Third Canter Under Saddle ~ Video

First thanks for all the info on the supplements.  I decided to go with something called Activ-flex 4000.  I can get it locally at an "Equine Health Food Store" and it costs about $25 a month.  Here is the analysis:

Guaranteed Analysis
	Per oz.	Per lb.
Glucosamine Sulfate	8,000 mg.	128,000 mg.
Chondroitin Sulfate	4,000 mg.	64,000 mg.
Type II Collagen	3,000 mg.	48,000 mg.
MSM	3,000 mg.	48,000 mg.
Ester C (Ascorbic Acid)	1,000 mg.	16,000 mg.
Perna Canaliculus	1,000 mg.	16,000 mg.
Yucca	150 mg.	2,400 mg.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)	125 mg.	2,000 mg.
Bioperine	100 mg.	1,600 mg.

Decided to not do the "load" process and just start with a maintenance dose, it may take longer to see improvement but without a lot of "supervising" I didn't want to introduce something new so quickly.

Today I met "Mother" from the blog I am Boyfriend at the local tack store.  She's letting me try a Mattes pad as well as a Roma all purpose with the Sheep Skin wither relief on Rosie.   I have to say Bif's "Mother" is an absolute trip and though we've never met before I felt like we've known each other for years! 

So off to the barn Jim and I went.  He agreed to do some video for me.  

I used the Roma today and noticed an immediate improvement in saddle position. My saddle didn't slip at all when I mounted either. It always did a small amount previously, and I didn't tighten it any more than I ever have.   I also felt more "upright" when sitting in it.  I'm not sure how else to explain it.

First is sitting trot in a figure 8.  I LOVE how she is so light off my leg, swinging her hind end out around the circle.    I need to focus on my elbows - I notice you can see daylight between them and my ribs,  but my hands have improved!

Left lead canter.  She picks up left lead fairly easier.  You can see where I'm still fighting my body but I eventually get sitting up and almost correct.  I think I'm pushing my seat instead of just sitting.





Right lead canter.  She's not so fast picking this one up.  I have to be careful when I ask that I'm very clear or she gets the wrong lead.  It's also harder to keep her moving to the right.   Still pushing with my seat but more in an sitting up position.






I also did what felt like a gallop, but from what my husband described it was probably a much better, and forward canter.  He said she was reaching and relaxed, and I was sitting up right and just going with it instead of "forcing it".   Unfortunately no video of that one.  

New Digs - Pictures

I'm sure the novelty of cleaning stalls will wear off, but I can tell you I've enjoyed it the past two days!

Job well done... 

Bonnie's still nervous and jiggy but she'll calm down soon enough... 

Whatcha doing ???

The green pasture in the background with the run-in shed is theirs too... 

 Coming to gate when called...  Rosie has turned into the lead mare over the summer.

I had a great ride on Rosie - absolutely no pulling or bracing from her!

Working Trot - sitting

Working on free walk

Happy Horse Owner!

Intro B Video

From the Starry Nights Dressage show in July.

This was the 63% - 4th place Intro B test.

My warm up was "un-orthodox" to say the least.  I was flexing her head loosing up the jaw, I also had to get her listening to my seat so was actually doing walk/trot transition.  I know,  not the best thing to do BUT it is MY warm-up and it works.

Starry Nights Dressage Show

What a day!  Successful too!

Rosie and I started our day with a quick bath.  I'd already scrubbed her really good earlier in the week and did her tail and mane so no deep clean or shampoo/conditioner needed.

After a very stress free load up we were on our way. The show was at Walnut Creek Stables which is a very beautiful facility.  I leased a stall in the large main barn for the day and am so glad I did with the temperatures in the mid 90's with high humidity.  Each stall had a steel grid stall door on the back side for light and ventilation.  It was cooler in the barn with a nice breeze through the isle way.
(all pictures are click to super-size)

In Rosie's stall

Between my nerves and her naturally being up because of the different environment, warm up was interesting.  In door she was at least listening...

Warm-up in the Indoor

Once outside I had plenty of "Go" but her brakes were broke... very little stop to her.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and exhaled slowly, forcing myself into calm and relaxing everything.  

I did all walk/trot classes because neither Rosie or I have enough confidence in the canter yet so I didn't want the added stress of worrying about it.  This means that equitation and Dressage Suitability is all ages, and all riding abilities.

