John rode Duke yesterday, and it took me quite a while to get all the moving parts (of me) to coordinate enough to ride him myself. For a while, I thought it wasn't going to happen, but John persevered, and we made it.
First, I got to watch Andrea, Allison, and Sarah's jump lesson, after I took Duke up and down the hill in the sun. It was really interesting to watch both their flat and their jump exercises, the differences and similarities between the three of them, and then which questions they asked John.
We started on a circle, John had me get Duke more round. He said Duke was pretty stiff yesterday too, which even I could feel when we jumped Saturday.
Then we went to a 10 meter circle around him, counterbent until his inside shoulder moved in, then he could bend back to the inside. John had us canter, and then - horrors - sit the trot.
At both the sitting trot and the canter, I had trouble keeping my damn butt in the saddle without curling up my heels and hunching over my shoulders. Especially when I was riding with my reins short and out in front of me.
I had to really think about pushing my butt down, pulling my shoulders back, and then pushing my heels down. And then checking that my left hand hadn't dropped. And by the time I used all that brain power on myself, I had to start checking again. I couldn't just feel and react to what Duke was doing. And when John would have me do an aid, it was like the whole house of cards collapsed.
So Duke eventually got softer (I don't understand why), but like John said, at first it was like riding a jackhammer. We did 10 meter circles at the trot, changes of direction, and 10 meter circles at the canter. A lot of it was asking him to bend, but we also made the circles smaller and larger by pushing his front legs over the top of each other and leg yielding back out without giving away the reins. At the sitting trot, John said to think about legs on/off/on/off to help some with the sitting, but it really felt like it was just my lower back that was stiff and wouldn't yield to let me "bounce" the trot.
There were so many aids, I couldn't think fast enough, especially when I needed to react or when one hand (or leg) needed to be doing something than the other hand. It was really good practice, but my god, how many hours is it going to take before I can do this stuff "naturally"?
Charlie with the long sought after cooler
Spring NWEC 2013 Novice
Monday, February 17, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Jump lesson - big oxer to a tight right hand turn
We warmed up with Christa and Alina, then jumped with Christa.
Duke was a little stiff in warm up, he kept wanting to pop his head up instead of going round (mostly whenever we went past John), and he was hard to bend around my leg. John had us go from trot to halt, and Duke halted square, but not round. John said for now, to be happy with square, that it will just make Duke more anxious to then mess with the round.
We started with a cross rail, turned it into a vertical, then changed directions.
Then we went over an oxer, right hand turn to a vertical, left hand turn to another vertical. I completely screwed up the first line, and went from the oxer on a hard right straight to the vertical, instead of looping around.
From there, then we did the second vertical on a very hard right turn to the first vertical. The first time, I just had to halt in the wall, back up four steps, turn right, and then trot over it. The second time, Duke did it perfectly. The third time we made the turn, but only barely.
John said that it is being able to expect a 10 meter circle at any moment you want on show jumping. If you can do a 10 meter circle in a dressage test, which is 320 mpm ish, you should also be able to ride a 10 meter circle at 350 mpm. He said same thing in cross country, if you lift your chest, the horse should immediately go fro 550 mpm to 450 mpm, so you could make a 20 meter circle.
The tricky part was riding from the forward oxer (it was big, with a lot of space down the long side) to the very hard right turn; you couldn't ride that turn as forward as you rode the oxer, so you had to adjust to a more controlled (but impulse) stride, and you had to ride the line very precisely (John walked it out and showed us).
It was a great lesson in the importance of precision, being aware of the questions being tested, and riding every step. Duke did ok. I was really happy with the second ride through the line, but disappointed that we didn't keep it, and the third time through we were just on the edge of the fence again.
Duke was a little stiff in warm up, he kept wanting to pop his head up instead of going round (mostly whenever we went past John), and he was hard to bend around my leg. John had us go from trot to halt, and Duke halted square, but not round. John said for now, to be happy with square, that it will just make Duke more anxious to then mess with the round.
We started with a cross rail, turned it into a vertical, then changed directions.
Then we went over an oxer, right hand turn to a vertical, left hand turn to another vertical. I completely screwed up the first line, and went from the oxer on a hard right straight to the vertical, instead of looping around.
From there, then we did the second vertical on a very hard right turn to the first vertical. The first time, I just had to halt in the wall, back up four steps, turn right, and then trot over it. The second time, Duke did it perfectly. The third time we made the turn, but only barely.
John said that it is being able to expect a 10 meter circle at any moment you want on show jumping. If you can do a 10 meter circle in a dressage test, which is 320 mpm ish, you should also be able to ride a 10 meter circle at 350 mpm. He said same thing in cross country, if you lift your chest, the horse should immediately go fro 550 mpm to 450 mpm, so you could make a 20 meter circle.
The tricky part was riding from the forward oxer (it was big, with a lot of space down the long side) to the very hard right turn; you couldn't ride that turn as forward as you rode the oxer, so you had to adjust to a more controlled (but impulse) stride, and you had to ride the line very precisely (John walked it out and showed us).
It was a great lesson in the importance of precision, being aware of the questions being tested, and riding every step. Duke did ok. I was really happy with the second ride through the line, but disappointed that we didn't keep it, and the third time through we were just on the edge of the fence again.
Saturday, February 08, 2020
Jump lesson - two oxers, one triple combination
Couple big takeaways from this lesson: I'm twisting towards the outside in my canter, which is (possibly) making Duke land on the wrong lead (when we switch directions each time). Putting my weight down in my outside leg, using the outside leg aid, and looking the direction I want to go makes him switch from 100% wrong lead to 100% correct lead.
It is easier to ask Duke to turn and control him over the fences with my legs than my hands.
We did some trot and canter work, then a small vertical (going left), a bigger vertical, an oxer (3'4"). Duke was fabulous. We switched directions and went over a small oxer that had fewer strides in front of it after the turn, but more distance on the far side. Duke got a little flat and grabby, so I had to really ride him out of the corner. This was a good exercise, to feel the difference between the two types of turns, and how much you have to plan ahead.
Then we switched to riding down the center, over three one-stride verticals. Duke was pretty good on these, except for me and the wrong lead thing.
Good lesson. Duke likes to jump. Me too.
We got to walk up the hill and back in a break in the rain afterwards.
It is easier to ask Duke to turn and control him over the fences with my legs than my hands.
We did some trot and canter work, then a small vertical (going left), a bigger vertical, an oxer (3'4"). Duke was fabulous. We switched directions and went over a small oxer that had fewer strides in front of it after the turn, but more distance on the far side. Duke got a little flat and grabby, so I had to really ride him out of the corner. This was a good exercise, to feel the difference between the two types of turns, and how much you have to plan ahead.
Then we switched to riding down the center, over three one-stride verticals. Duke was pretty good on these, except for me and the wrong lead thing.
Good lesson. Duke likes to jump. Me too.
We got to walk up the hill and back in a break in the rain afterwards.
