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Post by beksnjake on Apr 22, 2012 15:38:33 GMT
Last ride this morning - no horses for 5 days now but that's 9 hacks in 10 days and never got wet once Jake super-cool but still relatively forward - as the boys are now out at night, I was a little worried that Jake would become a bit sloth-like after eating all night, but so far appears to manage to stay awake for our hacks! Like I said before I'm really pleased at how this week has gone. I feel like I've got my riding mojo back. Mum & dad go up to Scotland at the beginning of May for 10 days so I will be able to do some GW with both Jake & Josh, as well as some hacking on my own.
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Post by kas on Apr 26, 2012 7:51:47 GMT
You'll both come back better from a little break Becks.
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Post by beksnjake on Apr 28, 2012 18:29:07 GMT
So OK I hadn't ridden for a week and after the week I'd had I was desperate to get on Jake. I hadn't had time to listen to the CD's over the week which I realise now was a bit of a mistake but to be honest there just weren't enough hours in the day (SuperNurse was saving the NHS!) It's not raining but it's blowing a gale. Undeterred I'm still going out for a ride with mum & L. First problem: I try to get on Jake first before mum gets on Josh - this upsets both horses as this is not the normal routine, mum gets on Josh first! Jake keeps turning round & won't stand still. When I finally get a foot in the stirrup, he spins. But I remain with him and once he stands still, I throw my leg over (not elegantly but I'm on board). Little voice behind me is saying "YOU are in control, SIT UP, think of frenchie and how she sits" This is actually quite useful because at this point Jake has no intention of walking out of the yard and keeps turning/spinning. And this voice behind me (I do love my mum!) keeps saying "Take control, make him go forward, sit up" etc. I will admit that at this point I almost got off, I wasn't panicking but wasn't happy but then thought " it I am taking control and we are going out for a ride - even if its a short one, I have waited all week for this!" And yes we did go out, met up with L and were out for over an hour. Jake took quite a while to settle (spooking at birds etc) but then so did I. Polly (L's pony) did get quite wound up at one point when the wind really got up, but I remained pretty calm about it and we had a nice trot up the hill - Polly was desperate to piss off, so L did really well to keep her under control. Josh also led for part of the ride and actually managed to walk alongside Jake too. This has been hard to do because Josh thinks he has to overtake and Jake automatically slows down as soon as another horse's head/shoulders come past his hips. What was interesting was that when Jake was being "silly" (wrong word but can't think of a better one at the moment) at the yard, I felt he was incredibly light - ready to move in any direction in a split second. I then had a lightbulb moment when out on the hack - this is exactly the feeling I need to have in him, that he is ready to move in whatever direction I ask - although in a more controlled fashion. Which is the feeling I had from C's horse at last years clinics, when I was lucky enough to spend a few minutes on the ground with him. So although the lightness was today on Jake's terms, I need to keep that memory of how it felt, because I know he is very capable of producing that again for me, hopefully without the Force 10 gale!! Think that might be the aim for this year's clinics - lightness!
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Post by beksnjake on May 1, 2012 15:38:20 GMT
Lovely chilled hack this morning - just me & mum. Sunshine makes all the difference.
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Post by beksnjake on May 7, 2012 12:11:43 GMT
Well after working Josh in the sand school, I took Jake out for a short hack. Changed our plans slightly as there was a loose ridgeback running about - I know who it belongs to and I have seen it charge at horses when its loose so decided to change routes.
I'd under-estimated the effect me taking Josh away would have on Jake - he's definitely more pair-bonded than we'd realised (clinics could be interesting!). His energy was very up and he was a little spooky when I first got on. We strode out round Mill Lane, lovely trot past the sand school. We then met a couple of riders, one of whom was very novice, so they let me go in front. Now a couple of months ago this would have totally freaked me out (strange riders, unknown horses etc) but today I was cool with it - even when they trotted behind me and the novice rider got a bit scared that her horse was "charging" off. Jake was totally unconcerned and we mooched back home - well kind of mooched, with Jake trying to eat all the cow parsley when he thought I wasn't looking!!
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Post by beksnjake on May 11, 2012 11:33:58 GMT
The trick I have discovered when I have both horses/ponies to exercise is to take Jake out first! That way I get a nice chilled Jake who isn't jealous with me for working Josh before him - crazy I know but he's definitely better if I work him first.
