Tuesday lesson with MH

Set the camera and picked up parts of the lesson: see 2013 11 12

1.  Walk:

• Getting a good walk: energetic but relaxed, tracking up--not sticky or jigging. 
• On the video the walk looked pleasant. 
• She was in and out of connection--that had been better previously but at that time it was my primary focus.

2. Trot walk transitions:

• Cleanly from trot to a good walk--avoiding little falling out steps
• 1/2 halt, repeat until Try figures it out. 
• Make it a new habit. (Rest/treat to reinforce??)
• Upward transitions are important also. Notice the tendency to go from walk to jog to trot.
• Downward also want it to be relaxed and keep a good energy into smooth immediate walk.
• Very pretty trot after a few transitions

3. Circling to supple Try's right side

• Watch for Try's tendency to fall in and make the circle smaller.
• Use inside leg for this to keep the circle round whatever the circle size.
• Right rein and give, right rein and give.

4. Canter:

• Help Try every few strides with right rein
• Sit deep and follow with seat
• Separate my seat from reins, elbows. 
• Same downward transition as above. 
• Rhythm issue--trotting behind as my primary focus was independent seat and hands.
• I had several times 14 strides or so of a consistent good rhythm on the CIRCLE on the straight line I lost rhythm. Once we had two circles in a row of good rhythm. 
• Reins were bobbling some!

This was the best day so far in sitting the canter.
I see myself transitioning from in effect being a passenger to helping Try to have nice relaxed gaits with a good energy and helping her to use her body to be between my legs without falling in etc.

Videotape my rides with Try also!!