Wednesday, February 05, 2020
How to Catch a Horse
Casually stroll into the pasture. Watch horse.
In this case, horse waited until John got right up next to him, then took off running up and down the fence line, skidding around and scaring himself and making himself more wound up.
Ignore horse. Walk another direction. Horse will follow.
Gradually corner horse using fence line, body, and tree. Slyly pen horse in open goat stall and leap forward and slam gate shut.
Back up plan is barn door open, in case horse runs in.
John said turn him out with his leather halter on (no lead rope), so you can just grab halter and clip lead rope. He said Duke is genuinely terrified of being caught, and is going to eventually hurt himself, either hurt a leg or go through the fence. He said a mare is no good, Duke will be an instigator and will get the shit kicked out of a front leg and end his career. He said build a chase pen (?) or extend the fence line 20' so I can corner him in and he doesn't have the whole pasture to run around in. And don't yell, hit, or be anxious; he planned to spend 2 hours catching Duke, with nothing else to do.
He said let him have water, he'll colic. And that it's super hard to catch a horse who doesn't mind starving to death instead of being caught.
I asked him to ride Duke the first few shows of the season, and then we'll see, Twin, Spokane, EI, maybe Inavale, don't know Rebecca. I'll ride him Aspen.
Then we did a crazy hard dressage lesson. John had us ride a 20 meter circle, then a 10 meter. When Duke is popping his shoulder to the outside, counterbend him. When I feel his shoulder go to the inside, he can go back to regular bend.
I had more success with the down transitions using the outside hand squeezing steady, and the inside hand squeeze and release. and LEG ON.
John wants me to move my hips more in canter - sit/glide/sit/glide, and then get my back up (good posture) not hunched over. It is really hard to both sit up and push my butt down and let it glide. My theory is I'm not coordinated enough. John says it's just really hard to use your hip flexors.
He had me ride Duke really forward, and then get him round. He said that in our accidental time off, Duke fell back into bad habits; he's a horse who needs to be ridden every step (he didn't quite say it like that), but if you don't ask him what to do and hold him accountable, he goes back to his easy way (pop the shoulder out, grab the bit and dive down).
Duke was during the lesson, like yesterday, really trying hard. Which makes me wish I could turn him out; I think it's good for him mentally.
The lesson was really hard, Duke got sweaty even with his clipping. But it's hard to put into words.
I was thinking, when I was stewing about him running away, that he's actually a pretty challenging horse, (I was actually thinking how I've ruined him) so I was trying to think of all the ways he's improved in the 2 1/2 years I've had him. Most of the time I can bridle him. He quit biting me. He hasn't bolted or frozen in a year. He doesn't canter around tilted like a crazy motorcycle. He doesn't grab the bit and bolt towards the fence. But he does run away like an asshole, and he rarely gives me anything; he makes me work for it.
In this case, horse waited until John got right up next to him, then took off running up and down the fence line, skidding around and scaring himself and making himself more wound up.
Ignore horse. Walk another direction. Horse will follow.
Gradually corner horse using fence line, body, and tree. Slyly pen horse in open goat stall and leap forward and slam gate shut.
Back up plan is barn door open, in case horse runs in.
John said turn him out with his leather halter on (no lead rope), so you can just grab halter and clip lead rope. He said Duke is genuinely terrified of being caught, and is going to eventually hurt himself, either hurt a leg or go through the fence. He said a mare is no good, Duke will be an instigator and will get the shit kicked out of a front leg and end his career. He said build a chase pen (?) or extend the fence line 20' so I can corner him in and he doesn't have the whole pasture to run around in. And don't yell, hit, or be anxious; he planned to spend 2 hours catching Duke, with nothing else to do.
He said let him have water, he'll colic. And that it's super hard to catch a horse who doesn't mind starving to death instead of being caught.
I asked him to ride Duke the first few shows of the season, and then we'll see, Twin, Spokane, EI, maybe Inavale, don't know Rebecca. I'll ride him Aspen.
Then we did a crazy hard dressage lesson. John had us ride a 20 meter circle, then a 10 meter. When Duke is popping his shoulder to the outside, counterbend him. When I feel his shoulder go to the inside, he can go back to regular bend.
I had more success with the down transitions using the outside hand squeezing steady, and the inside hand squeeze and release. and LEG ON.
John wants me to move my hips more in canter - sit/glide/sit/glide, and then get my back up (good posture) not hunched over. It is really hard to both sit up and push my butt down and let it glide. My theory is I'm not coordinated enough. John says it's just really hard to use your hip flexors.
He had me ride Duke really forward, and then get him round. He said that in our accidental time off, Duke fell back into bad habits; he's a horse who needs to be ridden every step (he didn't quite say it like that), but if you don't ask him what to do and hold him accountable, he goes back to his easy way (pop the shoulder out, grab the bit and dive down).
Duke was during the lesson, like yesterday, really trying hard. Which makes me wish I could turn him out; I think it's good for him mentally.
The lesson was really hard, Duke got sweaty even with his clipping. But it's hard to put into words.
I was thinking, when I was stewing about him running away, that he's actually a pretty challenging horse, (I was actually thinking how I've ruined him) so I was trying to think of all the ways he's improved in the 2 1/2 years I've had him. Most of the time I can bridle him. He quit biting me. He hasn't bolted or frozen in a year. He doesn't canter around tilted like a crazy motorcycle. He doesn't grab the bit and bolt towards the fence. But he does run away like an asshole, and he rarely gives me anything; he makes me work for it.
Saturday, February 01, 2020
Sick week; Prick Duke
I've been sick since Sunday, although with hindsight, Sunday was a walk in the park. Fortunately, Duke was spending half of the week with John, and he gave me a quick lesson Wednesday, rode him Thursday, and then hacked him Friday when I was too sick to make it out. Riding today was unpleasant; I was weak, and couldn't get enough air in my damn lungs, so gasped around like a fish out of water.
On top of that, Duke was just in a mood. He was stubborn, leaned on me, resistant, and basically acted like John has never ridden him before, and he wasn't going to respect John in the arena either. Eventually, John went and got his draw reins, and then Duke was miraculously an entirely different horse. He remembered how to go round and quit and soft and bent and pliable. Until we tried to halt, then he danced all around, unable to stand still (also when John put them on and off). So needless to say, we didn't get to jump.
However, I did get a little more insight into the aids. If we're going right, and I want him bent right, I am half halting with my left hand (inside leg on when I squeeze with outside hand), but I am using my right hand differently, to squeeze in release.
Then John had me halt by using my outside leg, and Duke stopped in a gorgeous, still, square halt.
So I think there's a secret to independent hands and legs that I'm on the cusp of getting that will make things better.
John also wanted heels down, BUTT IN THE SADDLE, sitting up tall, and carrying my hands. He said I was bending my wrist too much at one point, and had me collect the reins up way more than I thought I would.