Suitability and Equitation

Check out the Saddle Pad!

The tally for the day :
3rd in Dressage Suitability
1st in Dressage Equitation
60% Intro A  (I completely screwed up one movement) - 5th place
63 % Intro B - This test I got all 7's and 8's for 4th place.

I totally hosed one 20 meter circle in Intro A.  I knew as soon as I started it it was going to be bad but recovered well and was the only mark under a 6.  I had same judge for Intro B so I went to work correcting the things she remarked on.

Intro B felt TERRIFIC !!  Circles are a bit sticky on the right bend and the judges only bad remarks was that I was using a lot of hand on the circle to the right.  At least she didn't remark on me using my entire body weight to move her over!

Every Color but Red!

Lesson's and Unexpected Rodeo

Today was Lesson Day and I was a bit apprehensive as Jodi hasn't given me a lesson on my either of my two horses in about a year.   I've always gone to her and rode Karaat.

You see, I'm training Rosie all by myself from greener than green to a horse anyone can ride.  She came into my world as a pushy, no ground manners, minimal steering and brakes.. well only on her terms.  This was three summers ago.  So I was afraid that Jodi,  who in my opinion is a great instructor and trainer, would be all over me for things I've done wrong with my horses even though I feel like I've made great progress.

With Rosie the fundamental things I've been working on, rather insisting from her, is complete respect from the ground.  I had to stop making excuses, not enough time, not the only one that handles her, she's young, she's HUGE.. the list keeps going.

The worst thing about her for the longest time was leading.  She'd be all up in your space, run you over, not move away from pressure, another endless list.  Let's just say, if you don't want your horse to do it, she did it.  

Jodi was delighted at my progress with Rosie's ground training.  She walks beside and slightly behind me on loose lead.  When I halt she halts, immediately.  If I want to move her over while leading I just put my fore arm against her shoulder and she steps over away from the pressure.   She now stands still for grooming and tacking without tying, inside the barn and outside in the middle of where all the "barn" action happens.  Today a bunch of kids were getting ready to go for a trail ride, and a gentleman was there repairing the tractor.  Jodi's jaw dropped when I showed her the "Put your bridle on yourself" trick.  This is a horse that would try to walk away, every time, when you removed halter, or bridle. Not.No.More !

On to the actual lesson.  I had a list of things I wanted Jodi to evaluate and give tips.  First of all, make sure I'm correcting clenched jaw and blowing through my aides correctly.  I was, lots of circles and just make a wall/boundary with my hands and wait her out.  Next on the agenda was her falling out on the forehand and feeling like concrete against my legs when trying to bend her.  This is related to the clenched jaw, which is result of me clenching my jaw and putting death grip on the reins.   Go figure that all this stuff is related to each other.

Jodi showed me how to fix both of these and by the end of the first one hour lesson my 2000 pound horse was doing self carriage again and felt like 2 ounces in my hands.  She's bending around my leg and moving away from it.  Her jaw and face was relaxed.   I did an awful lot of repetition, for both Rosie and myself.  I needed to relearn the "correct" and get faster at "correcting" but in the end I got it and was riding with a huge smile.

And then there is Bonnie....   Ya'll know that a bronc rider has to stay on for 8 Seconds right?

Well, I stayed on for 6 of those 8.   

Not sure what happened, or why, but we were going along great.  Good equitation, nice slow gaits, everything.  Nice jogs, nice lopes.  Was working on slowing down the lope, had already loped both directions  several times, very nicely too.  I was at the end of a walk break and as I came around a barrel I trotted out about 15 steps and asked for right lead lope and BAM!  Two HUGE, her heels over my head, bucks!  I probably would have recovered from that if she hadn't of thrown in another pretty huge crow hop which put me too far forward and heading off.  I grabbed around her neck and swung my leg over and landed on my feet.   I immediately went into big boss mare HUGE and moved her back very quickly, as well as around.  Got back on and tried it again.  This time I caught her as soon as she tried to drop her head and applied the emergency brake, aka one rein stop.  Rinse and repeat and no more rodeo.

No idea what got into her.  If something was pinching or hurting she should have reacted MUCH sooner than that.  She was bitless, in western saddle.  There hadn't been any tail wringing, head tossing, evading, bulking, rushing,  nothing to indicate pain or even mild discomfort.  Again,  she was completely fine with loping off after that, either lead.

