Delays and sidelines
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| Dream-canter |
- Delays. Ri had an abscess back in December that put him out of commission most of the month. Now, in March, he has had "drive-by" abscess in his hind hoof -- it happened fast and he's recovering fast, and I expect he'll be back in business very soon.
- Moves. The boys have moved yet again, this time each horse has gone to a different barn. This was necessary to accommodate their differing needs. Ri is now boarded with the trainer I worked with in 2011-2012. Harv is at a nice barn located about seven minutes from my house (and about a block from Bob's and my favorite diner). While I'd rather have them at the same barn, ultimately it's about what is best for them. I've worked out a very good route that will make it fairly convenient to go from work to Ri to Harv, to the grocery (if needed), and then home. Both boys have settled in nicely.
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Are you getting canter boot camp, too?
ReplyDeleteI expect a horse to have a better, lighter, more uphill canter with a pro - that's why they're someone you're willing to pay money to, and if they don't make the horse go better than you can, why would you pay them to ride? :) I also believe that horses don't have goals and motivation to move up the levels and we don't "owe it to them" to have someone else better/stronger/more tactful/more assertive/whatever we are missing in our riding so they can progress faster.
However, this is clearly something you're concerned about, so kudos to you that you're taking steps to work on it! But are you working on YOU? I had the lucky opportunity to ride a mare who is a great schoolmaster for learning what to do with my seat to help my horse. If you don't use your seat properly, she stops. Period. If you don't give with your hands, she leans and pulls. It's very interesting, as I got her forward and light after a few rides, but she taught me a LOT. In some ways she was frustrating, but in some ways she showed me what to do more effectively and correctly than any words from an instructor could have done.
In return, it is having a huge positive affect on my work with my horse.
Anyway, I hope you get the chance to ride one of those schoolmasters for your sake, because boy is that level of learning FUN!
My mare and I need to join you at Canter Bootcamp 2013!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I move her to a place where we actually have an ARENA to ride in, I'm starting too!
Gatsby the horse i ride and me are in the process of having a canter boot camp at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI'm in canter bootcamp myself with my coming 6 year old. Eragon has a huge stride and almost overtracks at the canter (hind leg goes past the girth! FEI level trainer commented she'd hardly ever seen a horse do that!) but he has trouble staying "up" on his long legs, and tends to get really big and long. He also switches his leads (cleanly) if you get crooked in the saddle, so keeping him on one lead can be a challenge around curves.
ReplyDeleteI'm interesting to see what your bootcamp looks like. Mine is involving small jumps on curves (to get that "jump" in the canter--Ingrid Klimke suggests these--something to try with Riley, maybe?) Double-lunging @ the canter and, when the weather breaks, gallop sets in an open field to get his stamina up.
Can't wait for this series. Riley training posts are my faves.
Another move? Well with the grocery store close at hand, you can make the most important stop of all....to buy carrots!!! Again, looking forward to reading of your progress.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting back to riding (still no decent saddle but I'm "making the best of it") and had an excellent lesson Sunday. "Huey" got to do some canter, which he likes (and I've warmed him up with "walk on the buckle for 10 minutes, then canter" often enough that he gets bothered if we don't canter "in order"), and I worked on precision of circle size with change of bend at the walk and trot. Baby stuff but we've been off for awhile and it's good to build slowly. Good luck with Canter Boot Camp--looking forward to reading about it.
ReplyDeleteUgh, delays and sidelines! The "snowquester" is moving into the DC/NoVA area tonight- just as I was getting somewhere in getting my horse soft and carrying herself at the canter.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to join the Canter Bootcamp too! (Much easier to participate in for a lady like me than the infamous "Movember.")
-Haley