Has Talent, Needs Direction: Quaid's Clinic Recap

 I also had Quaid signed up for the 3 day clinic. I was really looking forward to working with him and moving forward. 

I rode him first on Friday because the weather was supposed to get hotter as the day went on and he's not a fan of the heat. It was a really good lesson. Jane had us riding forward to contact and staying upright and balanced. My tendency is to curl forward. I've had that flaw forever. As soon as I feel the least bit of unbalance I want to drop my shoulders forward and curl. But it's getting better. 

upright(ish)

 Jane had us canter pretty early in the ride and it was a bit zoomy but not too bad. 

Quaid: I go fast! Eat my dust! 

In the past I would be grabby and unbalanced. While I was not perfect by any stretch of any imagination, I wasn't in imminent danger of falling off.  And it got a lot better. 

better trot

I'm still leaning but at least my seat is following. 

At about 30 minutes into the ride he began to spook at the far corner. 

Quaid: na- uh

Quaid: also nope

Jane had me sit up and quietly ride him through. The first couple minutes he actually backed up. the aim was to sit up, put my leg on (quietly but firmly) and encourage him forward without giving away or grabbing contact.  After a bit we worked through it and had some lovely work at the end. 

Overall I was really pleased with him and our lesson. 

On Saturday I rode him in the afternoon. He was restless going down to the ring but stood fine outside. When I brought him we walked around the rail for a bit and then I started to the mounting block. When I went to line him up for mounting he nipped me! I was pissed. Biting is a non-negotiable for me. I gave him a couple good whacks with my crop immediately and then stood there getting my breathing and adrenaline back. It was the first time he's ever down that. Given that he's a gelding and young I had been expecting it earlier in the year. But when I never happened I stopped worrying about it. 

Anyway, I got on and he stood just fine at the block. We walked off and he was obviously tense but listening. Jane was immediately on me to sit with my butt in the saddle and a following hand. 

Things were going well and then Jane asked us to trot. The hamster came off the wheel pretty quickly. We'd get a bit of nice trot and then he'd throw his body around or refuse to go away from the in gate. And I really do think it's an in gate problem. Even though I never ever rest by the gate or get off there. Like ever.  

I was struggling with leaning forward. Although, when I look at the video I can see how much better I am. Even 4 months ago, with how tight and fling-y he was being with his legs I'd have been up on his ears. 

Quaid: no! 

Quaid: I want to talk to my union steward

When I look at the video I can see how well he steps under with his hind and his reach with his front is amazing. He also piaffed a little. I was really struggling on how to ride this. I even said to Jane "I think I'm ruining my horse".  She said "look at me. YOU ARE NOT RUINING YOUR HORSE." 

In the end she settled us into an exercise of small circles, keeping his body bent and his legs on the same track as the circle. She called it 'making his toes follow his nose'.  He would bend but still travel in a straight line. But when I added the outside rein and leg he would turn nicely. This work settled us both really nicely. It gave us a safe exercise to work from. A few times he'd plant his front leg and pivot around it (like how horse?). But was a good exercise. I even trottted him on it, although every time we'd move away from the gate he'd break and throw his shoulders a bit. 

Here's a semi- short video if you're interested: 

I have to say she was so supportive through the whole thing. Giving me directions, praise when I did it correctly, encouragement when I looked overwhelmed. I don't think I could have ridden through it all without her. I was disappointed because it seemed like every time I take him somewhere he was worse instead of better. I realised I needed more help and I asked Jane if she would ride him on Sunday. She thought about it and agreed. 

I have zero issue with swallowing my ego and letting someone with more skill help me through a patch. I think as horse people we need to know when we've reached the end of our knowledge and skill and seek others. 

Anyway, Jane rode Quaid on Sunday and it was eye-opening. I'm not going to share photos or videos because it's one thing for me to post myself but it's not fair to expose someone else to the internet trolls. But here is what I saw and what Jane explained to me: 

• he needs a following hand all the time. Keeping the rein shorter and shoulders relaxed allowed her to keep a steady feel when he was in front, on and behind the vertical. In other words he could yank the reins out of her hand or duck behind contact. It was just there, talking to him all the time. 
• Her seat stayed steady and her legs on while she rode. But not tight. She encouraged him forward. When he gets chaotic I cannot let myself join that. Instead she was the calm centre that he could return to. 
• She knew what level of forward she wanted and she asked for it. She didn't let him decide how fast or forward he'd go. 
• When he fell all apart she would bring him back and put him right back up. Jane said that she's thinking he's learned this as a way to make the work back off. And I think she's right, when he would get upset I'd stop and let him relax. Which was fine but not if he does it in order to stop (this makes sense in my head). 
• She kept her aids simple and clear. There was no fuzziness. We walk or we trot or we halt. She even did a walk pirouette and he was just like 'okay'. 

