dancing horses

dancing horses

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Well That's Better


Tuesday was too freaking hot and humid to ride. I decided instead to paint some more poles and try to not drip sweat all over them. 

shortly after this photo it rained. Of course it did- paint AND laundry?
I pretty much cursed myself. 
Wedsnesday was much cooler and a better day to ride. Cynthia joined me after supper. I walked Carmen up to the ring and mounted. Immediately I began to walk her all over the ring. She was a completely different horse this day. Soft and listening rather than stiff and pissy. We worked on changes in bend and transitions. Her leg yields were soft and flowed nicely. She looked at a few things but nother major. I was giving her a walk break walking beside Cynthia and I said "Look at this mare- completely relaxed and happy. This is NOT the mare I rode on monday"

Right then she gave a littel 'eek!' and scooted a few feet sideways. I laughed 'there she is!' And I then put her back on the rail and back to work. (Carmen: it's no fun if you're laughing at me'). 

I began to ask her to half-halt and bring her hind legs under rather then string out. I worked on getting her trot and walk shorter and longer. Not by a lot but she responded off my seat. I then asked her to canter and once we had that going nicely I asked her to shorten it and then let it out. I could feel her figuring out how to shift her weight back rather then string out in the canter stride. And shd didn't break. I asked her to counter canter a shallow loop- no problem. Down the short side I asked her to shorten and then let her out down the long side. I could feel her legnthen (just a wee bit but sitll!) and I gave her a tone of praise. We even practiced a canter sepertine and it didn't suck. 

I was so happy with her and I'm thinking she felt the same. Cynthia dropped the gate and we rode over the bridge and down to the barn. I wanted to hack out but the blackflies became really bad so it seemd better to end at the barn and go have a glass of wine (priorities you know). 

It seems to me that that ride I had on Monday, although hard, was an important lesson for both of us. I need to keep my expectations of Carmen even when she's not sure she wants to play the game. 



Carmen: You know if didn't have so many dogs you'd be able to be faster with my night snack instead of checking on those puppies so much
Me: You're right. If I didn't have the puppy I could probably ride you EVERY DAY. 
Carmen: Neiver mind. 

What do you mean 'not have me'? I htought you loved me!
Of course I do- you are the best of puppies. 

21 comments:

  1. Funny, how our horses can be so different from day to day, but the important thing is, you're staying the same every day. Congratulations on that. I love what you're doing with the poles. Sorry it rained after all your hard work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do believe that me staying the same will result in Carmen getting less like a pendulum and more steady.

      Delete
  2. Wait... that is NOT the same puppy! It can't be. He's HUGE!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! He still wants to crawl in my lap though. :D

      Delete
  3. I love Carmen's Never mind comment. And aren't puppy ears just too adorable?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She says that a lot! And I love his ears!

      Delete
  4. Ha I love your dialog with your animals!
    And sometimes those hard days make it worthwhile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks! I always feel better when there's a good ride after a bad one. it makes me believe I responded correctly the last time.

      Delete
  5. The fact that trying those first level movements was so easy shows that you must have done a great job on the basics with Carmen, that's exciting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are coming. No where near show ready but that's okay.

      Delete
  6. Sounds good to me - esp that part about finishing with a glass of wine!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the best way to end a ride- unless it's a really hot day then a cold beer is great.

      Delete
  7. Puppies are a lot of work, but they are so cute. Are you going to leave the poles white? I bet stripes would be scarier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are - especially two. But Ripley goes home soon. The white is the base. I'm going to paint them with yellow stripes so I'll have 3 blue/white and 3 yellow/white. And it's those colours because that's the left over paint that I have.

      Delete
  8. when did the puppy get so big?!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Um, hi there DOG Guinness and not puppy Guinness.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I love the feedback.