He had us work on a 20 meter circle (with Tanya), then he'd say "10 meter circle!" and we'd shoot off into the 10 meter circle, where usually Duke wouldn't be bent enough. We'd leg yield back out to the 20 meter circle for a while and then he'd have us come back in.
Duke was just chewing chewing chewing chewing on the bit and thrashing his tail and just generally letting anyone know who looked at him that he wasn't enjoying himself. It's weird, 99.99% of the time after John rides him, he's a delight to be on, like a purring Cadillac.
On top of that, Duke was just in a mood. He was stubborn, leaned on me, resistant, and basically acted like John has never ridden him before, and he wasn't going to respect John in the arena either. Eventually, John went and got his draw reins, and then Duke was miraculously an entirely different horse. He remembered how to go round and quit and soft and bent and pliable. Until we tried to halt, then he danced all around, unable to stand still (also when John put them on and off). So needless to say, we didn't get to jump.
However, I did get a little more insight into the aids. If we're going right, and I want him bent right, I am half halting with my left hand (inside leg on when I squeeze with outside hand), but I am using my right hand differently, to squeeze in release.
Then John had me halt by using my outside leg, and Duke stopped in a gorgeous, still, square halt.
So I think there's a secret to independent hands and legs that I'm on the cusp of getting that will make things better.
John also wanted heels down, BUTT IN THE SADDLE, sitting up tall, and carrying my hands. He said I was bending my wrist too much at one point, and had me collect the reins up way more than I thought I would.
He had us work on a 20 meter circle (with Tanya), then he'd say "10 meter circle!" and we'd shoot off into the 10 meter circle, where usually Duke wouldn't be bent enough. We'd leg yield back out to the 20 meter circle for a while and then he'd have us come back in.
Duke was just chewing chewing chewing chewing on the bit and thrashing his tail and just generally letting anyone know who looked at him that he wasn't enjoying himself. It's weird, 99.99% of the time after John rides him, he's a delight to be on, like a purring Cadillac.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Flat lesson, Day 8 (?) of bute
Mr. Duke spent a few days at Caber this week; John rode him once, I rode him a couple times before and after. After John rode him, I could feel a difference, but he didn't feel as smooth as he usually does. John had me work hard on bending him - he's just leaning on my hand and ignoring me, basically, so we bent him to the inside until I could see his eye, then to the outside. John said at home I need to ride him with draw reins once or twice a week until he gets out of his new habit.
He also had me ride him a bit more forward than I normally do, both at the trot and canter. He clucked/kissed at him, and Duke lept into action. It was kind of irritating, since he pretty much blows me off.
We also tried a real dressage whip instead of my baby crop and took off his bell boots; John had me order a pair of professional choice no spin (the little bump to hold them in place) size large.
I still felt awful and discombobulated, like my hands are jerking all around, and my upper body and my lower leg. I don't know if I can feel it better, or if it's so much worse that I can't help but feel it.
Duke's down transitions were much better, but he isn't anywhere near where he was at the end of last show season, so we have a long road ahead of us. I just kept thinking "oh my god, another year of being in last place".
His hooves have been warm, but rotating - not consistently warm and not very warm. I don't know what's going on. John thinks Duke is a little stoic and works through it, and finally just kind of crapped out.
Onward ...
He also had me ride him a bit more forward than I normally do, both at the trot and canter. He clucked/kissed at him, and Duke lept into action. It was kind of irritating, since he pretty much blows me off.
We also tried a real dressage whip instead of my baby crop and took off his bell boots; John had me order a pair of professional choice no spin (the little bump to hold them in place) size large.
I still felt awful and discombobulated, like my hands are jerking all around, and my upper body and my lower leg. I don't know if I can feel it better, or if it's so much worse that I can't help but feel it.
Duke's down transitions were much better, but he isn't anywhere near where he was at the end of last show season, so we have a long road ahead of us. I just kept thinking "oh my god, another year of being in last place".
His hooves have been warm, but rotating - not consistently warm and not very warm. I don't know what's going on. John thinks Duke is a little stoic and works through it, and finally just kind of crapped out.
Onward ...
Thursday, January 09, 2020
Dressage lesson, then lunge line!
John rode Duke for two days, then I had a dressage lesson tonight. Even though Duke felt great when I got on him (his back always feels lifted, and he floats when he moves, and he's steadier in the rein and doesn't need as much leg after John rides him), I was all discombobulated and couldn't coordinate my aids for shit. So we worked on me looking at John to keep my circle the same size, and pushing him in (front legs cross over) or out (don't let shoulder bulge out). We worked on half halt (both legs steady on, outside rein), bending to the inside, bending to the outside, and then, both legs to move him forward. If he ignored me, which he spent some time doing, John told me to really make him pay attention.
John also tightened my nose band by a hole and put a loop in my flash and then tightened it.
Duke was going great, it was just me who was floppy, with my legs all over the place and my hands all over the place, and even my shoulders all over the place.
So then, when I thought we were done, John put me on the lunge line, with Duke in side reins. This felt absolutely crazy. I rode with my arms over my head, out to the side, on my hips, or left hand on my back (we were going left). I had to look at John, look to the front, look to the outside with my arms out to the side, then do it with my hands in "reins". I had to give a little with my inside hand. We went up to the trot, kept him going, cantered, and then had to do down transitions with my legs only. Yikes.
Then he had me stretch up, pull my ribs away from my hips, then look up (not down). This made me much taller and lifted my chest. He had me use my hip to push Duke out - not lean the direction I wanted to go, but slide my hip diagonal across the saddle, which Duke liked a lot and responded to instantly.
For the down transition, I had a eureka that I'm not using enough leg, and on the lunge line, I could feel how much I collapsed to the inside over my hip. It was amazing to feel the difference. Also, bizarrely, my legs went from behind me and tucked up to in front of me, like a ski boat.
John said that at shows, we might try lunging him for 20 minutes, riding for 10, then going into dressage. Just so he feels that he's supposed to be round and remembers it.
John also tightened my nose band by a hole and put a loop in my flash and then tightened it.
Duke was going great, it was just me who was floppy, with my legs all over the place and my hands all over the place, and even my shoulders all over the place.
So then, when I thought we were done, John put me on the lunge line, with Duke in side reins. This felt absolutely crazy. I rode with my arms over my head, out to the side, on my hips, or left hand on my back (we were going left). I had to look at John, look to the front, look to the outside with my arms out to the side, then do it with my hands in "reins". I had to give a little with my inside hand. We went up to the trot, kept him going, cantered, and then had to do down transitions with my legs only. Yikes.
Then he had me stretch up, pull my ribs away from my hips, then look up (not down). This made me much taller and lifted my chest. He had me use my hip to push Duke out - not lean the direction I wanted to go, but slide my hip diagonal across the saddle, which Duke liked a lot and responded to instantly.
For the down transition, I had a eureka that I'm not using enough leg, and on the lunge line, I could feel how much I collapsed to the inside over my hip. It was amazing to feel the difference. Also, bizarrely, my legs went from behind me and tucked up to in front of me, like a ski boat.