Watching him I was struck by how adult and handsome he's become. There's been a huge change in his body, especially his neck.  He's also a lovely mover. I mean, like, I knew that but then I saw it and went 'oooh'.  Tanya tells me that I can't call him a baby genius anymore. Because he's not a baby. How about evil genius? I quipped. 

Jane told me that, because he's been so good at home, I haven't been testing him enough so he can learn to deal with distractions and new places. He's fine because he feels fine. He doesn't know how to be fine even when he's not feeling it. Carmen was a lot more obvious so I made the mistake of thinking he's just fine all the time. And she shared all this without making me feel stupid or incompetent. Which is a talent.

I definitely learned a lot last weekend. About myself and my horses. And I came away armed with a training plan. And I do love a good plan. 

The Great Rebranding of 2025: Carmen the Magnificent Clinic Recap

 Remember in my last post when I said I signed up for a 3 day clinic? Well it happened last weekend. 

Spoiler alert- it was awesome. Now usually I can only afford to do two days of these clinics. But this year I had a number of lessons cancellations (for various reasons) so I had a lot more of my lesson budget left then I typically do by this time of year. So I decided to sign both horses for all three days and embrace the philosophy that I could rest when I'm dead. 

Friday we all had lesson at our own place and then the other two days were at Baker's Brook Stables with a potluck lunch on Saturday. Tanya decided to come to my place for her lesson which made it fun and easier for Jane. Paula came to watch too. So we had 3 horses, 3 dogs, 4 people and while it could have been chaos, it was not. I have so much to share so decided to divide it so that each horse gets their own post. 

Carmen went last on Friday, something she did not appreciate it. Normally I take Quaid out and she's perfectly fine. But with the addition of Suzi being here and spectators (well one but hey I'm not going to quibble with Carmen), she was not impressed to be left in the field. All that means is that when it was her turn she had a lot of feelings.  Mostly of the 'hang on and let me do my thing' variety. Honestly, it was funny (don't tell her that please). 

It was a stinking hot day. I had a bucket of water and a sponge up in the ring and Jane would sponge off the horses about every 20 minutes. 

I don't have video of this lesson but it was all about keeping my body steady, keeping my seat in the saddle, and riding her forward to contact. I was really starting to feel how this helps Carmen to steady and become more through. I also realised how quickly I pop my butt out of the saddle as soon as my attention shifts. Not like bouncing but just enough tension in my thighs and groin so that my seat bones are not where they should be. But overall it felt like I made huge gains. At one point Jane had us canter, turn down the centre and then asked me to half-pass. My brain fizzled and I fell all apart. So we did it again. The third time she said, look to where you want to go and bam, there it was. So, yeah, you should use your eyes when you ride.....

Honestly, it was the best ride we had all year (Morgan Freeman voice it turned out to not be her best ride all year). 

Krista converted an old garage into a cantina and
it was a fabulous place for lunch

My plan was to trailer back and forth both days to the clinic. Which meant an early start on Saturday. And by early I mean leave by 8. I know, I know but I'm retired so it feels early. Both horses trailered really well. I decided to ride Carmen in my first lesson spot. And she came out as chill and ready to work as I've seen her. Also, there were more spectators so maybe that's her thing- performing?  

Again the focus was on correct positioning and effective aids to help the horse do the movements. We did a lot of shoulder in. I have a really bad habit of letting her move her haunches to the outside rather than bend around my left for the SI. And Jane was having none of it. We practiced them down the centre and quarter lines so I couldn't cheat. The nice thing is that there were mirrors so I could see what we were doing. 

you can see her focus here

Carmen was really good about all of it. She got a little strong at times but really she was right with me and trying so hard.  And she really appreciated me having a softer and following seat and a stable core. It was a windy day and the canvas was flapping. After a little spook she settled in and went to work and ignored it.  Jane had us do some turn on the haunches and half pass out of the shoulder in. Honestly it was our best work. 

look at us! 

And here's our turn on the haunches: no stepping wide or fighting. 

Honestly, it was our best lesson this year (spoiler alert: it was not our best lesson).  We trailered home and I fed them supper, turning them out for a couple hours after. 