Two Rides and a Question for the Viewing Audience

I've managed to get in two more rides this week.  Tuesday I rode Bonnie, I had full intentions on riding Rosie but I just couldn't bring myself to be up for that battle.  I really just wanted to ride, if you know what I mean.

This was Bonnie's third ride since October, and second ride bitless.  It was a cool 70 F degrees outside, very low humidity, blue skies and light breeze.  Absolutely beautiful weather again.  Bonnie was up, even called out once, very unusual behavior for her.

My goals for Bonnie is slow her down, have her relaxed at all gaits no matter what I do.  She will become my youngest sons mount this summer and I'm hoping he will be able to to do a walk/jog/lope class at a fun show this fall.

Bonnie and I are really liking this whole no.bit.thing.  Second ride and I'm only find small holes in our training and would be comfortable letting my son ride her now at walk/jog.  She is responding immediately to me when I pick up my rein hand and slows or halts depending on how high.  One handed neck right with very little motion.  She's still high headed but as long as I wait her out and just be as relaxed as I possibly can she does relax nicely

I didn't ride at all yesterday, but today after work I decided to try my hand with mother nature and hoped to get a ride in on Rosie without any lightening.   It started to rain just as  I pulling into the farm's lot, clouds looking a bit ugly but by the time I got changed into m breeches and boots it was clearing up.

I didn't waste time with much grooming, just dried her a bit with a towel and tacked up.  Did some leading work in the outdoor then up I went.  It was starting to rain just a bit.  Nice warm rain enough to keep the bugs at bay.

My riding goal today was bending at both walk and medium trot, and immediately catch her when she starts to power through my hands and direct her in a different direction.

I set my course up in half of the arena.  I created a square with barrels and cones, put 5 weave poles down just off center, and two ground poles on the long side.  I walked the course first, bending her both inside and outside by lifting the rein and tipping her nose in that direction until she loosened up her neck and was... um pliable is the right word here.  Half halts through the seat, and then moving up into that marching active walk.   I was being very active with my seat and hands moving with her with contact but no resistance.  I was rewarded with her back coming up and using those powerful hindquarters.  I think you could have seem my smile from the moon!

Gently ask for the trot and she immediately stiffened against my hands. I caught that first pull probably two steps into it before I sent her into a circle.  I kept that inside rein raised up a bit so that she had to tip her nose in and bend around my inside leg as soon as she stopped leaning on the bit I released the circle but not my contact.  With-in three steps she started pulling against my contact again - rinse.repeat on the circle but this time I asked for more forward and WOW rhythm !!  I released the circle and that was the last of the pulling for today.   The rest of the ride was non-eventful.  Lots of walk/trot trot/halt trot/walk walk/halt transitions.  I didn't ride long, just about 15 minutes then lightening was close enough to chase me inside the barn to untack.

Ok now a question for any Dressage people who are reading.

I'm showing her in a Dressage show July 16.  I will be cleaning her mane up, but I am not cutting or pulling it short, just more even.  So the question is "The Braid" what would you do ?

Running Braid or French Braid (My friend Sydney's blog - great read)

Scallop Braid

Weave

Riding Through the Naughty

Rosie is officially in training and she's not happy about it.  I'm showing her on July 16, Dressage Suitability w/t, Dressage Equitation w/t, and Intro's A and B (both w/t).  I talked to my trainer about Training level and she said not yet.  I wish I could get some lessons between now and then but it's not possible as Jodie was severely hurt by a young TB that kicked her last week.

We started out good, nice lovely walk up from the pasture where she was eager to be caught.  She stayed  out of my space walking behind and just to the right of me.  She stopped and stood when I stopped.

I tied her to post in outdoor arena for grooming and tacking up.  She was a lot of looky at the goings on of the farm and I was ready to pull the rope if needed if she was going to pull back.  She is very capable of pulling the posts out of the ground.   It was very busy tonight as the BO was loading the first cutting of hay into the hay loft using a conveyor, tractors driving past, guys standing around gawking, etc.  She calmed down very quickly and enjoyed her grooming.

She dropped her head nicely for me to put her bridle on, but turned to bite me when I tightened the girth.