John said that at shows, we might try lunging him for 20 minutes, riding for 10, then going into dressage. Just so he feels that he's supposed to be round and remembers it.
Sunday, January 05, 2020
Dressage Sat; Jump w/Christa Sunday
Saturday we had a dressage lesson. Duke had his shoes reset on Tuesday, we rode in an insane wind/downpour on Thursday, and Friday he felt a little choppy in the canter. (The "insanity" was only 15 mph, with needly little occasional rain, and like 45 degrees - hardly a blizzard.)
We worked on getting Duke to release his throat latch, and when he wouldn't bend his neck but would only tilt his muzzle, John had me lift my left hand (it was going to the left), and sometimes bring it to the inside and then lift it.
He wanted me to get Duke moving more over his topline, so we also worked on giving him inside leg to outside hand, and in particular, making sure if I used outside hand, I put some leg on so he didn't stall.
John also had me work on sitting a few degrees further back (closer to upright, even though it feels like tilting backwards) to try to get my butt in the saddle. But the tricky part here was to keep my hips moving. When I lean back, I guess I set my hips, and if I thought about keeping them going, Duke wouldn't stall, but if I just leaned back without that "swing", he'd trot.
We continued some of the same work on trying to bend him, by counterbending, then bending back in, and also a bit about me not "perching" up over the front of the saddle.
Doug was at the lesson and he said that he couldn't see what I did, but he could see the difference in Duke after John told me to do things.
Then today we jumped with Christa, but Duke was much more off in the right front, so when John made the final fence big, we had to sit it out.
He started with having us post in a two point around for a while, canter, then switch directions. Then we did a grid, starting with ground poles, to one vertical, to a one stride vertical, to three verticals, to four verticals, with the fourth getting higher. I'm pretty sure Christa ended at 4'2". We quit way before that.
Duke was really excellent. The main things to work on were opening my chest, sitting up tall, and keeping my lower leg forward instead of letting it swing back. Duke handled the rest.
He's at Caber this week, so hopefully he'll be feeling better in that hoof by tomorrow so that he can get some work done with John. I gave him a bath after his ride today so Ashley can clip him, and his tail was itchy Saturday, and his sheath really needed cleaning. So my home method didn't work.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Third jump lesson; Duke getting back into it
For today's jump lesson, John gave us a little height and a little challenge.
We started with ground poles and a vertical; then a second vertical.
Rather than add the third oxer, John had us ride through, halt, do a turn on the forehand (which was absolutely pitiful), then ride back through the other direction.
Then we went back through and did it just one direction, with flow, until Duke did one absolutely perfectly.
As always, he gradually made the fences higher (ending at 3'11" -ish).
The biggest instruction to me was not to let him rush, and to slow him by using my upper body to sit back (and to open my chest), and to remember to use my damn voice. After a couple times through where I thought slow and said 'whoa-whoa', Duke got the hang of it and rounded himself up and over instead of plowing through.
John had us work a bit to start on the flat, as well, trying to get Mr Strung Out round and do some half decent transitions. We did some haunches in, outside bend, and - I think - inside leg to outside hand.
I thought the halt, turn around, and ride back through was terrifying, because it didn't look like we had enough "runway" to get through the fences, but Duke had no problem with it.
He was also much better about not rushing on the far side; I could easily halt him, or trot, or do a nice canter around the corner, unlike the first couple lessons where we were basically ramming the wall.
One time I let him drift left and John told me if I did it again, I had to ride without stirrups - I had to look up (it's easy to look down the line at the letter) and keep him in the center.
We talked about Duke's attitude, possible causes, possible solutions, and his diet. John said he's put on enough weight now, it was just how much he was losing each trailer ride last summer, and he was too skinny by the end, so it is better to start him a little fat this year. He said if he starts losing weight, we'll increase grain again (I replaced half a scoop of senior with half a scoop of rolled oats and cut out his evening beet pulp).
It was a really satisfying lesson, although the flat was not beautiful, the jumping felt a lot better than the last couple. It was definitely too much time off.
We started with ground poles and a vertical; then a second vertical.
Rather than add the third oxer, John had us ride through, halt, do a turn on the forehand (which was absolutely pitiful), then ride back through the other direction.
Then we went back through and did it just one direction, with flow, until Duke did one absolutely perfectly.
As always, he gradually made the fences higher (ending at 3'11" -ish).
The biggest instruction to me was not to let him rush, and to slow him by using my upper body to sit back (and to open my chest), and to remember to use my damn voice. After a couple times through where I thought slow and said 'whoa-whoa', Duke got the hang of it and rounded himself up and over instead of plowing through.
John had us work a bit to start on the flat, as well, trying to get Mr Strung Out round and do some half decent transitions. We did some haunches in, outside bend, and - I think - inside leg to outside hand.
I thought the halt, turn around, and ride back through was terrifying, because it didn't look like we had enough "runway" to get through the fences, but Duke had no problem with it.
He was also much better about not rushing on the far side; I could easily halt him, or trot, or do a nice canter around the corner, unlike the first couple lessons where we were basically ramming the wall.
One time I let him drift left and John told me if I did it again, I had to ride without stirrups - I had to look up (it's easy to look down the line at the letter) and keep him in the center.
We talked about Duke's attitude, possible causes, possible solutions, and his diet. John said he's put on enough weight now, it was just how much he was losing each trailer ride last summer, and he was too skinny by the end, so it is better to start him a little fat this year. He said if he starts losing weight, we'll increase grain again (I replaced half a scoop of senior with half a scoop of rolled oats and cut out his evening beet pulp).
It was a really satisfying lesson, although the flat was not beautiful, the jumping felt a lot better than the last couple. It was definitely too much time off.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Jump lesson with Christa
John started our jump lesson by making me ride without stirrups at the posting trot because I hadn't told him Christa was coming too. When it got too pitiful, he had me switch to standing up in the stirrups; he wanted my ankles to drop, but my damn ankles weren't interested. I had to hang on to Duke's breastplate to even stay up.
We did some trot and canter work, then worked our way through the grid - cross rail with ground poles, then to vertical, then to oxer. Like last week, my job was to not let Duke put his head down and run on the far side. We did better than last week, but I still had to ram him into the wall a couple times.
One time it worked great, and it was partly how I lined him up coming in, partly that I stayed balanced all the way through, and partly magic. The rest of the times, I fucked something up.
Near the end, John suggested that I say "whoa" over the last fence (and also had me look the direction I wanted to go). Like every other time John has reminded me of this, "whoa" out loud works amazing with Duke, yet it never occurs to me to do.
I have a trailer tire going flat, and like last year with my car tire, couldn't find an easy place to fill it on the way home. So that's the next irritant to deal with.
We did some trot and canter work, then worked our way through the grid - cross rail with ground poles, then to vertical, then to oxer. Like last week, my job was to not let Duke put his head down and run on the far side. We did better than last week, but I still had to ram him into the wall a couple times.