I was excited for our Sunday lesson. I mean I was already really proud of her (and me) and I was a little worried she might be tight after 2 intense lessons. But she wasn't. I think taking her home and turning her out for a bit really helped.  

Our lesson was at 10 which gave me lots of time to get there and get ready.  When I came into the ring there was a large physio ball that Jane was going to use for a demo. But in the meantime it was a fun thing to play with. Carmen, as I expected, gave zero cares about it. We haven't worked with balls but we've done enough other stuff that she simply sighs and humours her servant. 

I overheard my friend Tanya saying something along the lines of 'Carmen has been rebranded'. And she was right. It's not like she's not spicy or opinionated. But she's fun. And works hard. And I have trust in her that I didn't have even last year. 

Using the ball Jane demoed how tension in thighs or groin an arched back pops us out of balance and can make the horse fall on their forehand and/or hollow their back.  It was interesting to the third lesson. Because I had already felt improvement in my ability to sit in the saddle. But Sunday unlocked it even more.  Like Jane noticed right away as soon as I tightened in my groin. I joked that she knew it better than Ed!  

You may think that a third lesson on telling me to keep my elbows still and my core strong while my pelvis relaxed while not popping out of the saddle or collapsing would be tedious. It was not. I was soaking it up as much as I could. This lesson had a lot more canter in it. Our canter transitions are so much better. And I actually could feel how to use my seat to get her to move out or collect. It was so cool. And really hard. 

About 2/3rds into the ride I could feel her body completely soften. It's a cool feeling and also dangerous because the slightest aid works and I need to be super soft. Where I might have needed a pound of pressure earlier, now I only needed an ounce. It's a huge responsibility to take that softening and ride it gently. Here's a video of some of the work. 

After some counter canter work I could feel her just 'floof'. You know, like how you feel after a really good workout. She had given me everything and was done. We did a little bit to cool her down and then called it. I could not have been more proud of her. 

this is my mare who's standoffish and doesn't like people

Now this was our best ride to date. 

I can't wait to do it all again. 

a-One & a-Two & a-Three & a-Four

 Bonus points if you know the reference for this blog title!

Today I had a lesson and it was Carmen's turn. I was really excited for it because Carmen has been such a solid horse to ride since the show. We go into the ring and do our work and it just feels so good. It's not like she's become a magical unicorn... 

Carmen: ahem! I've always been a magical unicorn. You just failed to notice. 

Yes, yes, but as I was saying, she's become so rideable. We've even gone on a few solo hacks.  It's been so hot that the woods are relief, even with all the horseflies. 

Carmen: this is fine, more of this please

So I was excited to get Jane's input. I even texted Tanya a few days before: 

 When Jane arrived this morning I was pretty much gushing about Carmen. About how good she's been and how our counter canter work is getting really better. Jane said that I was not cursing myself and even if something arose in your lesson that's okay. It doesn't take away from the joy you're having. 

Spoiler alert: I did not curse us. 

We had already been warming up so Jane got us to work. As always, I need more on the outside rein and stop being so passive with my leg.  She kept saying Ask for the walk you want, not the one she gives you.  Left to her own devices Carmen will change her walk rhythm all over the place. Which is not good for her balance. In the past I would go with it. Now I'm to tell her what I want and keep asking.  When the walk rhythm was good we did some turn on the haunches, first a quarter turn and then a half turn. My problem is that I simply cannot feel that she steps wide behind. I'm too used to it. Jane had me walk a haunches in and then do the turn. Which is not correct but a correction, if that makes sense. 

Carmen waiting while I set up the pivo

We spent a little time on trot- getting her to track up and push to my hands while being bent. But we mostly worked on the canter. 

like why is my outside shoulder back? sigh.
 riding is hard and Carmen is a saint

It was different to have a lesson focussed on the canter because normally it takes a while for Carmen to be, well rideable (word of the day!) and cantering sooner is just asking for it all to go to shit. 

But not now. Now we can just canter. Is it perfect? No? But it's good. and getting better. In my rides alone I've been cantering a lot and asking for transitions down the long side. And because I'm riding the canter more, I'm getting better and so is the gait. (feel free to roll your eyes here). 

I know her ears are back but she actually wasn't pissed at me

Jane had us canter a 10 metre circle and then ask for the walk. It was not good. Because I wasn't managing the rhythm. That's when she started having me count a rhythm: 1-2-3-4. She got it started for me and then I was to say it out loud as we cantered. 

