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| My trainer, Riley, Feb 19 |
Midway through our lesson, we were coming around the short side of the ring, and Ri (who had actually seemed pokey that morning) was losing energy. I whacked him smartly with the whip, which is normally no big deal.
His reaction took me by surprise -- he bucked and took off at a hand gallop. I sat up and pulled back, first with my fingers and then with my elbows. I had zero control-- we weren't careening, he wasn't wild-eyed, it wasn't quite a "bolt." I feel Ri was making a point in the only way he knew how -- Lose the whip, you lulu. We went down the long side and around the corner.
Now I tuned into my trainer, who never lost her upbeat, encouraging tone even as we galloped around. I think she saw what I was now starting to feel, which was that Riley settling, and that for once, he was offering me a balanced left lead canter. Her words:
"You got your forward -- now ride it like you want it!"
I closed my fingers on the reins and touched his belly with my ankles, and Ri-Ri shifted his weight back -- he was still pissed off but now he was nicely forward, cantering straight, and listening. We made a couple more laps of the ring (first time I'd held a canter more than one lap!). The rest of the ride went really well, with Riley nicely between my leg and hand.
I rode almost 50 minutes and then Olivia got on. Here is footage from her ride. He was a little tired, I think...
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Looking good! I'm surprised it's as quiet in the indoor as it is--some ambient noise in the background but not as loud as that wind could have sounded.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept,"You got your forward--now ride like you want it!" Apparently all you need is to make Riley mad and he'll work? *just kidding* But good way to ride the moment and use that energy for good purpose.
Love the comment and the concept!
ReplyDeleteLookin' good!
Riley has a sick trot! That is amazing :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm, love that trot!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Riley, she's gonna make you work, one way or another!
I think this is the best he's looked yet, Stacey. He's really a gorgeous boy, and you can see how hard he's concentrating and how much he's carrying himself. Oh, and I adore the salmon saddle pad on his big chestnut back. I may have to run right out and get one for my goofy chestnut horse boyfriend. :-)
ReplyDeleteHe is coming along so nicely!!!!
ReplyDeleteWay to ride the wave! I agree that he looks a little tired, but they will not get stronger unless you push them just a little further. Nice footage.
ReplyDeletelovely video and enjoyed the 'backstory' this often happens to us, i nearly have to get to the point of going 'argh sod you horse' and then we're working LOL! he knows when i really mean it :-)
ReplyDeleteAmazing how he is looking so much more like a dress-saj horse all the time. Once when I was riding my spooky Arabian, a bicyclist went down our road, something that never happens. I managed to catch the spooky, bolting energy and turn it into a lovely uphill canter.
ReplyDeleteI know I have probably said this a couple times, but to me, Riley is just completely STUNNING. Love him, he's a lovely horse. And I love that color saddle pad on him!
ReplyDeleteHe is looking so lovely, Stacey! Beautiful reach...and you can see he is concentrating:) Sounds like your ride was one for the journal...and one to remember:)
ReplyDelete