One time it worked great, and it was partly how I lined him up coming in, partly that I stayed balanced all the way through, and partly magic. The rest of the times, I fucked something up.
Near the end, John suggested that I say "whoa" over the last fence (and also had me look the direction I wanted to go). Like every other time John has reminded me of this, "whoa" out loud works amazing with Duke, yet it never occurs to me to do.
I have a trailer tire going flat, and like last year with my car tire, couldn't find an easy place to fill it on the way home. So that's the next irritant to deal with.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Dressage
Duke and I had a great dressage lesson today. John worked us pretty hard on getting the correct bend, and asking Duke to put his weight on his hind end ("sitting back") while still going forward. We had a few good moments, but good god - my fucking hands were like somebody with Parkinson's. It was agonizing. I could not get them to be still.
Duke was good about stepping forward and under, bending to the outside and inside, leg yielding in and out, and his transitions. He was just jerky with his head (making the reins bounce).
We talked a bit about how I don't have enough imagination to ride the flat by myself without lessons; I need what we worked on in the last couple lessons to work into my routine. John suggested trying music that gets me motivated.
I also asked for help with the training schedule for this year (which technically hasn't started yet). John said he was working on it tonight, and would think about it, but let me know he was disappointed in me last year, for being a sore loser. I asked him if I showed the signs of being about to quit, and he said he hoped not, but that if I kept up like last year, yes.
He said he can still see progress, but he thinks I can't see it, and he thinks that is what will make me quit, feeling like I'm no longer making progress.
Lesson was trying to re-ingrain what we were doing a couple months ago, getting him round, bent properly, moving off of my legs, but stepping forward and under.
I told him when I sit up, Duke does a down transition; he told me to make sure my hips keep moving, so then we did really big hips at the canter, got him moving really forward, and then used outside rein to rock him back onto his haunches. Duke was pretty good about this, but I had to really concentrate.
Duke was good about stepping forward and under, bending to the outside and inside, leg yielding in and out, and his transitions. He was just jerky with his head (making the reins bounce).
We talked a bit about how I don't have enough imagination to ride the flat by myself without lessons; I need what we worked on in the last couple lessons to work into my routine. John suggested trying music that gets me motivated.
I also asked for help with the training schedule for this year (which technically hasn't started yet). John said he was working on it tonight, and would think about it, but let me know he was disappointed in me last year, for being a sore loser. I asked him if I showed the signs of being about to quit, and he said he hoped not, but that if I kept up like last year, yes.
He said he can still see progress, but he thinks I can't see it, and he thinks that is what will make me quit, feeling like I'm no longer making progress.
Lesson was trying to re-ingrain what we were doing a couple months ago, getting him round, bent properly, moving off of my legs, but stepping forward and under.
I told him when I sit up, Duke does a down transition; he told me to make sure my hips keep moving, so then we did really big hips at the canter, got him moving really forward, and then used outside rein to rock him back onto his haunches. Duke was pretty good about this, but I had to really concentrate.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Back-to-back dressage and jump (!!!!)
After an incredible drought in the lesson world, I finally had lessons a few days ago, dressage on Friday and jumping (yay!) on Saturday. We haven't jumped since EI, although John has jumped Duke since then, so I was a little nervous.
Duke was pretty good for both. For dressage, we went back to working on the same issues as a couple months ago (so we haven't regressed too badly), on a circle, working on outside bend, inside bend, and shifting legs to keep him forward and "straight".
For jumping, we started with some flat work, and then jumped a cross rail (with a bunch of ground poles) to a vertical, to a closer vertical, to an oxer. The big goal here was not to let him drop his head and root on the far side so if I couldn't make him soft before the turn, I had to stop him before the wall. The wall acted like a natural barrier. He dove down a couple of times, but was actually really great for how long it's been since we've jumped.
And John played the Queen song that is the theme of my life: "Under Pressure." Thank god it wasn't "Fat Bottomed Girls."
Duke was pretty good for both. For dressage, we went back to working on the same issues as a couple months ago (so we haven't regressed too badly), on a circle, working on outside bend, inside bend, and shifting legs to keep him forward and "straight".
For jumping, we started with some flat work, and then jumped a cross rail (with a bunch of ground poles) to a vertical, to a closer vertical, to an oxer. The big goal here was not to let him drop his head and root on the far side so if I couldn't make him soft before the turn, I had to stop him before the wall. The wall acted like a natural barrier. He dove down a couple of times, but was actually really great for how long it's been since we've jumped.
And John played the Queen song that is the theme of my life: "Under Pressure." Thank god it wasn't "Fat Bottomed Girls."
Tuesday, November 05, 2019
10 meter to 20 meter circles
We had a quick lesson tonight because fat, out of shape Duke (and ahem, me) got sweaty too quick for how cold it was going to be.
We worked on 10 meter circles, with a good inside bend, then we'd either leg yield out onto the 20 meter circle (the 10 meter at 3 touched the 20 meter at 9) or change direction and keep the outside bend, bend the haunches in, and then bend the neck in.
John said that is a good exercise for helping bend through the body, especially when he's stiff and resistant, because he kind of gets tricked by the change of direction.
After we did the circles with haunches way way in, I could really feel the spring in his back end, and it made the canter (although a bit rushed and unbalanced) feel WAY better than the canter we've had at home.
This is the beginning of our hell month, after last month's hell-of-not-riding month, and so John gets to ride him a bunch and he stays at Caber. This will also hopefully give the rain a chance to start and kind of pack down my new arena sand.
We worked on 10 meter circles, with a good inside bend, then we'd either leg yield out onto the 20 meter circle (the 10 meter at 3 touched the 20 meter at 9) or change direction and keep the outside bend, bend the haunches in, and then bend the neck in.
John said that is a good exercise for helping bend through the body, especially when he's stiff and resistant, because he kind of gets tricked by the change of direction.
After we did the circles with haunches way way in, I could really feel the spring in his back end, and it made the canter (although a bit rushed and unbalanced) feel WAY better than the canter we've had at home.
This is the beginning of our hell month, after last month's hell-of-not-riding month, and so John gets to ride him a bunch and he stays at Caber. This will also hopefully give the rain a chance to start and kind of pack down my new arena sand.
Saturday, November 02, 2019
Dressage lesson - foot still gimpy
Not lame, but Duke's right front foot - maybe because it was a little short and then the shoe got reset twice, feels just a hair off. I can't feel it at home (in the too deep sand that John says yes, can cause soft tissue damage), but I felt it at John's.
October might have been my lightest lesson month ever - just the one dressage lesson. Probably lightest riding month ever too. I told John that he was right - Duke got pissy without the regular work. He said if he runs away again, just give up and leave him out for a while.
He checked my trailer, we talked about work, talked about my bloodwork, Duke's weight, and November schedule.
I rode, then we took a break so Ashley could jump Luca, then finished off the lesson. We both agreed that we were both pleasantly surprised Duke and I weren't worse after the time off. So I guess that's good news.