Naughty!!!  I have long finger nails so I made sure the next time she swung that big ole head around at me her muzzle ran right into one.   It surprised her and she gave a snort in disbelief!   I didn't swing at her, I didn't scratch her - she simple ran her muzzle directly into a sharp object.  I fiddled with the girth some more with my dreaded thumb nail posed for her to run into again... and she did, but only that one additional time.  Her head went back to straight ahead and relaxed while I fiddled with the girth some more on each side reinforcing that lesson.

Mounting has been an issue for us in the past.  Today she stood stock still while I climbed on.  Even using an over turned bucket to mount I'm still climbing up!


Need to work on:

• Speed regulation at the trot
• Straight halt
• More speed regulation at the trot
• Marching walk - straight

I was using cones to work on transitions.  Trot between and breath through halt.  Walk around the cone and pick up trot again.  We did a lot of circles and serpentines at the trot softening it.

I walked a lot, an awful lot.  Long diagonal walks, serpentine walks, cavalleti.  She was warm, not dripping sweat by any means.


Naughty!! Trotting down the long side she was blowing right through my hands.  I ride her in nothing more than a simple snaffle and I'm against "bitting up" to correct these power struggles so circles and circles and even more circles were ridden.  

Tomorrow I'm going to try a western "training" exercise.  While in forward movement I'm going to lay the outside rein against her neck (close the door), lift the inside rein to tip her nose inside and put my inside leg on.  It's a bending exercise that naturally controls the gait and puts some flex exercises in.

Naughty!!  She decided she was done, completely!  Say WHAT?  I say we trot! She says "Head toss, I'm big and scary. Hop up a bit."  "I say WE TROT NOW !!"  "oh OK you don't need kick so hard!"   Tomorrow I'm going be sure to have my dressage whip handy to keep the forward movement going.

We worked on roll back again.  Tonight I got three soft steps back in a row !!!  Huge pats and off I jumped.

I think today I expected too much and the more tired she got the worse it got.  She is very out of shape and these naughty behaviors didn't come out until after 20 minutes of good work but that's no excuse.

I'm going to set an alarm of 15 minutes on my cell phone.  That will be my "find a good note to stop on now" alert.

Everything she did tonight that was naughty is typical young horse stuff and I'm sure we'll work through it.

I took my time pampering her after I unsaddled her.  She ground tied for me very well while I brushed and put long braids in her mane.

Do any of you have suggestions for over coming the naughty behaviors?

Strangles Update and Ramblings

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, wishes and advice in my last post.  I am blessed with two very healthy and young mares.  I must admit I probably over vaccinate but my horses go lots of places, and being a boarding facility, lots of different horses come and go.  We've had a rash of Strangles all around us this year and I'm thankful I've vaccinated.  Speaking of... They both had their fall vaccines on Tuesday.

Rosie and Bonnie so far have not shown any signs of Strangles and neither has any other horse in the barn.   The infected horse is improving daily.

Now that it's late fall and I'm pretty much out of daylight when I get out of work my goals and sessions with my girls are changing and I've been doing some thinking of what I want to accomplish next spring/summer/fall with them.

I will be taking a riding break to let my body heal.  I've been riding (against orders) with the 3 lower disks in my back compressed and man let me tell you, I'd rather give birth again then have this pain.  I've promised myself only light riding on weekends weather permitting, no more slamming through two horses an evening 3 or 4 times a week.  Until next spring that is...

I want to get Bonnie's canter back to a canter.  She's doing a funky crooked almost gallop thing now.  I'll be using my surcingle and homemade balance rigging system.  I use polo wraps instead of ropes, and it looks fairly "redneck" but it works.  However I just checked Dover and they have their basic system on sale... hmm...

I want to get Rosie cantering...  As of today I can only get her into a canter down a very straight line (side of the hay field) and it takes an unbelievable amount of energy from me to make it happen.  If my surcingle fits her she may get some work with it too.

Bonnie and I will be working on desensitizing so she'll be an even better babysitter for my youngest son.  I'll also most likely be shopping for a smaller seated Western Pleasure saddle for both my son and myself to use.

