Wednesday - Try and I in the field - YeeHaw sorta

"Loosen the Spring" day:

Trotted in the field--see video. Just to let loose some. I remembered Gretchen's slow medium fast trotting at Williamston and thought some trotting really moving out would be a good idea. We did get some--Try was a bit confused and offered canter instead a few times. I was also working on NOT lifting my leg behind me to cue.

Also played with right side steps from session with Dan and feel confused--see video

I learned:
1. Tap behind the shoulder
2. Tap in phases
3. She did repeatedly look out her right side and walk off with that front foot.
4. Lateral flexion from a standstill was not as incredible after I spent 15 minutes of dwell time and treats on that side on the ground.
5. HQ yield: cross over with stick?

Tuesday - Lesson with MH - Try--pretty trot

I arrived early to have 20 minutes to warm up Try at a walk--she was still in her stall so turned her out for 10 minutes or so while I set things up for the day. Then quick groom (now that she is clipped and blanketed) and out to the ring. We actually walked for 25 minutes playing with patterns, straightness, etc. (forgot to work on rhythm). It only seemed like 5 minutes to me but when Try let me know she was ready to trot I checked my watch and stopped--then 15 minutes of dwell time.

Lesson with MH: I can't remember--so much said. BUT I filmed and saw a lovely trot coming with more swing and freedom in the shoulders--she looks so pretty vs tight, stiff, muscular etc. Also watching the video pretty nice attitude as well.

I saw that my leg is sooooo far back--what is going on there--is this what Kathy has been talking about?
The canter back in my saddle--the first go was a mess for me--then after releasing the tension in the legs and just sorta balancing on my butt only it got better. (??Try it bareback, lengthen stirrups, use carrot stick??)

I was able to keep reminding myself about elbows and resting wrists. Try made downward transitions from canter to trot before I could visualize, relax, sit deep and progressive half halt--except once from trot to walk it was really good.

Monday - MH rode Try

Catching game in the pasture, avoiding Richmond as MH rode him first, then MH rode Try. Today I noticed a different pattern--more head movement--MH said she was trying to rebalance herself. Also MH said when Try jigs at the walk to keep my legs on her--it is emotional--don't release--help her work through it. Also when going from left bend to right bend/circle, watch for Try dropping her right shoulder and help her stay square.

Later in the day I rode Devon:
Lovely catching game in the pasture twice today. Taking the bit in bridling still an issue. WTC Also did Intro A test before and after cantering. Canter went well--good energy and did not break gait except to poop which is permissible for him.

The test:
1. The first time was before cantering and I had problems getting a good trot.
2. The second time we had good energy in the trot but during the walk at the end he broke to a trot twice.
3. I learned: straightness was an issue down the center line and on the diagonals.
4. The circle at A we did not reach the first side marker--both times!
5. Pretty good at bending in the corners, and reaching the letters at the shoulder.

Conclusion: this was fun BUT better to work on the pieces than do a whole test--basically practicing things incorrectly.

Saturday - watched EDCTA show at Wind Drift

Enjoyed the show day. Great to be able to sit with Kathy to see if I could see what she was seeing. I saw it on an intuitive level that she was able to describe with knowledge. I was especially interested in seeing Lynne Green's Intro A test as this was her first show and Kathy was coaching her/reading the test for her. I took the photo.

It was also fun to see Lisa doing the Sport Horse Versatility with her two year old pony Waiku (Q).

This inspired me to learn the  Intro A test:

Saturday and Sunday with Try: Saturday both Dawn and I stopped by and hung out with her in her pasture and gave her treats. On Sunday, C.H. and I brought the big pumpkin and I visited with Try again.

Thursday Fun Patterns with Kathy and Devon

Went to the barn about noon as its getting colder in the mornings and dressage ring is free in the afternoon. I spent 20 minutes of dwell time with Try on her right side and she did not attempt to move the position. Just hung out while she grazed.

Then talked to BA about changing Devon to 2x per week instead of 3 and picking up the extras in January etc--providing he is still at Rollover. Also may help her with turn in next Friday.