We worked on getting him a bit rounder - just using my legs to shape the curve, giving a little with the inside rein, once doing a little bit of counterbend.
It was a light lesson as far as instruction (and he took some video but then didn't say anything about it). I needed to use my legs in different places (e.g. one in front of the girth, other in regular spot) to get him round.
In November, John will ride him a fair amount because I have three different weeks where he needs to be at Caber because I have ridiculous all day meetings several days in a row. And I'll squeeze in a few rides around those and a few lessons, but by December we'll hopefully be back to regular work.
October might have been my lightest lesson month ever - just the one dressage lesson. Probably lightest riding month ever too. I told John that he was right - Duke got pissy without the regular work. He said if he runs away again, just give up and leave him out for a while.
He checked my trailer, we talked about work, talked about my bloodwork, Duke's weight, and November schedule.
I rode, then we took a break so Ashley could jump Luca, then finished off the lesson. We both agreed that we were both pleasantly surprised Duke and I weren't worse after the time off. So I guess that's good news.
We worked on getting him a bit rounder - just using my legs to shape the curve, giving a little with the inside rein, once doing a little bit of counterbend.
It was a light lesson as far as instruction (and he took some video but then didn't say anything about it). I needed to use my legs in different places (e.g. one in front of the girth, other in regular spot) to get him round.
In November, John will ride him a fair amount because I have three different weeks where he needs to be at Caber because I have ridiculous all day meetings several days in a row. And I'll squeeze in a few rides around those and a few lessons, but by December we'll hopefully be back to regular work.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Dressage lesson - short feet
John noticed immediately that Duke's toes were just a little bit too short. On hard surfaces, it would have been noticeable. I noticed walking down the little hill, but didn't associate it with the trim he got Wednesday. Even after all those months of measuring.
I asked John to watch me ride first, and I told him how it felt, so he could match up my "feel" with what he saw.
We needed just a little more forward at the trot (while keeping him round). John said ride him deeper at home than I would at a show, since at the show he'll come above the bit a little.
John expect that I either have him round OR forward at the show, but not both at the same time, and that's what we need to work on. He had me ride it to feel it. And he said Duke - especially when he's had a few days off or a few days of light work - will round his neck but not drop his head, instead he crosses his jaw.
For the canter, it was a little more "jump" - so more leg, and then more round (trot can go either way, get him round first or get him forward first). This meant inside leg to outside hand, and inside hipbone down, but to keep my seat in the saddle. John said that my adductors are grabbing me, not giving me enough flexibility to get the whole swing done.
We didn't work long, but Duke got a bit sweaty, and I could definitely feel the difference before the lesson (which felt fine before we rode) and after (which felt even better). So ask for more at home. More. More. More.
I asked John to watch me ride first, and I told him how it felt, so he could match up my "feel" with what he saw.
We needed just a little more forward at the trot (while keeping him round). John said ride him deeper at home than I would at a show, since at the show he'll come above the bit a little.
John expect that I either have him round OR forward at the show, but not both at the same time, and that's what we need to work on. He had me ride it to feel it. And he said Duke - especially when he's had a few days off or a few days of light work - will round his neck but not drop his head, instead he crosses his jaw.
For the canter, it was a little more "jump" - so more leg, and then more round (trot can go either way, get him round first or get him forward first). This meant inside leg to outside hand, and inside hipbone down, but to keep my seat in the saddle. John said that my adductors are grabbing me, not giving me enough flexibility to get the whole swing done.
We didn't work long, but Duke got a bit sweaty, and I could definitely feel the difference before the lesson (which felt fine before we rode) and after (which felt even better). So ask for more at home. More. More. More.
Monday, September 30, 2019
Jump lesson and some graphs
We had a great jump lesson today, mostly because John jumped Duke last week, so he was like riding a Ferrari instead of a beetle bug. I did the same fancy aid as on the flat, lower leg squeeze to balance him back and "half halt" him, instead of pulling back with my hands, and that let me set him back on his haunches so we could take off long, short, or hit it correctly, but any of the three ways felt smooth and powerful.
We started with a little vertical, going long and then coming in shorter, then turned left instead to an oxer (same thing), then we did a three jump combination (two strides to oxer, one tight stride to vertical), then John made it crazy and had us jump the first of the combination over to the oxer, and then the middle oxer of the combination over to the first fence vertical.
Duke was very adjustable and obedient.
Then we talked about skill and talent vs effort and time using graphs. I showed John what I thought my learning style was with Charlie (steps up) vs. Duke (steady upward progress) but that what I was afraid was happening was we were capping out at my skill level (a solid horizontal line) and so John got me there, but I was sine waving up and down over it now.
He said no, there is rider skill level, rider and horse together, horse skill level, and then time and effort. He also did one that was feel and rider. Each one had a slightly different shape.
He said my skill level, especially with feel, was at 0 for a long time, then started to grow once I could feel what he was doing, then shot straight up mid-way through last season at training level, then kept growing but at a slower pace, and then - part way through this season, started going down again.
In contrast, Duke's line is a steady upward climb, and so he said he actually had to dial back how he was riding because Duke's responsiveness to the aids was getting too confusing for me, and we had to go back to the basics and focus on things I hadn't had to think about for over a year, like just riding straight to the fence.
He said that unlike the rest of the time he's been teaching me, as the season went on, I got tired, and wasn't listening, wasn't trying, ran out of emotional and physical effort. (I agree. EI was the final straw on a long slow decline.). He said if I want to compete next year, I have to be more dedicated, more focused, work harder, and have fewer distractions. He said fine, my job can be hard, but that means I work 1000% when John has Duke so that when I go out for my lesson, I can focus entirely on John and be fully present.
He said that my competition line is a vertical up and down line, and that normally he can nudge me there during a lesson, that he can normally push me, but not this year.
It was pretty interesting. And it made me think of the Dunning-Krueger curve.
We started with a little vertical, going long and then coming in shorter, then turned left instead to an oxer (same thing), then we did a three jump combination (two strides to oxer, one tight stride to vertical), then John made it crazy and had us jump the first of the combination over to the oxer, and then the middle oxer of the combination over to the first fence vertical.
Duke was very adjustable and obedient.
Then we talked about skill and talent vs effort and time using graphs. I showed John what I thought my learning style was with Charlie (steps up) vs. Duke (steady upward progress) but that what I was afraid was happening was we were capping out at my skill level (a solid horizontal line) and so John got me there, but I was sine waving up and down over it now.
He said no, there is rider skill level, rider and horse together, horse skill level, and then time and effort. He also did one that was feel and rider. Each one had a slightly different shape.
He said my skill level, especially with feel, was at 0 for a long time, then started to grow once I could feel what he was doing, then shot straight up mid-way through last season at training level, then kept growing but at a slower pace, and then - part way through this season, started going down again.