My main focus with Rosie this winter is patience and respect.  She's made HUGE improvements since a year ago but still has a long way to go.   I'm also going to get the huge monster loving mare to put her head down and keep it there while I do what ever it is I need to do at the top of her head!   Even though everyone, including myself, chuckles at her picking me up off the ground with her head whenever she wants.  It's not good manners and I want it to stop.   I'm a whole whopping 5 foot tall !  She's 17 hands! I don't think I need to paint any different picture.

Now the end goal of all of this.  I've got the "Show Bug".  My entire childhood from age 8 to 18 was at a show every weekend.  After doing English Pleasure with Bonnie, and Dressage on Karaat, I'm ready to get back into competition.

While I can show Karaat anytime, and I'm extremely grateful to Jodi for letting me ride the big guy and all the lessons she gives me, I want to show my own horses.

I don't know, I just think there is something to be said for training and showing your own animals.  Bonnie has a great foundation of training and she will try her heart out for me.   Rosie ~ well all her training is of my doing.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  I'm going slow probably much slower then any real trainer, but I want confidence and intelligence from her.  Besides anyone can crank a head down and force a horse in frame.  It takes skill and hard work for a rider to put a horse into frame with their seat, hands, and legs without using the bit.

So if I get my way, and new tires for my trailer, next spring will see me back in the Dressage show ring with one or both of my mares.

But for now I'll leave you with a show picture.  I call it "Praying to the Diet Coke God":

Intro A and B Video

Intro A





Intro B





And for reference ~ First lesson on Karaat September 2010:

We Just Never Know Where Life Is Going To Take Us

Little did I know when I bought a trail horse, Bonnie, six years ago that I'd end up here...

Day after my first Dressage show and NO PICTURES OF ME!  No one took pictures with my camera, however there will be pictures AND video ~ eventually... I hope.  When I get them, ya'll will see them!

So I will describe my day as best I can...
Lack of sleep - nerves
Back hurting bad - took drugs that made nerves not care so much but didn't do much for the back

Got to Farm in time to watch Jodie finish a 70% Level 1 test on a 3 yr old she's training.  She got 1st.

Helped her get Karat ready for her 2nd level 1 and 2 tests.  I called her tests to her at warm up.

Watched Jodie ride a 60 % for 3rd place on 2nd level 1  and 68% for 1st place on 2nd level 2.   1st test she didn't hear her trainer call a 10 meter circle in the pattern she missed it.  Then she did something else incorrect, don't remember what though.

Then it was my turn to pull up my Big Girl Breeches and do something I've never done before ~ Compete in a Dressage Show.   A completely different riding discipline that I've struggled to learn.  But here goes nothing right??

Warm up I worked on those stupid Posting Diagonals, and getting a decent 20 meter circle.  I like to travel the rail for too many steps.

Intro A: Horses should be ridden in light but steady contact, with the exception of the free walk in which the horse is allowed complete freedom to lower and stretch out the head and neck.

One thing about Karaat as my video's show from my lesson back in September show he is NOT an easy horse to get into contact, let alone round.  I do both now easily!

My only "error" in Intro A was caused sheerly by a case of the nerves.  From "halt and salute" I did a working Trot to C, it was supposed to be a Medium walk.  GAH!  O'well only -2 for that, and the ONLY error I had.

The judges comments were of this nature:
"needs to be rounder and bent to the right"  and "Needs more impulsion, needs to be rounder".

Now believe me, in no way shape or form was Karaat anywhere near "not in contact"  he was round, into light contact.  I could have bent him but neither Jodie or I thought it was necessary to ride him at Level 1 in Intro classes.  Never at any point was his nose forward of vertical, nor was he strung out on the forehand...

Any rate, I scored all 7's and 6's on each part with an overall of 60%.

Remarks about me "Steady Ride!  You need more impulsion into contact and your horse will be more rounder (is that a word?) and have more bend in the circles and corners"

My remarks -> I was having issues keeping him forward but not horrible.  I wasn't exactly straight on center line.  I ALWAYS had correct Posting Diagonal.  My free walk was a bit "messy" he wasn't moving forward at all, I was hesitant to show him my crop because he IS a level 4 horse.  Walk to Canter transition is immediate for him.

Still the 2nd best ride I've ever had.. EVER !

My daughter and a photographer friend of hers shows up, and so do some very close family friends.  I'm so glad to see people I know to share this with!

