I watched some lessons and then took her out to crop some grass before tacking her up. I was careful with our ground work and then mounted. I was trying to put into practice the 4 things I worked on the day before. I was happy because I was finally beginning to feel effective with my seat and I felt that I could finally feel her hind leg movement with my seat. I was frustrated because I could only keep 3 things in my head at one time so I needed reminders with one of them. But I found that Johanna was very patient and had no expectations that I would be anywhere near perfect after one lesson.
I find that I could control her gait and bring her back from rushing- I was struggling with preventing her from rushing. I understood that this is all part of the learning process and I was trying my best to ride with her. Carmen started getting fussy in her mouth and Johanna asked me about it. I explained that she did this when she was tense.
Johanna called me to her and showed me that Carmen was telling me that my shoulders were too tense. I couldn't feel it at all and she spent some time helping me to feel that I wasn't truly moving with Carmen's motion.
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| I love this photo- it shows the team work that was happening |
Great I thought, now there's more to remember.
But I kept at it and slowly it seemed to make more sense. The truth is that I jokingly referred to Johanna as our marriage counsellor- she always seems to help us communicate. This time I was able to get her to trot with just the thinking (like I had tried the day before). Because she was in heat she was a bit sticky about going forward. But because I was able to be more effective with my seat I could ride it out and not have it escalate. I might have been frustrated with myself but I recognized that I was doing the best sitting trot on her that I have ever done. It was really cool to be able to feel like I was riding the hind end.
I was starting to realize how truly sensitive this mare is.
Carmen sure has grown into a real beauty. You two make such a lovely pair.
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteThe two places I learned that I carry tension are my shoulders and my forearms. Loose shoulders and heavy elbows are my mantra -- tension in those places goes straight to Lucy. But, don't you just love being able to ride Carme from thought and feel? So awesome.
ReplyDeleteyes the feel part was great. The tension we carry maybe comes from the work - I'm on a computer almost all day
DeleteI love horses very much but unfortunately living in a big city like Montreal I don't get to see them very often. Thank you so much for sharing your posts and photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! She looks amazing in that photo.
ReplyDeleteTense shoulders makes Harley tense up too. I remember not being aware of it myself without help.
it just starts to feel normal and we are not aware
DeleteYou two look lovely! Why is it so darn hard to remember all the things we need to do at the same time? And of course we need a 'marriage counselor' to tell us what we are unconsciously doing! Good on you for riding a sensitive horse - she will make you a better rider for sure!
ReplyDeleteit's like juggling. I know it will get easier as things become habit.
DeleteSounds like a good clinician! Isn't it funny (aka annoying) that it is almost always us causing a horse's reaction. :) Carmen is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you. And yes, it's very annoying
DeleteI like the marriage counselor concept. So true. When couples fall apart on reality TV, it is obvious to everyone watching why the marriage doesn't work. For instance, he's too self-centered and she won't quit nagging... Works with a trainer watching a horse and rider too.
ReplyDeleteit really does feel more like counselling :)
DeleteI struggle with my shoulders too. Sounds like a really great ride and an excellent clinician!
ReplyDeleteshe really is
DeleteShe sounds like a great teacher. There is always so much to remember, I'm lucky if I can come away from a clinic with a couple things to work on
ReplyDeletethat's one good thing about the blog. I can write it down to remember
DeleteCarmen is gorgeous. A rare beauty. I know the feeling of thinking about so many things at once. Love the idea of it being like marriage counseling. How true that is.
ReplyDeletethank you
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