In contrast, Duke's line is a steady upward climb, and so he said he actually had to dial back how he was riding because Duke's responsiveness to the aids was getting too confusing for me, and we had to go back to the basics and focus on things I hadn't had to think about for over a year, like just riding straight to the fence.
He said that unlike the rest of the time he's been teaching me, as the season went on, I got tired, and wasn't listening, wasn't trying, ran out of emotional and physical effort. (I agree. EI was the final straw on a long slow decline.). He said if I want to compete next year, I have to be more dedicated, more focused, work harder, and have fewer distractions. He said fine, my job can be hard, but that means I work 1000% when John has Duke so that when I go out for my lesson, I can focus entirely on John and be fully present.
He said that my competition line is a vertical up and down line, and that normally he can nudge me there during a lesson, that he can normally push me, but not this year.
It was pretty interesting. And it made me think of the Dunning-Krueger curve.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Dressage lesson - post season tips
Get weight on Duke; increase his Senior to one scoop (currently 1/3 scoop), no more wet cob (currently 1/3 scoop), increase his Strategy to 1/2 scoop (currently 1/3 scoop). Weight onto his back (he's a little ribby) and neck so he can turn it into muscle.
Try a new bit for dressage. His jump bit is too strong for backing (at home), but his happy mouth dressage bit is too soft for shows. Maybe a three jointed happy mouth with a "hanging" (?) snaffle ring?
Blanket him at night already. He's too thin coated and is wasting calories staying warm.
We should have dropped down to Training to build confidence, but the water issue couldn't have been fixed because it doesn't exist at Training.
John says he'll work with me on how to rebalance him so he can take off from a short spot. He says that the second run out I needed to ride him hard and perfectly, because the third one he just figured out he could get away with it.
If I do only dressage for a few months, Duke will be depressed. He needs jumping to break up the monotony of dressage.
I'm probably riding less (and John is definitely riding him less) because of the rain and light.
John jumped him hard, so he'd be stiff, so I could ride him out of the stiffness in the lesson.
He rode great, because John's been riding him the last few days. It was pushing his shoulders in towards John, or haunches, and then using legs at different strengths, sometimes holding, sometimes on-off, and sometimes counterbent and sometimes not. He felt great, but it isn't something I expect I can repeat on my own.
Try a new bit for dressage. His jump bit is too strong for backing (at home), but his happy mouth dressage bit is too soft for shows. Maybe a three jointed happy mouth with a "hanging" (?) snaffle ring?
Blanket him at night already. He's too thin coated and is wasting calories staying warm.
We should have dropped down to Training to build confidence, but the water issue couldn't have been fixed because it doesn't exist at Training.
John says he'll work with me on how to rebalance him so he can take off from a short spot. He says that the second run out I needed to ride him hard and perfectly, because the third one he just figured out he could get away with it.
If I do only dressage for a few months, Duke will be depressed. He needs jumping to break up the monotony of dressage.
I'm probably riding less (and John is definitely riding him less) because of the rain and light.
John jumped him hard, so he'd be stiff, so I could ride him out of the stiffness in the lesson.
He rode great, because John's been riding him the last few days. It was pushing his shoulders in towards John, or haunches, and then using legs at different strengths, sometimes holding, sometimes on-off, and sometimes counterbent and sometimes not. He felt great, but it isn't something I expect I can repeat on my own.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Ugh. Lousy end to season.
Our first go at prelim was not what I hoped it would be. At EI, we had our best dressage ride yet, but our worst placing (last place, 17th). Upside? Gap from 1st - 17th was only 10 points. But still. Last place? He was nervous, but obedient, and had some great movements. He had three terrible scores (not proportional to the movement) and then some really good ones, like a point better than normal.
Then cross country - we finally made it through the water. Twice.
And then failed, utterly, at a chevron that we had no problem with in the spring. He ran out to the left three times.
So I scratched from Spokane. I don't know what's going wrong and we need to have a come to Jesus talk with John. I made up a plan for training through next year, and we'll see how John modifies it. We'll try to work really hard over the winter to improve his topline to improve his engagement and bascule, improve dressage, and improve obedience (??) for the precision to the fences.
Then we'll do extra schooling in the spring, combined with half time at John's, because I learned a LOT riding the day after John did.
Then try for prelim again. And if we fail again next year - as in are not finishing in the top 10, then I'll decide whether he needs a better rider for an owner. (Sigh)
I don't know if this is just part of prelim - in our classes, a lot of people frequently don't finish, if it's me, if it's him, if it's the fact that it's both of our first season at prelim? ...
May 2019 - Spokane - Modified
41.1 dressage, 1.6 time xc, 2 rails show jumping - 50.7 - 6th place, but for amateur, 3rd
12 riders, 11 completed
May 2019 - EI - Prelim
41.3 dressage, 1 refusal xc (water), 10.8 time penalties, 2 rails show jumping - 80.1 - 11th place, 9th (A)
21 riders, 15 completed
June 2019 - Aspen - Prelim
38.3 dressage, 3 refusals (chevron, water, crossed path in water), 2 rails show jumping - eliminated
21 riders, 17 completed
June 2019 - Inavale - Prelim
39.8 dressage, schooled water, 12.4 time xc, 1 rail & 0.4 time show jumping - 56.6 - 7th place, 3rd place (A)
17 riders, 14 completed
July 2019 - Rebecca - Prelim
37.9 dressage, 2 refusals xc (both water) & 13.6 time, *7* rails show jumping - 119.5 - 21st place, 13th (A)
24 riders, 21 completed
August 2019 - Caber - Prelim
40.2 dressage (my error, forgot movement), 1 refusal xc (B element of water) & 4 time, 2 rails show jumping - 72.2 - 17th place, 11th (A)
24 riders, 20 completed
September 2019 - Aspen - Prelim
42.6 dressage (I thought it was a good test), 2 refusals xc (both water) & 15 time, 1 rail show jumping - 100.6 - 17th place, 8th (A)
26 riders, 18 completed
September 2019 - EI - Prelim
37.7 dressage, 3 refusals xc (all same fence, chevron B) - eliminated
17 riders, 12 completed
Then cross country - we finally made it through the water. Twice.
And then failed, utterly, at a chevron that we had no problem with in the spring. He ran out to the left three times.
So I scratched from Spokane. I don't know what's going wrong and we need to have a come to Jesus talk with John. I made up a plan for training through next year, and we'll see how John modifies it. We'll try to work really hard over the winter to improve his topline to improve his engagement and bascule, improve dressage, and improve obedience (??) for the precision to the fences.
Then we'll do extra schooling in the spring, combined with half time at John's, because I learned a LOT riding the day after John did.
Then try for prelim again. And if we fail again next year - as in are not finishing in the top 10, then I'll decide whether he needs a better rider for an owner. (Sigh)
I don't know if this is just part of prelim - in our classes, a lot of people frequently don't finish, if it's me, if it's him, if it's the fact that it's both of our first season at prelim? ...
