Winter riding

Well it's nearly the shortest day and I'm sitting here at work typing this (ssshhh don't tell my boss LOL) in a sleeveless top and no shoes. Hahaha.

Yesterday we headed out - me and the two big boys, to Waimarie. It's a 20 minute drive away, and an arena and stables based at a vineyard (Nobilos for those of you who know NZ wines). They were taking some of the vine covers off (they are white) but my horses were not too phased.

It's nice going there - albeit an effort to get ready, pack up the float, load the boys etc, but it's nice because I can use their yards which look out over the arena and the horse I am not working with can still see us - or eat hay - or look at the other horses (in Garbo's case) - they were mares!

I started on the ground with Garbo - he was a little alert but he was pretty good at listening to me so I hopped on. We went straight into follow the rail - Game of Contact - yay I remembered to follow the rail.

He started to get it quite well by the end of the session - I suppose we did about 15 minutes, Linda said to pepper it in so they don't feel too pressured.

Michelle told me that I stiffen up my lower body and shoulders when I pick up the contact so I had to really think about still moving my lower body with the horse once I was taking contact. As well as everything else lol.

Funnily enough - I ended up with a sore back, lower back. Linda said on the course that where ever you end up sore, is where you are stiff and holding. aha.

These pictures are not perfect but the thing I like is that his ears are forward, he has a happy expression on his face. We both really enjoyed it! I went right round the outside of the arena and even though there were sheep and horses and vine covers - Garbo would sometimes look up - and I would ask him to think about something else, and he would forget about what he was distracted about - which was awesome.

Then I watched Michelle ride her young 4y/o Flipper, he's a double Warmblood so very LBI - and very very gorgeous.

I then got Maraschino and he was on tip toes snorting as we went down to the arena - happy to stay he stops now rather than runs.... so the grass was definitely the Extroversion I was noticing. He had never been in this arena before so it was ll new - all sorts of things in there, plus surrounded by sheep and horses and bushes, sprinklers etc.

He did really well considering he was by himself. He didn't call out and  after some circle we did alot of touch it and that really calmed him down and he relaxed on the travelling circle which was a first....

 

 

Then off we went home again - it was dark by the time I unloaded them and washed the float out, but it's great getting out and riding in winter. Yay for arenas. Just wish it was a tad closer! Never mind - good travelling practise.

First ridden session Game of Contact

I headed off about 3 o'clock with both the boys - I feel it's good practice for Maraschino to go everywhere with us. And he's so adorable to load.

This was them on the way!

Maraschino was very OMG when we arrived - seeing all the horses there just over the fence, but Michelle went and got her horse and put him an a yard, and we put Maraschino in the next one - they could both see the arena from there so that was kinda nice. It didn't take him long to settle in with his new friend - they were very well behaved. Garbo on the other hand saw Flipper as a threat the the herd and started rearing in his yard (he was on the other side of Maraschino). Goodness me - he's such a blimmen stallion sometimes. Drama Queen as I kindly refer to him.

So after a "hello" to Flipper as we passed by, Garbo and I headed to the arena.

Those of you that know me, know I am the first to show everyone my mistakes... and my befores!
Today is going to be no exception.

First though - a peekaboo into Garbo's float ride there.... courtesy of my float cam.



So first we did some online. After reading my Match report again today - it said so use really soft little phase one and strong playful phase 4.... so I did that for the circle send and got a very good result. Pleased about that. Also had a check of sideways, and did lots of transitions - preparing for the re-filimg of my L3. I scored Level 3, 3+ on alot of the last one but sideways and canter circle and transitions 2++. Found out later his hip was out and felt bad, but have not got round to re-doing it!!  Going to before I got to Pagosa - OK everyone. There - it's out there.

Bridle on - he sought the bit - yay. On I jump and everything position wise went out the window - didn't realise my feet are so far forward, forgot to to pull my abs, tuck pelvis AND ribs.... remembered armpits and resting hands most of time. Forgot to follow the rail. Oh MY!!

Ok - so here is my bad banana.

Session 1 - Bad banana, crappy elbows, reins too long

At one point I got off because Garbo was getting emotionally distracted with a horse getting off a truck... and my rule is...get off if I get nervous... I took this chance to do the Bit Simulation on the ground because I hadn't done it yet today (thanks for reminding me Michelle). Boy did I get some yawning.

Then I got back on and did a bit more and my list of things I forgot gets bigger the more I look at these, but the end result was a nice stretch (Stage 2) so quite pleased.

Oh my goodness... did my body position go to the pot or what??!

11 oclock, 1 oclock

Nice neck stretch, with sliding reins

Day 4!!! Bit Simulation

Well Day 4 was pretty good, I noticed Garbo was pretty interested in me today. And he seemed calm and trusting about what I was doing. I was pretty happy.




If it doesn't rain tomorrow I am taking both the boys to Waimarie - they have an arena there so I'll be able to hop on and see of badly the reins mean stop of slow. I'll also do some L3 Online filming practise.

With Mr M - after watch the March Savvy Club DVD - I know - I am a bit behind, Linda was testing the 7 games with Hot Jazz, I decided to do the same with Maraschino - he reminds me so much of Maraschino (Hot Jazz) who is an RBI - so I am wondering now if the Horsenality report was biased from his grass toxin symptoms - they had most likely been building up over the months of Autumn. Anyway - play with the horse that shows up right?!

Here's us then isolating sideways... it was a squeeze as well as you can see.... sideways between the poles. He did a lovely one just before this video...and as you can see my left hand wasn't as good as my right.



Then I backed Garbo into his yard... think he's quite enjoying all this...

Bit Simulation Day 3 - in the wind and wet

This is Maraschino trying to get my attention.... it's been really windy last couple of days

Can you see Coco's ears?? Cutie.

OK - so the rain stopped long enough for me to do Day 3 of the Bit Simulation....

Now I just need to get one of my barrels up to the wash bay in the dry for the next simulation. Ps he was trying to get out the little gate to the long grass initially... lol

Day 2 Bit Simulation

Wow - is all I can say....
See the difference for yourself....



Of course Linda was right - I know that and have COMPLETE faith.... just wasn't sure I took enough notes and released at the right times yesterday - but think I did.... based on today.... what do you think?

Bit Simulation Day 1

So last night we did Day 1 of Bit Simulation.

I have sped up the "drama" parts - it really was quite funny.... 45 minutes, I videoed the beginning session, some of the middle, and the end session.... I hope you can see;

• the improvement
• the fact he wasn't stressed 
• he just doesn't understand contact or what he is supposed to do

Sorry the video is still 7 minutes long but I've added some music.