Then Devon, groom and warmup in the ring. Kathy arrived and we played with dressage patterns and geometry and I am stoked. This is going to be fun. Devon was great about moving off my leg etc. Also I showed Kathy video of Try and I cantering in the bareback pad and my not having an issue sitting the canter. I cantered with Devon and really worked at sitting deeply as his canter is so lovely. I have to admit to some fear at sitting in that position instead of forward and Kathy said it is my position check MY THIGHS are long and relaxed--move them out and down and back in place.

Got back to the barn and BA had clipped Try for me!!

Geometry lesson:
1. diagonals: arrive at the letter with shoulder--okish to zone 3 not terrible if arrive a little soon--judge just thinks I need more precision, bad to be late--shows a lack of preparation. Use legs to stay nicely on course to make this happen.
2. straight on the rail: needs just a bit of bend of the shoulder fore to give the illusion of straightness from the judge's point of view--otherwise HQ appear to be out of line.
3. 20 meter circles: i.e. at C--3 points on the rail for only a couple of strides--again using right or left leg to cue so horse stays straight between my legs on the circle. A 20 meter circle in the middle (not at A or C) is more difficult as there are only 2 points where I connect with the rail.
4. This should be a seamless dance especially in the transitions from one pattern piece to another.
5. I want to practice this with Try--including closing my eyes on a straight line down the center line to feel and correct with my legs AND with my eyes open and a strong focus to see if she is following my focus.

Wednesday - I am in trouble!

Rode in MH's saddle and the difference was way too huge to ignore. I really don't have $3,000 to spend on a new saddle but from that ride I can truly see the need.

Great ride ever so pleased at how easy it felt especially at the trot and the canter was great also. Try coming up and maintaining so I can think about other things and I sat that canter.

Homework, etc.
1. Warmup at the walk for rhythm, tracking up, walking on a straight line before asking for contact/connection. 5-20 minutes! Try needs a long warmup??
2. Trot and canter was so much easier with my arms wider and lower--Try really understood. MH says it is used a lot for young horses.
3. Circles and walk/halt/salute--something fun to practice especially 20 meter circles that are not a 1/3 of the ring.
4. Canter on the circle then go off the circle on a diagonal and use 1/2 halt and sit deep to get a better transition to the trot.

Try's Right Side
Before the lesson with MH I rode Try bareback in the back paddock to play with the right side issue. She was amazingly light in the basic lateral flexion and not afraid to step out. I did not play with maintaining the flexion and ask for HQ yield. I remembered to mount and dismount on the right side. Forgot some to be on her right side on the lead line and we did a lot of dwell time and treats on her right side.

Tuesday - MH rode Try and I rode Devon

I arrived early and groomed Try. MH rode and Try looked like a dressage horse. MH said she was really responsive to seat cues and that I had done a good job with her. Also that as she got going she was responding more and more--shorten and length canter, turns, helping her on her right side, etc. Also being in raging season she and Richmond were very aware of each other. I noticed Try cutting her eyes before she got the idea of connecting/contact then her eyes softened. After I saw a lack of self-confidence.

We then went to the back paddock and played various liberty games all on her right side: i.e. weave cones, touch it with a cone on the barrel and sideways across the barrel, sticking together/dwell/friendly and apple slices.

Showered her with warm water as it was cold, cooler and in her stall to dry off. Her winter coat is really coming in and takes a long time to dry. Looking forward to that blanket clip soon!!

Next got Devon in from his field--all three of those horses are friendly and nice to be with. With Devon we warmed up w/t then no-stirrups posting trot and I needed to walk between my two laps. Canter was better--broke gait once only and was more relaxed at the end and we did more laps than Monday.

Monday - Strange Day

Went to the barn at 1 instead of 9am. I had no energy or concentration--sunny and I ate a brownie for lunch. Anyway spent the time with Devon--he did not break at the canter even tho both of us were feeling really lazy. Treats, dwell--first day Devon did not want me to leave when we got back to his pasture. Could be treats and with 50 some hours together--who knows what he thinks of the relationship. Only tricks today was mounting block--should bring kids carrot stick out next time.

Try: spent 20 minutes with her in her pasture only on her right side and in zone 3 or 4. She kept trying to change that and put me in zone 1 and off the right side. Interesting.

Friday - Dan Thompson

2013 10 18

·        Questions/help

·        Slow, fun non-physical stuff on line or liberty—filling her +s bucket priority—creative ideas??

·        Stiff on right side – lateral flexion

·        Canter and emotion—Dawn comments—does Try ever like to canter—always emotional?