May 2019 - Spokane - Modified
41.1 dressage, 1.6 time xc, 2 rails show jumping - 50.7 - 6th place, but for amateur, 3rd
12 riders, 11 completed
May 2019 - EI - Prelim
41.3 dressage, 1 refusal xc (water), 10.8 time penalties, 2 rails show jumping - 80.1 - 11th place, 9th (A)
21 riders, 15 completed
June 2019 - Aspen - Prelim
38.3 dressage, 3 refusals (chevron, water, crossed path in water), 2 rails show jumping - eliminated
21 riders, 17 completed
June 2019 - Inavale - Prelim
39.8 dressage, schooled water, 12.4 time xc, 1 rail & 0.4 time show jumping - 56.6 - 7th place, 3rd place (A)
17 riders, 14 completed
July 2019 - Rebecca - Prelim
37.9 dressage, 2 refusals xc (both water) & 13.6 time, *7* rails show jumping - 119.5 - 21st place, 13th (A)
24 riders, 21 completed
August 2019 - Caber - Prelim
40.2 dressage (my error, forgot movement), 1 refusal xc (B element of water) & 4 time, 2 rails show jumping - 72.2 - 17th place, 11th (A)
24 riders, 20 completed
September 2019 - Aspen - Prelim
42.6 dressage (I thought it was a good test), 2 refusals xc (both water) & 15 time, 1 rail show jumping - 100.6 - 17th place, 8th (A)
26 riders, 18 completed
September 2019 - EI - Prelim
37.7 dressage, 3 refusals xc (all same fence, chevron B) - eliminated
17 riders, 12 completed
Monday, September 16, 2019
Schooled the water again; also, tack cleaning tips
We warmed up over a few fences inside (it's been pouring rain - early, but spring was early too), then went out to the water jump. John had us start by jumping over the roll top a couple times, then he had us come into the water "sideways" over a vertical. Duke hesitated, but jumped in, and John told me to use my hips to finish the fence. We did that a couple more times, then rode the gray/blue brush to the drop. Duke went right on in. We did it a couple more times, and John told me that he thinks I've used up my leg and I just need that little push to finish, so to look up, close my leg, and then use my hip to push him forward.
Since he freaks out about the whip. He had a melt down yesterday when I whipped him, but John said it was just too much after he cut his face in his stall and got whipped the hardest ever by me on Saturday. He said that he expects that Duke was pretty strong over fences on the far side when he started, and that someone halted him and backed him to train him not to run off on the far side. And that because Duke is sensitive, and wants to please, when he got whipped after that, it just blew his mind. So he thinks that's why Duke has problems both with the whip and with the rein back.
I did a couple in warm up, and John had us do one (without hands - omfg impossible), and Duke was ok about it. Not brilliant, but not having a melt down.
I think I'm still going to school the water at EI. Once he's been in once, Duke doesn't hesitate, but I think it's the reflection and not seeing how deep it is that is part of his worry too. And he just needs to be with me long enough to know I'm not going to make him jump into water over his head - whatever it is a horse worries about for the depth of water.
Then John had to clean my tack because I was so slow clipping and cleaning Duke, and he said to just use a damp sponge to get the dirt off, instead of rubbing it into the leather with tack cleaner. He showed me how gross my bridle was with one run of the sponge (yech) and Katy said my tack is always kind of sticky.
Good lesson. But now I have to get up in 7 hours (?) to ride again because of stupid work schedule before this show.
Since he freaks out about the whip. He had a melt down yesterday when I whipped him, but John said it was just too much after he cut his face in his stall and got whipped the hardest ever by me on Saturday. He said that he expects that Duke was pretty strong over fences on the far side when he started, and that someone halted him and backed him to train him not to run off on the far side. And that because Duke is sensitive, and wants to please, when he got whipped after that, it just blew his mind. So he thinks that's why Duke has problems both with the whip and with the rein back.
I did a couple in warm up, and John had us do one (without hands - omfg impossible), and Duke was ok about it. Not brilliant, but not having a melt down.
I think I'm still going to school the water at EI. Once he's been in once, Duke doesn't hesitate, but I think it's the reflection and not seeing how deep it is that is part of his worry too. And he just needs to be with me long enough to know I'm not going to make him jump into water over his head - whatever it is a horse worries about for the depth of water.
Then John had to clean my tack because I was so slow clipping and cleaning Duke, and he said to just use a damp sponge to get the dirt off, instead of rubbing it into the leather with tack cleaner. He showed me how gross my bridle was with one run of the sponge (yech) and Katy said my tack is always kind of sticky.
Good lesson. But now I have to get up in 7 hours (?) to ride again because of stupid work schedule before this show.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Jump lesson, schooling water
We started in the show jump arena with a cross rail, vertical, taller vertical, and a little oxer. John had me work on getting him forward, balancing, and then having him continue forward to the jump. Even if our distance was a little off, if we were in the balanced, forward canter, we could take off from almost anywhere and it felt balanced, even if it wasn't the perfect spot.
The trick here was that when I half halt, to balance him, I MUST put leg back on afterwards, and not let him putter down.
Then we went out and rode the water. Well, first John had us jump a roll top (a couple times), then the brushy vertical to the water, which Duke just stopped at. I looked down, tilted forward, it was a classic bad ride.
John had me hit him. Duke's mind was blown. I thought he was going to have a melt down, he stood with his neck rigid and his heart thumping, but when I asked him to go forward, he pulled his shit together. He was heavy and downhill, but he went into the water. Over and over again. John put up guiding poles, on the fence and on the edge of the water, to keep him in the water, instead of trying to jump out sideways to avoid landing in it.
John said I need more leg - to close my leg when I feel him hesitate and to look up. So it's the same as the show jump ride, I need to send him forward, balance him, send him forward again, then ride him confidently (assertively) to the fence, leg on, looking up not down, ready to hit him, and RIDE HIM (teeth gritted when I type that) into the water.
He said we'll ride dressage Monday night and then jump him into the water again (deeper) afterwards.
The trick here was that when I half halt, to balance him, I MUST put leg back on afterwards, and not let him putter down.
Then we went out and rode the water. Well, first John had us jump a roll top (a couple times), then the brushy vertical to the water, which Duke just stopped at. I looked down, tilted forward, it was a classic bad ride.
John had me hit him. Duke's mind was blown. I thought he was going to have a melt down, he stood with his neck rigid and his heart thumping, but when I asked him to go forward, he pulled his shit together. He was heavy and downhill, but he went into the water. Over and over again. John put up guiding poles, on the fence and on the edge of the water, to keep him in the water, instead of trying to jump out sideways to avoid landing in it.
John said I need more leg - to close my leg when I feel him hesitate and to look up. So it's the same as the show jump ride, I need to send him forward, balance him, send him forward again, then ride him confidently (assertively) to the fence, leg on, looking up not down, ready to hit him, and RIDE HIM (teeth gritted when I type that) into the water.
He said we'll ride dressage Monday night and then jump him into the water again (deeper) afterwards.
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