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| look who's sitting up and not grabbing with her hands?! |
Well, she does, but just not in a way that I would consider 'productive'. Instead, it translates into extra spookiness and #feelings. It's been good for me to practice staying on top of things and riding proactively.
Yesterday that led to long session then I had planned but that is okay. I was hopeful that today she would be a bit quieter. And she was, at least in the pre-ride lunge and groundwork. And she was when I was riding.
The key I'm finding is to not let her get strung out or balled up. It can feel like riding a tight rope.
Actual quote from my lesson:
Shanea: and now canter
Me: you know you're not in the will right?
But when she's underneath of me and feeling forward it feels really good.
It also feels like it comes and goes a lot. And Carmen had some feelings about some areas of the ring (different then the last time we rode. le sigh). So we would be flowing and then it was like someone choked the hose.
It's useful to me to feel that and help her deal with it rather then be a passive passenger and hope that she doesn't dump me or run away. I can feel that she has some thoughts about me insisting she stay with me. But once we work through it, she falls into place.
I also need to take ownership of my own emotions. Not about getting frustrated, but my self-confidence. I have this habit that when things are good of stopping because I want to finish before it goes bad again. I've been trying to not do that.
Instead I work her to a good place and then work on some specific things.
I hope that this doesn't sound like we're stalled- because we're not. It's more about filling in a few holes and working on her submission.
I was happy with our lesson and how I rode. Not that I was perfect, because I wasn't. But we are work in progress.
And to finish here's a really cute video. I didn't even realize that Guinness was doing this until I looked at the clips from my lesson. He seems to have assigned himself as our companion (also look at his extended trot). Notice that Carmen doesn't care at all. He can pop in and out of anywhere around the ring and she is fine with it.
I do the same thing. I ride and things are going well so I quit while I’m ahead but then that makes for very short rides. I’ve been pushing myself past that point lately and it’s been going better.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to push sometimes!
DeleteGuinness is the one with a beautiful stride!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough one on when to stop a ride. I tend to go too far and ask for a little too much. I've been working on getting something really good and then just hopping off some of the time. I also use a long loose rein dwell as a reward. Both work really well to motivate Jet. You do have to have them working long enough to get the good harder work though, so it is a balance...
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It is a balance. I have been trying idea of a loose rein stand for a reward.
DeleteGuinness is so cute, I can't get over him. It looks like you guys are making great progress, her trot is starting to swing so nicely!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Her trot is coming. It’s all about getting rid of the tension
DeleteWow that video with Guinness, you'll save that forever. He's not harrassing your horse like other herding breeds do, he's just there with you, for fun and loyalty. (In contrast with obsession.)
ReplyDeleteYes, he has decided that that is his spot. He’s started to watch my rides very carefully, like he’s evaluating us!
DeleteStopping while you're ahead isn't always a bad idea--if nothing else, it keeps the rider's confidence up. Sometimes, we need that happy ending as much as our horses. But on the other hand....it's not always easy to know where that line is. I was working with Tweed over obstacles at a little clinic Saturday, and it was the same kind of thing, but on the ground. Do I stop at the point where he was willing to put two feet on the bridge? Do I ask for more? I asked for more, things went temporarily south (probably because I'd usually take that effort as a win), my trainer stepped up and showed me a few tips, Tweed eventually walked over the entire bridge. Soooo....looks like he needed more time, and I needed to not quit so early. But when you're in the midst of it...tough, tough call.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tough call. I’ve making myself answer the question as to whether I’m quitting because I’m afraid of it falling apart or because I’m really sure that it’s a good spot.
DeleteLove Guinness in the video! You and Carmen make a good team.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We are becoming a team of three!
DeleteOh, Im such a sucker for finishing too soon. Especially if there is a nice trail ride in the offer. But it also means my horse isn't ring sour. Did you know the stallions of the Spanish Riding School rarely work more than 30 minutes a day?
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of 30 minutes of work. When things are good that is usually what we do. But if I spend 40 minutes getting her to listen and not run/bolt/balk then I need to then keep working, not stop right then.
DeleteI definitely know that feeling of quitting before it goes south. But just like with physical fitness, you have to push a little past what's comfortable to gain more. Sounds like you're getting a good handle on that. Love the clip with your pup following along!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying! Guinness is becoming a good horse dog.
DeleteI've also started pushing my horse past my comfort zone. Most days I have so little free time that I have to stop as soon as we reach a "good stopping place". It's nice to push a little further when I have the time.
ReplyDeleteawww Guinness haha <3 also i love the idea of being accountable for our own self confidence in the saddle and putting it to work...
ReplyDelete