·     

·       ·        Balance in Try’s life

o   Dressage learning—shortens the body, tightens the spring, benefits to health and to my learning. So far Try is positive or neutral in response. This includes stretching.

o   Loosen the spring necessary for balance. This is the yeehah factor—go out in the field and just go for it stuff. Ride ‘em cowboys. Barrels and poles: has she been taught use of body or just pushed thru it like jumping.

o   Filling the + bucket

§  feeling smart and appreciated without much physical exertion

§  sweet spot like the pedestal

§  precision and degrees of advancement

§  short duration of high physical activity or emotional stress

§  Parelli puzzles—solving a puzzle and nicker—enjoying learning process

§  Dwell, do nothing

§  Mirroring, sync

§  RIGHT SIDE

o   Fixing emotional issues:

§  right side emotional stiffness

§  intensity is our friend

§  Canter:

·        Lateral movement to release emotion

o   Offensive/defensive

o   HQ/shoulders/ribs

o   Serpentine

o   Heavy on forehand—counter bend on the circle—leg yield for lateral drift to take tension out of the ribs

o   Task her brain to get focus off the emotion

·        Vary the speed within the canter—use this in an approach and retreat manner to reduce the emotional reaction. Change her expectation and help her find a better answer.

·        Note: most emotional bending around the corner on the right lead—right side lack of trust and confidence.

THE RIGHT SIDE

·        ONLY the right side unless not possible until 2014.

·        Constant conscious awareness—post reminders at home—calendar etc. and in tack trunk, etc.

·        Ask BA/Dawn etc. to help with this when leading/dwell time

Preparing to ride

·        Lead on Try’s right side and spend extra time there as halter fastens on left

·        Groom both but spend more time on the right side

·        Tacking up can be done mostly on the right side

·        Mount and dismount on the right side

On the Ground—On Line and Liberty

·        7 games

o   Friendly!!! Including dwell/treats especially after riding

o   Porcupine and driving

o   Sideways to and fro and bring yer butt

o   Squeeze—pedestal

o   Touch it

o   Sticking together

·        Obstacles—cue from the right side

o   Weave

o   Tarp

o   Sidepass the barrel or whatever

o   Touch it cone on barrel

o   Straddle a pole

o   Small jump

Riding the Right Side!!!

·        First Can Try think out of the right side when touch right side from a stand still?
·        Then think and move stepping first with right front foot
·        Add HQ good step release and watch for right eye to relax (white not showing)
·        The walk and slow trot turns from right and left side and later without using the reins
·        Then release ribs and shoulder releases·         

Kathy comments:   Dan said he has been working on a book as he has been exploring,  what he refers to as having the horse think out of their stiff side.  By watching the horses eye you can see where they are thinking/leaving.  A horse may be doing what you are asking, but, where are they really thinking.  The hook is that when a horse is giving you stiffness, resistence, spookiness it may not be naughtiness, leaving etc., it may be that the horse just can't think out of that side of the brain.  It is not a right brain controlling the left side motor responses as in a brain injury, it is something no one has ever taught them or given them the chance to solve/find the right answer.  WHen I reran my mental images of Try in my head, I could see the biggest problems have been on the right side.  It was a totally new way of thinking about and looking at a horses' problems.  It reminded me of my first horse Nauti, who had rt lead problems and they were corrected by my touching her on the right shoulder to signal which lead she should throw.  In essense, I helped her think out the right side.  It is a very new way of looking at how horses think and connect to & with us.  Dan is so interesting.

Wednesday - Devon

Pleasant ride with Devon today and progress with breaking gait at the canter.

Tuesday - MH rode Try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am beside myself with excitement. Today MH rode Try walk/trot/canter and it looked just like I hoped it would. And I got to ride after and feel the difference.

Try started out flat and stiff behind and avoiding the contact. Before long she was licking and chewing and blowing. I did not see the shifty angry eyes or the help me/get me outa here eyes or the tail swishing. The walk got better then the trot was better as far as connection goes. MH pointed out how much stiffer Try is on the right side and tends to over bend inward to make circles smaller because of this. She needs my attention to softening and keeping her straight on the circle. Then the canter started a bit rough and got better and better. After both the trot and walk looked even more improved.

