Silversand Sept Clinic

[beksnjake]

Totally fab time had by all - so much to digest and process - lots to work on. Main thing for me was that I have realised that I have changed, really changed how I work with Jake and it is really paying off. He can be soft - I don't need to carry him and he can do some wicked backing up and turns on the haunches!!

Will put some more thoughts - up when I have had time to think abit more - if that makes sense (am very tired and in need of hot bath and food!!)

[kas]

Steve said I did "a good job". That's it, I can sleep easy.

[unicorn]

I rode my pony! On a clinic!!

Only a little bit, but still

[redhorseracinguk]

Awww, that's BRILLIANT guys xxxxxxx

[nicxf]

ooo, I want to hear more! From all of you!

...but I s'pect we'll have to let you all recover and gather your thoughts first. ;D

really chuffed to hear that Small was up for a bit of playing though - that's excellent news.

[breakfast]

[nicxf]

ooo...moar pictures, moar!

[el]

You were all legends!!!!!!!!!!!! Here is my short condensed report of some of the things folks were working on:

KENT REPORT SEPT 2010



· Groundwork - Walk with your horse, slow and fast. If your horse is leaving they will be difficult to slow down. Stop inside front foot and then horse should do a light HQ yield without shoulder falling in.

· When using the rein on ground or in saddle, don’t go straight from a loose rein to a jab on the bit. Instead use loose rein, then take the slack out of the rein and feel for the bit, then more the bit gradually. No quick jabs.

· When backing up, keep at it until there is no leaning from the horse, then release.

· Groundwork - Walk slow, walk fast, then keep walking fast and put in a bend. Tricky part here is not to slow down the walk when you do this.

· Be particular and totally specific. For example, Camilla’s horse who was a bit up on his toes felt much better when allowed to move his feet and they were directed specifically for him. You have to be able to analyse what’s going on with your horse and help them out. Often this involves getting very particular about where each foot goes.

· Groundwork - If horse runs away in walk, instead of pulling on them, what you can do is wave a stick and bag in front of them and get a few steps of backup, then halt. Then start again.

· Groundwork - Move shoulders out on a circle. Also ask inside foot to come in without disengaging the hindquarters (can do online), move FQ out a step, then in a step.

· When doing lateral moves, sit on the horse’s leg you don’t want to move.

· Groundwork - If on circle horse is drifting out, instead if just turning him in with rein, move the HQs out. Then walk on. If horse is pushing forwards, work on the indirect rein a lot.

· Riding - To do a FQ yield, rope, hand and elbow to be in a straight line. Then move all back to your opposite hip for FQ yield.

· Reins should be in time with horses feet when you are cueing them to do something.

· When inside front hits the ground, ask for HQ yield.

· Be really particular about how many steps you want, and what type of steps they are to be.

· Don’t be quiet all of the time, it won’t make your horse brave.

· Do not PULL! Ask, then push.

· Can you move just one foot/leg forwards?

· Circle in walk when riding. Horse to keep head to inside by himself. As you circle, take rein quickly then release. Horse not to lean on your hands. Also keep forwards and don’t fall in.

· Walk straight. Look left and your body should turn left a little as well. Horse should also look then go left. If not, pick up one rein and ask him to go left. Repeat till you can steer horse by changing where you are looking.

· If horse running away in walk, you can also ask them to look inwards (quick take and release of rein) until they focus and slow down.

· Slow the feet. Walk to halt, ask at the right moment.

· Halt, soft feel, think of going backwards (not an actual step at the start), release.

· BE PARTICULAR.

· When Steve’s legs swing, horse goes faster. When they slow, horse slows.

· Do a tear drop circle. Nice bend on circle, then at one stage use direct rein to ask front leg to step across.

· Lateral flexion is a big deal, it’s a very submissive thing. Release when ears are level.

· 10 lateral flexions without changing horses balance. Hard to do.

· Circle. Nose in, shoulder not falling in, HQs out. Release. Then HQ yield and walk through centre of circle.

· Shoulder in – three tracks in groundwork and riding.

· Soft feel – do a few laterals at halt then horse may offer soft feel, release.

· Circle with nose on inside. Ask for HQ yield using inside rein to your outside shoulder and inside leg if needed. Do not fall in. Then release when HQ moves. So you end up doing funny figure of eight. Do it all in walk, no stops in it.

· Backup, ask nicely (heels forward and down, shoulders up and back, light rein) if no mvt do not increase rein pressure, instead twirl rope at shoulders or similar. Don’t pull on reins to get backwards.

· Don’t let horse lean on you.

· Walk, HQ yield, FQ yield, walk.

· Backup in circle. Head stays on outside. Outside front leg steps out, inside back leg steps in. Steve has done 1000’s of these. Horse should feel like he wants to spin. Release only when soft. Then FQ yield.

· Horse NOT to lean on the bit.

· Sideways – outside heel under ribs to left them up, hands up to lift shoulders up as well.

· Roping. Big loop. Swing it higher than what you’re roping. Honda to be 1/3 way down.

· The horse is NEVER to take over control (of speed, direction, etc).

· 10/9/8/ etc steps forwards then backwards. Get softness first.

· Backup – if horse goes too fast evading, either go faster or put them into a backwards circle till they relax.

· Ask nicely, and then give your horse a chance to figure it out and do it. Wait for it to happen, don’t force it (Camilla’s horse).

· First place to practise soft feel is at halt, without any transitions.

· Have herd in centre of paddock. If your horse wants to be there also, let him choose direction he travels in, but when near herd make him trot fast / canter. When away from herd, let him walk. Repeat till he twigs he’ll have an easier life away from the herd.

· Imagine a line on the ground. Get your horse to walk ahead of you, up this line without crossing it, shoulders first.

· Vertical flexion. Nose to go in, but head not to go down too far, behind the bit.

· If you lose stirrups, could be because your toes are pointing forwards and knees are squeezing upwards and your feet are going up.

· If using a rein, take the slack out first.

· Trot to canter. Change rhythm not speed, think lifting the horses shoulders.