My instructor rode Farley.
Let me revise that.
My very tall instructor rode Farley.
Who sticks at 14.2 ONLY because she has super high withers. Is more like an honest 14.1 or 14.0.
Hehehehehe.
Today we worked on connection and stretching that connection. My instructor hopped on because she was trying to show me something specific. She rode her around and then did things like shoulder in etc. I got to hear her say such nice things to Farley like "good girl!" "such a smart mare!". The best thing was to watch her being ridden - no one else has ridden Farley is ~2 years. What a difference! She's all "muscle-ly" now, tracking up and through at the trot etc. We are definitely on the right track.
My trainer said that she had to keep reminding herself that Farley is an intro horse, because she's riding a lot more broke than that. :) *self-preening*
So how did we stretch the connection? Farley is (finally!) accepting contact at the walk and trot consistently. Today we focused on softening the connection when she takes it and asking her to really stretch over the top. It goes something like this: (this isn't a revelation yet because I haven't had an aha! moment. Give me some time...).
- I ask for flexion and drive her into the bit.
- She takes contact
- I push my hands forward and ask her to stretch (basically as far as she wants right now as long as she's seeking contact and still giving me an honest forward).
- If she goes off the contact I drive her forward into the bit and repeat.
I'm excited. I'm on the cusp of realizing something fundamental, but I just haven't internalized it completely yet. Expect a major aha! moment soon.
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That's very cool! Love hearing your ah-hah moments. Hopefully in a couple months I can pick up dressage lessons again - I really miss them!
ReplyDeleteHappy sigh.
ReplyDeleteA good lesson is wonderful, isn't it?
That's so great, congrats! The best $$ I ever spent was on lessons - it's the best investment you can ever make in your horse, so keep it a priority and you'll be really glad you did later.
ReplyDeleteThat's so great, congrats! The best $$ I ever spent was on lessons - it's the best investment you can ever make in your horse, so keep it a priority and you'll be really glad you did later.
ReplyDeleteYAY!! when i was reading that part about ~ 2 years since someone else has ridden her, i was like WOW! but then i realized no one but me has ridden sassy since we have had her :D
ReplyDeleteLove the updates on the lessons :)
just another comment on your ride calendar from me :)
ReplyDeleteisn't it Bar H? Lol at least it is the right year this time :D
Aha! I told her folks would be looking for a Bar s Ride if she didn't fix it.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm the only one who has ever ridden Phebes. Makes me wonder how she'd be in other (more capable) hands. ~E.G.
ReplyDeleteGreat progress. Sounds like you are getting the "long and "low" with Farley..
ReplyDelete