If I could get this much quality at this level on my own in a few months, I would consider it a huge, wonderful success.

Plan one lesson and one session MH rides Try to teach her. Happily Kathy is interested in working on my canter with Devon and rider tests so this should all work together well. I will need to think about filling Try's positives bucket and riding her full out/lengthened in the field for balance.

Monday - first day back with Devon

Lovely, sweet Devon--first day back after hocks injected last week--apparently he was as sore as Try was.

Nice relaxed grooming.
Lovely easy walk, no stirrups posting trot and trotting.
Canter--pretty good but breaking gait--there needs to be a consequence.
(Homework for the next ride on Wednesday.)
Also Kathy is interested in switching to lessons with Devon to work on my sitting the canter.

Life Among the Titans

Rollover is very different now and I am considering how I fit in to a barn full of professionals. I wish to maintain self-respect and confidence in the midst of all of this. In so doing here are some of my thoughts:

Strengths/assets	Challenges	What I want
hugely care about horses happiness	lack of self confidence	establish some level of competence
hugely dedicated to learning	desire to lead and follow	be proud of accomplishment
history of learning	easier to follow a strong leader	need to put it to purpose
ballet learning to draw on that applies	get distracted easily	an area of expertise that has value
social work learning	can be lazy and moody	need to give back
RBE attuned unconciously	RBE attuned unconciously	to get better at reading horses
good at mentoring and supporting	feeling like a failure	to be a stronger more fit rider
really smart	taking the time to read the moment	improved cueing
social security income		training to level 1 dressage knowledge
I have passed L3 Parelli and well thru L4+
I have the physical strength for decent hack		get back on track with Devon
I have learned a good bit about dressage		find fun slow stuff for Try
able to help horses be more confident		filling Try's bucket
able to help horses make small changes		watch BA and MH more
able to help horses relax		Try: canter
able to give a horse a L1-2 foundation		Try: physical connection/vertical flex
self confidence
hard worker		rider tests
ba keeps me tough
ba sees to my physical fitness and safety
ba finds opportunities for me
kathy dedicated to my learning
kathy supports me on many levels
kathy coaches on many levels - depth
dan helps me read horses
dan helps me see the big picture
mh is very clear and gives me visuals
competing isn't interesting to me
I don't need to be an instructor
trail riding isn't a goal
enjoy accomplishment & progress
enjoy others successes

Fun Saturday with Dawn and Try

THE PLAN: After reviewing lesson with MH and reviewing GoC

Film and ask Dawn to watch

Filling Try’s bucket: Treats/dwell/Dawn/attention

Contact/connection/flexion and canter

Walk (briefly to check)

Reins mean go--means use weight and seat aids but not leg aids.

sliding rein

SLOWLY take the contact, smoothly, lovingly, massage

GAME: if you don't take it, I will--Jim Carrey

If I don't want to PLAY, then Try won't either.

Bicep/tricep

check elbows, RESTING hands

Reins mean keep going--check Try on this

Ride forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s all intention and phasing.

Trot

pick a pattern

check moving forward in the stretch

sliding rein

SLOWLY take the contact, smoothly, lovingly, massage

GAME: if you don't take it, I will--Jim Carrey

If I don't want to PLAY, then Try won't either.

Bicep/tricep

check elbows, RESTING hands

Reins mean keep going--check Try on this

Ride forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s all intention and phasing.

½ halt to warn of change of rein/direction/pattern/gait etc

Canter

Canter on circle, sit on outside seat bone and use inside suspension rein. Canter in my body to ask for the canter--no leg! Shorten reins if on the forehand

Ride forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s all intention and phasing.

on my balance point, sitting deep and rocking through the canter with my legs on Try to help her.

Also elastic contact following her motion.

Just a few strides then trot.

BUT when I feel Try changing rhythm and about to break to trot to catch it in time and urge her forward and not make the downward transition to trot until/unless the canter is good and I choose when.

?? Try was coming up and shortening her stride--this was not good and she needed to lengthen??

So what happened:

1. I did play with taking the contact through the sliding rein but could see I did not have true contact until I went to 2 reins. I had success in asking Try to walk off from seat but it would be good to repeat this carefully with treats and be even more clear. Today we expected a lot, accepted a little and rewarded. So yes reins do mean go and Try passed the "test."

