During the Progression

These last few rides have continued to focus on the same exercise as an organizing point for Leila and me, but for slightly different reasons. I’m working on developing my half halt, and discovering the weak points in my position that are keeping me from using a half halt to begin with. Leila is getting … Continue reading →

Plan for 6-26-13

Today I want to over exaggerate the turning of my hips. I should lead all changes in bend with the hips. Lauren did a really good job of that in the 4349 video. I also want to slow down my lower back in the canter, by giving my lower body more to do. For example: … Continue reading →

Flat Work 6-20-13

Today I read in Andrew McLean’s book that if the horse raises its head out of tension, that I should slow the feet down. And if they lower their head too much, I should press on with my legs. So I tried it and it worked. Our ride became a very quiet place where I … Continue reading →

She’s Checking her Voicemail!

Apparently, Leila checked her messages last night. Today I went into the ride thinking about half-halts and releases. We started right off at the walk – I wasn’t going to accept the wrong answer. No punishment, just repeated my request. The tart rounded, she bent, and then stuck her nose in the air for an … Continue reading →

Put the Aid Away

So I didn’t get the round, fluid, movement that I had been expecting. (There is a problem when you select still photos to examine – you begin to think that the entire ride looked that way.) Therefore I had the opportunity to really focus on: Weight in my big toe Rolling in my ankles/calves Being … Continue reading →

Plan for 6-5-13

Today I am going to build off what I saw in the pictures. Shorten my reins. Use glutes on both sides at the same time. Pull my head back over my spine. I plan to accomplish: Longer leg with flexed heel. Seat in the center of the saddle, not at the back. Flatter shoulders. Continue reading →

Pictures!

In these 3 pictures I am using my abs and inner thighs. I am also not keeping my hip underneath my shoulder, and am twisting at the waist. Here I’m beginning to use the gluteus muscles. My leg is still toed in a little. In these I am pivoting off my toe instead of flexing … Continue reading →

6-1-13

Wow, I can really see the effect of shortening my reins on my position, even just warming up at the walk. Now it’s a picture I want to look at, instead of one I just want to fix. I look at that section of video and think, ” I want to ride like that person. … Continue reading →

Watching the Video 5-30-13

I see the early circles and notice the changes in the quality of the walk. What is causing that? Insufficient outside leg? Reins too long to communicate in a timely manner? Insufficient range of motion in my shoulders? Take back more, give more? Watch for later when I flexed Leila to the inside. At the … Continue reading →

Different Dialect, part 2

This ride was the first time I felt as if I had the beginnings of the tools to communicate with Leila. I was getting correct responses from her, without having someone coaching me. She would become round and light IF three things were in place: I used my legs by using my gluteus muscles. I … Continue reading →