Anyway we have now had two very chilled but forward hacks - no major challenges. No nerves on my part, even when Jake sees something & grows a few hands - which is good. I'm definitely better riding out on my own at the moment - really enjoyed the spring sunshine today.
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Post by beksnjake on May 12, 2012 18:47:58 GMT
We cantered whilst out today! Felt good - really good. Jake very up for it, but with me totally. One very happy bek
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Post by el on May 12, 2012 19:32:13 GMT
Yay brilliant!!!!!!!!!! rock on!!!
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Post by snigsby on May 13, 2012 10:38:20 GMT
Well,I reckon we should have some sort of award system - you really deserve a big gold star for all this!!! Great Stuff!
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Post by frenchie on May 13, 2012 13:05:51 GMT
Well done Beks!
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Post by beksnjake on May 13, 2012 15:41:44 GMT
Thanks guys - I really do feel like I'm working with Jake at the moment rather than against each other. My tension must have been pretty hard for him to deal with - he is now beginning to exhale and grunt after we've trotted etc - something which he hasn't done for a while. Got some this again after his back was treated recently - again I think my tension affects his way of going & knots him up. Am continuing to work on abdominal breathing (for me) and I carry that mental picture of frenchie at all times, amazing how much more forward Jake is if my position is better. I have really enjoyed our hacks over the past week, although I do like some company, I am much more relaxed on my own at the moment.
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Post by beksnjake on May 14, 2012 14:59:16 GMT
OK had a minor set back today in that I had to get off but I knew this could happen as I try to extend the boundaries of my small comfort zone. Decided to do the same hack I'd done with L on Saturday & see if I felt comfortable enough to canter up the hill on my own. 90% of the ride went very well including the canter - - just a short one but it was still a canter. This particular ride (Cox's block for those that are local to me) has a bit where you go up a steepish hill (where we canter), then turn left and go back down a hill (on the way home!) - this road is actually cut into the hillside. So you have a field about 10 ft above you on your right and on the left the hedge has fallen away and there is a drop of about 10ft into the field on that side. Most local riders have taken to riding on the right hand side of the road on this section as it is too dangerous really to ride on the left - if your horse spooked or steps sideways. . . . . . Now the field above us has sheep in and sometimes the farmers are doing stuff with the sheep usually right on the hedge-line - not ideal as the horses can hear the sheep creating etc but not see what is happening. Today I get to the top of the first hill and then see a tractor & landrover in the field, hear lots of shouting and banging. I realised I had to make a decision very quickly before Jake started to react. So I hopped off and clipped on Jake's lead rope and walked down the second hill. He was a little unhappy with the noises above him but not wanting to rush on. Like I said a minor set back - a couple of months ago we had both Josh & Jake turn and run off when they heard all the noise of the sheep being rounded up - not far but it was down hill. Today was different - I remained in control. I also tried the breathing technique suggested by Mark Rashid (inhale for 6+ strides and exhale for longer). Very interesting, after I'd done a few breaths Jake just let out this enormous sigh! I'm beginning to realise just how much my tension affects him, he used to hide it well, but now he's more open it's really important that I continue to work on my relaxation in the saddle.
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Post by kas on May 15, 2012 7:05:02 GMT
I don't see a setback there Becks. You remained in control and helped Jake when he needed it. No setback at all.
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Post by beksnjake on May 15, 2012 12:31:11 GMT
Actually you're right kas, it wasn't a set back was it!! I have to change my mind-set from the getting off in a panic which means I'm not in control to the place I was yesterday when getting off means I am controlling the situation. Previously I have avoided going past that section of road if they are rounding up the sheep because it really upsets the horses (and I don't fancy the 10ft + drop the other side if things go really pear-shaped, can't imagine why it bothers me but it does!). Jake did walk past all the noise etc, yes he wan't too happy but I was in control.
I also realised last week that I have to work on my dismounts (especially before clinic!) - I have got into a dreadful habit of virtually falling off Jake in my attempts to get off ASAP, amazing how quickly little things like this can deteriorate without you realising - all comes back to relaxation and control.
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Post by beksnjake on May 19, 2012 5:29:43 GMT
Two more chilled hacks - both with Josh (mum's back from Scotland). On Thursday had another canter which Josh led (pretty damn good for him as he wasn't silly & didn't buck either, so mum very pleased!) - Jake as always the perfect gentleman.
Looking forward to the weekend as have another weekend off - actually have several off in a row - very odd for me. But it does mean I get to ride out with mum & L - & possible some other people which is all good for pushing the comfort zone.
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