Intro B - a bit more difficult.  More trotting, trotting diagonals, as well as a free walk on "two diagonals M-X-F" ( for my not so Dressage folks it's a wide V from left top corner "M" to middle "X" to bottom left corner "F")  This ride I felt was better and was grinning ear to ear as I rode it.

Again I was faulted on not enough contact *eye roll* again supposed to be light but steady contact.  Also apparently he was not "round enough" nor was he "Bent enough"

On one of the free walk between M-X-F he was stretched down really good, but I wasn't getting any response from a "test" leg squeeze as I approached F and was moving him into a "Medium Walk" (just a walk on contact).  I needed more forward so Karaat would come up into contact and not show his nose in the air and get all strung out.  So I  moved my outside leg back just behind the girth and gave him a squeeze and snapped my crop against my leg.  Well my Level 4 horse went into Canter.. because well I did ask for it LOL !  It was only 1 step though, and Judge called it a "Jig" *giggle*  After that though I had a forward horse.

Remarks about me -> "Steady Ride! Rider needs to push horse more forward into contact...  " ok so I get the point.. rounder, more implosion...

My Remarks -> DAMNED POSTING DIAGONAL !  Could have been straighter on center line.  Great Ride.. Best.. absolute BEST I've done to date...  Judges be damned!

I got all 7's and 6's with no errors - final score 58%

I was/am still emotional. This was a bucket list item for me.

So What's Next??

Well... Intro A and B with ROSIE of course!

Lesson Monday ~ Moved to Tuesday

Today made lesson 3 on Karaat.  If you remember the first lesson a month ago Jodie kicked my butt right into shape and I walked, albeit cowboy style, away with lots of new things to practice with my girls as well 'mind ride'.   Then my second lesson was a lunge line lesson working on balance and seat last week  

Today I learned all about Dressage terms and Patterns.  I learned both Intro A and B this evening.   Terms like "Track Left at C (or right)" and "Change Rein Working Trot M - K" were really confusing me.   I mean "change rein" ??  Reins are in two hands.. what's there to change!?

Well I learned soon enough - just go on the diagonal.

I did EXTREMELY well with Karaat tonight.  We were round, oh about 98% of the time.  I had issues keeping him forward so a crop held in my hand changed that attitude immediately.

First time I've ever done a REAL 20 meter circle and what that really is.  I have to remember to push Karaat out into the circle with the inside leg and one step on the rail at B and E.

I also took 5 minutes and did walk / trot transitions getting that darn posting thing down right.  Karaat takes such a HUGE stride when he picks up trot that he always knocks me off balance.  You have to be "rising" when you ask for the trot to get the diagonal right immediately.  

Jodie had to remind me to always Trot/Walk/Halt transition, don't Trot/halt transition in this test because it's more advanced. Also she had to warn me to NOT SIT THE TROT AT ALL ~ again that's considered more advanced and I will get lots of points taken away.   Oh.. don't hind or should yield on the diagonals...  *eye roll*

Beyond that I'm glowing as I did far less fighting him into contact, and a lot more riding my ride.  It felt really REALLY REALLY good.. no, wait... GREAT !

I WILL BE SHOWING SUNDAY !!!

Lesson Monday ~ Karaat again

If you remember my last post about riding Karaat   I was doing fairly well toward the end but hands were still a bit messy and LOTS of room for improvement.

I asked Jodie for another lesson and she is always happy to give me one.   This time no pictures as husband had some piano lessons to give and couldn't come with.

Jodie started me out on lunge line without reins, and Karaat in side reins.  I controlled his gait's, speed and contact, and Jodie just kept him from taking off out the door.

We started with some stretching exercises for me; arm windmills, bicycle legs, crunches (yes in the saddle), shoulder stretches (right hand to my left toe/left hand to my right toe) etc.

At the walk we worked my loosing my hips, calves on but relaxed and fluid ankles by sitting deep and on my back pockets, then standing up in the stirrups body just a bit over Karaat's withers.  When I sat back down in the saddle he immediately went round and through.

Jodie then had me move him up into a nice working trot, me rising.  Eye opening not having reins... but more on that later.  We worked on me always picking up the correct diagonal, or immediately recognizing it's incorrect.  Remember I rode Western Pleasure for 10 years and never ever once posted until about 5 years ago.  It does NOT come natural at all.  With-in 5 minutes I had it figured out.. at least I hope so.