At first it felt really weird. And then things began to click and I was timing my aids with my counting and keeping her in a steady rhythm.  I began to really be able to time my hands and my legs to help her and it became so much easier. 

Like any new thing, it follows a pattern of 'get it, lose it, get it, lose it, get it, almost lose it but save it,'  The walk-canter transitions really improved. The canter-walk got better but were still crappy on the long side. But I can work on that. 

Jane then had me do the counter canter serpentine. Which is you're not familiar are where you ride a sepertine on one lead and the middle piece is in counter canter.  These have been historically difficult, Carmen wants to speed up and get sprawly and I usually let her. If I try to correct we go sideways.  Like I said at the beginning, they are getting way better.  

I have a 4 minute video on YouTube that I'm sharing. You can see the struggle with right lead CC and her confusion.  I'm counting and trying to keep the rhythm. The first few are not so good and once she even broke gait from her confusion over being asked to do it differently. But the last one was the best we've even done. And that's where we stopped. 

What I do love is how much better my seat is at the canter and that I'm not being bounced out of the saddle. What I really love is how hard she's trying.  Jane said 'you must be so proud of the work you've done. because this is because of you. 

And you! I said We both agreed that it has definitely been a team effort.  

(and if you guessed that the title reference was to Lawrence Welk, a conductor who had a musical TV show from 1951-1982. He started every number by saying 'a one an a two an a three an a four').  Yes I'm old. 

The Grind

 There's this saying "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" (I consulted google and it seems that the source for this is unknown). I disagree. I have had a wonderful career that I really enjoyed, but honestly some days were hard. 

Quaid: yeeessss, that's the spot! 

Horse training is no different. I love riding and lots of times it is fun and it makes my soul sing. But that doesn't mean it's not work. The show gave me a ton of information and I've been putting it to work. I put cantering on the back burner while I worked on my posture. If I couldn't stay up and balanced at walk and trot then cantering made no sense.  As this improved I began to re-introduce the canter. It felt like things were going well. 

Then  I had a lesson shortly after with Jane and it was really good.  And by good, I mean he was not feeling this riding thing at all. So the lesson was on getting him to work through it. To quote Jane "he needs to work even when he's feeling emotional". It was a good lesson, even though I really couldn't tackle the canter. It felt like he was just bouncing up and down almost on the spot. I honestly had no idea how to ride it. So Jane switched things up and had us trot forward, asking his front legs to wait while his hind legs caught up. When he gets excited he flails his front legs and his hind legs go out behind (hopefully that makes sense). I could feel how this work really balanced him. It was hard because the temptation is to hold the front and push with the legs but it's more of a feel wait, just wait.  This ride was hard and fell into the not-so-fun category. But it also fell into the this-work-is-really-gonna-pay-off category. 

Since then our rides have been pretty good. He throws the occasional I don't wanna but I'm getting way better at riding it forward. I'm feeling a lot more balanced at the canter too- I'm not falling forward or gripping. Even though it takes a lot of focus and determination I can feel how it helps him to balance under me. 

Property ownership is also work. I've repainted the riding ring fence and put up new letters. 

looking a lot better

We also got our small bales this week. We have to get them off the field. It's hot and hard work but now that I just get 200 it's not as awful as when we had to get 500.  

we can get 100 per load

With the summer temperatures hitting I've been riding early and usually just one of them. That works them less but I tend to ride longer so I'm sure it balances out. Regardless, I'm enjoying this schedule. Carmen has been going really well these days. I can feel improvements in our transitions and counter canter. Not perfect but better. Each time it feels more flowy.  The other day I brought her out to ride and when I looked at her left haunch I thought wtf? It was covered in small scabs and a big swollen area with what looked like a bite. I think she rolled in an ants nest or something. 

I rode her lightly and she felt fine. After the swelling was down a lot. I scrubbed her and then put some witch hazel on it. The scabs are still there but it's a lot better. Honestly, I was surprised it was Carmen and not Quaid, given his propensity for getting into trouble.  But other than that I've really been having fun riding her. She's become a really solid mount. 

Earlier this week my friend Tanya came over with her mare and we rode together in the ring. I rode Quaid because I really wanted to practice him working around other horses. At first he was very distracted and kept losing rhythm. But as we went on he relaxed and stopped worrying. Tanya was great riding close to us and then away. 

It was fun and work. 

In a couple weeks we're doing a 3 day clinic. I plan to ride both of them all three days. Two of those days will be away which will be great for us. 

I wouldn't say "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" I'd say "Do what you love and the work will be worth it".