2. The walk on contact--we were not getting this or maintaining--I could see that I did not really have contact NOR take the time it takes.

3. Trot was better, especially after stretching and walk better after trotting.

4. FIND resting hands and good contact!!!!

5. Canter: Not good--need to rethink. What would make Try like to canter?

Having said all this, we all had a good time. Dawn played with Try on the ground and added stick to me at walk/halt/back and trot. Also she rode Try and was able to cue from seat alone for go/stop and turn with just a bit of leg added.

Wednesday - Drama at Rollover - Thursday Solutions

Drama at Rollover

1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.

Update:
I went to the barn early and talked to BA and she and then MH agreed to give Try back her pasture on the hill and I have a backup place to ride and play.

Later in the day I returned for lesson with Kathy. Groomed, hung out, dwell time.

Try OFFERED 4 feet on the pedestal when I did not give her a treat for 3 feet. I cued only from intention that it was ok for her to be on the pedestal then just waited.

Waiting for Kathy we had a passenger ride--all calm with Try and Richmond. Then lots more hanging out waiting for Kathy. Then decided to go ahead and reviewed what Try and I did with MH on Tuesday. As I was leaving Kathy arrived and we sat and talked for an hour--see notes to follow.

Discussion with Kathy

We discussed my thoughts over the past three days spurred by the 1000 hour mile stone--i.e. what have I learned in 3 years, changes and where do I want to go.

There have been dramatic changes in the connection Try and I have. Kathy stated that I take it for granted and see more of the negative whereas onlookers see a magical relationship bringing tears/goosebumps etc that human and horse can be like that. (paraphrasing don't remember exact language). 3 years with Dan has made such a difference in my understanding and approach. The whole mind reading, love and acceptance of Try's horsenality makes for so much more enjoyment.

Dressage learning the same--Kathy says go back and look at Game of Contact dvds and see how far I have come in a short time. That learning has taken place so quickly because of fitness and body awareness from dance, awareness of elements of movement such as relaxation, etc., inquiring thinking mind. Openness to change. Of course, Kathy has taken me on this journey!

The need to give back, put it to purpose, some kind of established status as no longer an adult beginner--we did not really address in a way that helps. BA and I will hopefully find time to talk about this next week also.

1000 Hours!!

Today I logged in my horsemanship hours at ParelliConnect and my total was over 1000!! That is in 1 years and 10 months. Lots of hours and amazing that I kept up with them.

So what has happened in 3 years:
1. Dan Thompson learning has truly changed the relationship I have with Try. We are connected and read each other. We match each other physically and emotionally. We have draw. We can do cool stuff at liberty just for fun. Remembering 1.5 hours of liberty with Dan in the big pasture.
2. I am more understanding and patient and can laugh at whatever--including Devon's little tricks he likes to play on humans. Try's emotional ups over having the stallion in residence is a fun new horsemanship challenge rather than a negative.
3. Game of contact course I audited 3 years ago: I can now ride with contact/a bit of vertical flexion/physical connection of energy. I see myself as being on the path to level 4 finesse.
4. I am no longer bound to progressing step by step in the Parelli program materials but applying the philosophy and picking and choosing the parts that serve our goals.
5. I can see myself in the future going back to the beginning on line with other horses to create relationship, then beginning with freestyle riding for responsibilities and foundation and adding to that foundation/relationship with liberty and finesse riding.

More--it has been 9-10 years of Parelli study
1. Passing level 4 was the goal but I have gradually been letting go of that in favor of seeking well rounded horsemanship. Try would not enjoy the pressure of passing L4--some tasks also would not be fun for her at age 22 with her conformation tho we could possibly have faked out way thru with less than perfect flying changes and getting jumps relaxed, filming and forgetting BUT this isn't truthful.
2. Tasks on line and liberty are now about fun and promoting emotional fitness and happiness.
3. Focus on finesse riding: not for level 4 but to round out my knowledge so I could take a horse through the whole process of learning.
4. Perhaps in January I could seek a new horse for beginning on line learning.
5. So this seems more balanced, truthful and in line with where I am now??

Drama at Rollover

1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.

Tuesday - Lesson with MH and only one stallion

Got to the barn. It was only drizzling so went ahead and got Try, gave her the last adequan shot and then had lesson with MH. Try enjoyed having Richmond in the adjoining paddock.

