With just one month under saddle, Riley participated in his first clinic, with Felicitas Von Neumann (my trainer riding). I was so excited to see Riley go I barely listened to the clinician. Thank goodness for that videotape! You'll have to forgive a few glitches, we're learning the new camcorder.
I'm so pleased with Riley's progress and with my trainer's sensible, positive approach to bringing him along. Felicitas gives great advice, and she spoke on one of the common problems starting babies -- steering! The video is below, and for those of you who can't view Youtube here is the Vimeo version.
Off camera Felicitas told me that one of the challenges to training horses is to create the "reward" -- you can't really offer treats in a meaningful way. She believes that horses truly enjoy being energetic, balanced, and tension-free and that when we create a situation when they can move in this way it serves as its own reward. She said she tries to establish the aids as AIDS -- something to help, that the horse appreciates, and not tools for control or punishment. She said if used correctly even the whip can be a positive aid to the horse. She's a fantastic clinician. While her fees are above the norm for this area, I felt she delivered the goods.
.jpg)
I must admit, I had tears in my eyes watching Riley--not so much because of his beauty....but simply because he was so sound and working so obediently. What a lovely attitude, but the mere fact that he's working again is so wonderful!! You are right as well, it was an excellent lesson and Riley was a star.
ReplyDeleteHe is one special boy and he is so lucky to have such a committed and dedicated owner. This fabulous!!
Besides being pretty, he just has such a pleasant way of going I feel the tension draining from me as I watch. As the owner of an OTTB who tends toward tense more than relaxed, Riley just makes me smile... and a tad bit jealous. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful chestnut Riley. He really floats and his canter was so relaxed.
ReplyDeleteDo you get to ride him too?
WOW!! He looks amazing! I can't believe he's come along so well and this is the first we're hearing of it ;)
ReplyDeleteHe is looking just gorgeous. No more hunter boy, he is all dressage now.
Thanks for sharing the video! I love the philosophy of asking for the turn or canter when a young horse is relaxed and allowing them to stretch into it. I looked at her website, I wish her clinic schedule was posted online, but there's probably not much chance of her making it all the way out to Oregon!
ReplyDeleteHooray for Riley! I'm SO glad to see your [other] man is back on his feet again :o)
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post way back when on "Pavlov-ing your Ponies" for the very reason your trainer mentioned: sometimes you just can't treat. I decided to try an experiment on the girls: Lavish vocal praise paired with treats and/or those happy scratches that generate equine ecstasy (you know, the ones that pooch that upper lip?) Done consistently, it creates an association with "happy" over time. I can now pretty much elicit the same muzzle response vocally (even from a distance). Gotta admit, it was a pretty cool thing to discover. Might have to do a follow up on it soon. Anyway, that's just my thought on rewarding...
I always watch the tail at the trot to see the lovely S-shape it makes when things are moving well - as Riley's was! Great first clinic.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to hear the clinician's directions - exact same thing I was instructed to do with our QH when he was a baby. It worked really well for him.
I've been kind of a lurker on your blog for a while now. I love it and it has also been part of my inspiration for starting up Dressage lessons recently. Regardless, Riley looks stunning, what a beautiful boy!! I can't wait to read/see more of his progress. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteHe looks beautiful! You must be so happy!!
ReplyDeleteWe are all proud cyber aunties here. What is so lovely is that he is starting to look like a real dressage horse. I love the sound of his foot falls. They sound like a real dressage horse, also.
ReplyDeleteJust watching the video, he truly is the horse I've dreamed of. I love his softness and concentration, the cadence/rhythm, enuf suspension without being too big for me.
ReplyDeleteI just made an appt with my vet who sells Progressive feeds to come and re-evaluate him/his feeding program. He is low energy and I think it's time to switch up to a non-rehab kind of feeding...
What I see in this video is a happy horse. Like you said, he's got great rhythm and softness and he looks focused on his job! You've got a wonderful horse in him.
ReplyDeleteAhhh Felicitas clinics at a barn I used to ride at in GA! Looking good!!!
ReplyDelete