaining the contact and his rhythm. Overall, I was pretty happy with how he was doing.
After some leg yielding, we moved on to "spiral in, spiral out." Now, the brain went into melt down mode. Anytime that I applied leg pressue, Toby would go faster. He became strung out and fell on the forehand. After some pretty strong half halts and 8-meter voltes, Toby decided that he would try to remain calm and do as I asked. We were doing pretty well until he spotted the other horse. Then he became frustrated and started sucking behind the vertical and swinging his haunches out. UGGGHHH. Walk Break.
During our walk break, I started rubbing my legs back and forth on his sides to desensitize him. At first, he would break into a trot every time I touched his sides. After a couple of minutes, he finally started to relax and let me touch his sides without immediately breaking into the trot. Yay for walk breaks.
Then came the dreaded words..."Now, we're going to try some canter work."
ME: "Is she serious? Hasn't she seen us stuggling just to maintain some sembelence of order here?"
Riding Instructor: "We're going to put Toby on the lunge line and see how he does."
Me: "OK. We'll see."
I reluctantly put Toby into the trot thinking this was going to be disasterous. "Now sit a few strides and ask for the canter."
ME: Sit, sit, sit, sit (while half halting)...ASK
Toby: Beautiful left lead canter depart.
My jaw about hit the floor. We had never had a canter depart like that before. He just stepped right into it. No fuss, No buck. THAT WAS WAY COOL.
Next was a nice downward transition to the trot and a small walk break.
I'm not sure where that came from, but I can live with it. And reverse.
I must admit I was a little apprehensive about going to the right. This is not my best side. I tend to twist and bring my left shoulder forward.
What happened next was unbelievable to me. Again, I put Toby in the trot, sat a few strides and asked for the canter. Toby's rear end dropped so much, I thought I was going to fall right off the back. It was like riding a rocking horse. He was collected, balanced and upright. HOLY COW!!
A beautiful downward transition to the trot, then to the walk and we were done for the day. AWESOME!! You can bet there was serious treating going on after that. LOL.
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