You Mean Like Every Stride? Carmen Lesson Recap

 I had a lesson on Carmen last Sunday. I was pretty sure it wasn't going to happen but then the weather warmed enough to thaw the ring and we could have it. Which makes a grand total of 3 rides this month. 

Cordelia appreciates all weather.  Here she is playing with a
frozen chunk of horse poo

I'm not bitter, you're bitter. 

Anyway, it was Carmen's turn and she was overjoyed. Which she showed by being stiff and spooky at the start. We were walking down the long side and she suddenly gave a huge spook and spun away. I could feel her thinking that she was going to build up a head of steam. I turned her into a small circle and said 'not today sweetheart'.   

Jane has been honing in on our getting her rhythmic and pushing from her hind end. Carmen is really good at plowing on her front end. I swear that each leg moves at a different rhythm. Which makes me want to hold her. While the holding is good for keeping a lid on things, it really doesn't help with the whole dressage thing.  

Jane had me riding her pushing her hind end in and then out. While half-halting and not holding. 

you put the haunches  in

and you put the haunches out

This helped to get her supple and listening without the big battle.  It works too. One thing that has really consolidated this year is being able to actually work on things without having to spend the majority of the lesson working through things. 

dramatic mare under dramatic sky

Jane focussed us on half-halts that move the weight back. It turns out that I need to half-halt with my seat and legs and then a little hand. I tend to use mostly hand and take my legs off. Which, of course, dumps her on the front. 

But when I got it, I could really feel her shift back and get soft. The trick is to do it every few strides. It was (at least if I'm understanding it correctly) half-halt, soften, half-halt, soften. At no point was I to take my legs off and get grabby.  It required me to pay attention to every stride and feel where she was and adapt my aids to keep her with me. Too strong and it shortens everything (and not in a collected way). Too soft and she can string out and lose her rhythm. 

holding her just shortens her neck

better

Everything got better and better. It was nice to feel that Carmen could be 'hot' and still be working with me. 

I love this

In the end both Carmen and I were tired. But in a good way, not in a phew that was a battle way.  I still find her fun to ride. Even when she's complicated. And given that she's 15, I suspect she'll always be complicated, lol. 

How's your December going?