What we worked on at the rising trot was controlling my posting, landing lightly and in the middle of the saddle.  This is NOT easy at all.  However, I love Karaat he's extremely forgiving while you figure it out and rewarding when you do.  I was able to consistently get  Karaat round, supple and through.  It's a great to feel that back come up under you and your mount reaching under.  Jodie said I had a HUGE grin, I have to admit I was smiling huge having a blast!

Sitting trot was interesting...  This is where I had a huge revelation about my hands and reins that I never realized until the reins were taken away.  For the most part my hands are steady and not yanking or busy, until I get tired, then they get a mind of their own and start rising.. straight up instead of low and inline with the horses mouth.  Then if I loose my balance I'm bracing against the horses head...   BAD BAD habits!   So because of this I did not canter him and I won't until I stop bracing when I loose my balance.

There will be more no contact or limited contact riding in my immediate future.

We ended the lesson going for a walk around the farm's property and with Jodie giving me permission to RIDE Karaat AT A SHOW for my Intro A and B tests later this month!

Breathless Smiles and Exclamations of WOW !

Words can not explain what my ride was like on Karaat.  Even at it's worst (and starting out it was bad) it was great!

I was really struggling at first as this video shows.  You will also see my diagonal is wrong more times then right.  I can not feel it on Karaat at all, and posting is not second nature to me...




I picked Karaat to ride because when you, the rider, get it right he rewards you immensely.  When you, the rider, get it wrong he will kick your ass until you get it right... and when you're right... there is that whole reward thing that makes the smile huge, the heart and soul sing,  laughter bubbling up and becoming tears...



Because YOU CAN DO THIS... You ARE DOING THIS !!!

Ok.. Rosie is a HUGE horse... Karaat is taller, over 17 hands.  He rides BIGGER for lack of better description then Rosie.  He has suspension and really huge ground covering strides...

I was very proud of myself that I was able to get him round... It wasn't an immediate thing, it took work, LOTS of work...

I worked on posting and getting him forward with my legs, using my seat to push him through and round...

You can really tell when I get tired but I'm not a quitter so on I went until I couldn't go anymore.  You can hear Jodie talking.. I LOVE HER!  Always positive with her remarks and direction.  You'll hear her saying "There! Do you feel that?!"  That's because I ride by feel.  If I can feel the "right" I take note of exactly where all my limbs are, what I'm doing.  Then do it again until I feel the "right".



 I'm very happy with my hands, Jodie even commented how much better they are.  They are now 99% of the time moving with my body, not fighting me or out of control.  You can see where I loose my balance ... it's when my hands go wild!

Decisions Decisions

Since the first day I brought Rosie home, the very first lunge, the very first time watching her truly move at a working trot, extended trot, her finished rocking chair canter... I've been playing around with the idea of competing again.

I have not been in a show ring since I was 17 yrs old.. umm.. something like 20+ years.  I've NEVER competed in Dressage.  I was a Western Pleasure and Horsemanship kinda girl.

I was still kinda on the fence about it until my ride on Rosie this past weekend.  As soon as all my pieces fit, she went naturally round, and the more I sat back on my seat bones the more forward she went.  Tighten my core and seat muscles and she stops.  Light squeeze of the legs she moves forward, turn my body the direction I want to to turn and she turns.  No fighting, no arguing, no talking back like Bonnie gives me. 

So... this evening I've decided that I am going to compete again.  This time in Dressage.  I've got a long way to go, but I'm going to pick a show in late fall that has level 1 walk/trot and start with that. 

Wish Us Luck !!!!!

Off To The Show

The weekend I was on vacation Jodie took Rosie and Bonnie to their very first show.  Bonnie was competing in Dressage and Eventing and Rosie was there for "socialization" and dressage schooling.  I think the pictures tell the story so here you go:

Bonnie says "PINK??? and what's up with the Moon and Stars?"

Can I go yet?

I think I can... I think I can...  WAIT !!!  No I Can't !

Ok -- Yes I can:

Ohh This is fun!

Where's the next one?

And Miss Rosie on the flat

Walk:

Trot:

And Canter:

Jodie makes it look so easy doesn't she.

No ribbons were won - but all had a blast.  Rosie did so well she will be entered into beginning level walk / trot Dressage classes at the next show.  I may even compete again after 20 years so stay tuned!