Canter one rein

I took Garbo to Jool's today - determined to use some of the great weather we have been having.
I forgot my carrot stick and savvy string so all I had was my lead rope and halter.
So I had no phase three....

So you know what we did - I rode with just the lead rope - not joined up to the halter at the other end so just one rein. And we cantered! I could flick the end of it you see.
I know you were originally supposed to do this at Level 1 - I think - but I never did... gosh it hasn't been long since I was cantering with no contact (loose reins)  - so this was a major breakthrough for me. We managed to stay on the rail too. I am starting to get the hang of using my legs a bit more for direction.

When we arrived Garbo wasn't in a hurry to get off the float which was nice - I don't rush him - I just stand away and let him take his time. It was probably 2 minutes before he got off.

Story in pictures...

Looking at our float through the trees...

Saying hi to everyone around the arena first...

Whats this I wonder...

Out we head on board, from the indoor arena

Now in the grass arena we have some spectators... probably wondering why they can't go and eat the grass in there!

 After a good ride...

 Back home - my cat helping study

Bareback Walk

Another lovely sunny warm day today - so even though I spent all weekend washing and detailing my float, as it's for sale, I took Garbo out to Woodhill Sands again... it's a 5 min trailer ride away so really a fantastic place to ride... a natural sand area so the footing is better than any man made arena. Up until recently I have not wanted to ride there as it was not enclosed enough for me, but now I feel ready and today went really well.

Loading at both ends was fantastic... as was the unloading - 6/10 for both!

The walk from the float to the arena takes about 4 minutes I suppose so I have been driving from zone 5 during this time and making sure I am more particular and not letting him wander off to visit the horses or collect horse email... I think this will ultimately help with my leadership from the saddle too. So today I managed to get him to move back onto the track sideways from Zone 5 which was pretty cool.

Garbo - this bareback pad really doesn't suit me!

We didn't do alot on the ground, I could see he was relaxed and happy, head down, so I got on bareback (with bareback pad) and we walked all over the place - I kept my carrot stick with me this time. I think Garbo was actually ready to go exploring so we'll do that on Friday. We also did some nice sideways while walking forward too. I added in some transitions and we backed up into the Start Box just for a laugh.

After I got off, Bronwyn and Critey left to go wash her tail, and it was a good test for my leadership - because suddenly Garbo was 'without' horse backup. It took a strong send on a circle to get his focus back on me and we got some lovely canter - I was careful to stop after half a lap, and we worked on him arching in and not out - with me wiggling the rope each time he looks out.

Then we walked 'away' from Critey in the opposite direction and practised our sideways along a fence at the end of the 22ft. It's improving and I think Garbo is finding it easier now his hip is not sore.

This is Critey....

Then I drove hi, all the way back to the float from Zone 5, and all I can say is that he (and I) were so relaxed for the whole trip - it was just awesome. This being a place where he has been one super stressed horse in the past. A place with lots of scary spooky things going on. But not today. He was calm, sensible and listening to me. Wow. 3 years work has paid off. Of course we are not yet cantering here (that's my goal), and then of course to add other strange horses.... (one step at a time) and then to do that while a competition is on....

We came home and Maraschino had not moved a foot from where I left him - he had found a stalky weed we had pulled from the garden a week ago - so it was all woody - he's teething at the moment.... I threw it over the fence for him and he started chewing it as I loaded Garbo - he didn't even look up as we drove off. When I returned he didn't really look up - and didn't call out - he had about a foot left of the stalky trunk - he had spent two hours munching away... I'll have to find some more of those! It's was his birthday today!! (4)

Russell Lessons

Well I had 2 lessons with Russell today.

First at 8.30am with Maraschino at home. We started with seeing how he was upping the energy with the rope tossing over his neck and back...he was ok and then Russell stepped in, to show me how to not get the slap with the end of the rope each time and his energy must have been way more than mine because Maraschino took off backwards at quite a rate. Russell kept on tossing that rope until he calmed, licked and chewed of course then came over to me for a hug. lol.

I did some more and on the other side which was harder. He said I should increase this until you can do it so that the rope and popper make a cracking noise on the ground before the next throw. Also alternating - three on the back, three round the front legs and three round the back. That way they don't have time to get too worried about each thing....

Jane - Maraschino (while Russell and I were talking next to the tire) offered to stand on it - he put one foot up a couple of times and looked at us as if to say "Shall I?"

Then we did the same thing - rope tossing but with him going on a circle and not stopping - so that they get used to extreme friendly while moving (raincoats while riding etc). He did that pretty well.

Russell then asked how he was at walking forwards with his head down - perfect he was... Russell said "ok no need to go over that".... :-). The reason we are getting so vigorous with the rope over his back is that he said one day that will be me going over his back so I need to be sure he will be fine. And to do it with plastic bags on the end of the carrot stick etc as well.

Then we did walking forward moving the HQ, backing up, then moving the FQ (all in same direction, then starting over (meanwhile I walk in straight line even while backing). He said it gets them to put their weight back.

Then we did lateral flexion - and then lateral flexion to a stop while walking in Zone 3.. ok - me walking in Zone 3, Maraschino walking forwards, me approach his HQ and rub on his back and ask for lateral flexion at the same time, to a halt. This gets them used to stopping while being ridden etc. Very cool. Russell noted he didn't really have any opposition reflexes or braces with any of that...

So all looking good so far with Mr Maraschino.

Then I took Garbo to Jool's as we were sharing a lesson there with Leigh Munro. Man I am a bit sore in the legs today after being on Garbo for over 2 hours I think....!!

Well we did Counter turns today with one rein riding!

It's all about only having one rein and not swapping sides to turn the opposite way to the side the rope is on. The aids to turn therefore are, eyes, hips bellybutton, leg, REIN, then back up with carrot stick.

BOY - This really made me realise I am doing Rein first for the turn and not eyes, then body, then leg (outside), then rein. We practised at walk doing weave for what seems like an eternity - Garbo was just starting to get it then we changed to Figure 8 (because Russell said they get used to the pattern)... blah... all out the window again.

I am going to really really concentrate on this just at walk for some time till it is indelible in my mind. What you do for rein is lift till you feel the snap (up) and then lean it on the neck - but don't cross over the mane.

We tried a bit of figure 8 doing the same thing but at trot... Garbo is still a bit stiff.... then back on the rail for a bit more....

Then we finished up with sideways (how to improve and refine it (don't lean)..so that they can bend their ribcage the correct way...

What else....backing up then turning the FQ, we did that on the ground too.....

I think that was it!

Phew.