1. Connection--i.e. contact and vertical flexion--much better.

It is not only moving forward from the HQ, connection with the reins BUT it really helped to think of using my abs (Linda's Michael Jackson) to ride Try forward with my seat and thighs (1/2 halt). Perhaps this was because Try had such good energy today. Will need to see how this works on a really laid back day.

Anyway Try got and then maintained the connection pretty much through the walk and trot with change of direction and change of gait. I practiced thinking ahead and giving the 1/2 halt to warn Try of the upcoming transition.

2. Canter--hmmm. I want to think of being on my balance point, sitting deep and rocking through the canter with my legs on Try to help her. Also elastic contact following her motion. Just a few strides then trot. BUT when I feel Try changing rhythm and about to break to trot to catch it in time and urge her forward and not make the downward transition to trot until/unless the canter is good and I choose when. ?? Try was coming up and shortening her stride--this was not good and she needed to lengthen??

Monday - Riding with the Stallions

Today the plan was for an easy ride and a bit of connection with Try as an easy transition back from the virus etc. No stirrups was out and BA agreed to ride Devon.

Nice grooming, barn quiet and relaxed. Started out to the ring but realized both Richmond and Grover were out in paddocks on either side of the ring so figured Try's field would be a better choice. BA was riding Webster and said--come ride in ring, it will be ok. HAH. I began with a little circling game in the dressage ring and Try settled pretty well and connection was ok. When I mounted to ride though she would not stand still and was excited about Grover who was racing up and down and calling to Try. So actually lunged Try at a canter for while--she got a good workout. Then asked for walk/trot transitions to test emotional fitness and all seemed pretty well again. Try had a lovely energetic trot--tracking up after the canter. LOL Went back to dressage ring and walked and trotted, etc. Then good long shower, dwell time and later apple slices in her pasture.

Friday

First day back--Wed/Thur home with virus.

Video taped Try and I--followup to Tuesday lesson

1. Video—best job I have done at feeling confident to follow thru on plan to work on my ability to ride with contact and vertical flexion and using HQ in the canter.
2. It looked like I could take the contact more firmly and maintain and give less and Try would have been able to respond better tho she did get and maintain more than I have ever had before when not in a lesson.
3. Canter—Try was sorta fighting the contact--in and out--but HQ better. She was not heavy on the forehand.
4. Try was tracking up more and more as we went along in the trot.

Wow Connection and Canter improvements

Lesson Today: MH prefers to think not of contact/connection etc but that connection comes from the hind end to the bridle and rounds up rather than just connecting my hands to bit as contact. Just think connection as the appropriate amount of rounding up for my horse, from the hind end of course. Forget whatever else. LOL

Loved the plan for connection

3 steps—

Take a really solid feel

Ask with ring fingers or even wrists

Then soften a bit when Try rounds up

This really worked—we stayed at it and Try got it and maintained walk/trot, changing gait and rein (direction) and some in the canter.

Plan is to do this at least a little every day I see Try even if it’s a day for something else.

Little by little this will happen and its time!! Make this a habit--getter done!!

Canter real improvement today

Follow thru with my seat

Maintain the connection and rounding up

½ halt if necessary

ONLY do a few strides then trot until build up the physical strength

Same as above—at least a little every day I see Try even if it’s a day for something else.

Little by little this will happen and its time!!

Leg yield: Did not get to it—just a little moving over is fine for now—next time ask about inside leg connects with outside rein—can practice this on the circle also. Plus staying square in my body on the circle—not asking for extra bend from Try while we are concentrating on connection.

My thoughts:
1. Overall: I would like to see the connection more pronounced and consistent--it felt good from Try's back but did not look as good on the video. Also the walk and trot looked draggy to me--needed a better rhythm BUT again they felt good from Try's back.
2. The canter however really did look better like it was coming so much more from the HQ and so much more pleasant to ride.
3. Comments from the audio: A horse who is put together is less able to be naughty or spooky.
4. Gaits are all better/freer when the horse is put together.
5. Blowing puts the horse together.
6. What about tracking up? ASK
7. I want to pay attention to downward transitions.
8. 1/2 halt tells HQ to whoa
9. importance of a quality walk giat.
10. would be interesting to watch MH work with the new ponies.

Compare the above canter to July 2013 bareback canter footage: