SESSION 161: Sunny and trotting in the field.
Another traffic cone day - did half of it trotting about with Oz working on not drifting out or in. Then the second half was in walk and all about me - a flat back and hands near saddle, and we manged to do a few shoulder ins and practised leg yields. Lovely sunny morning, happy relaxed horse.
SESSION 162: December groundwork
Haven't done much in the last two weeks as the weathers been awful. But today it was dry !!!!! So snuck out for a fun groundwork session this afternoon, continuing to practise my homework from Isabells clinic in Sept. Everything is getting better! Softer and smoother backups. More relaxation and slower trots. More balanced 20m canters. Good yields on both ends
I've come back in smiling - funny how spending time with your horse does that to you!
SESSION 163: riding December
Finally got out for a ride after 2 weeks! Tacked him up then our other horse galloped away and disappeared up the field. Oz took it very well! Got up on calm horse and walked up the field. Then off we went on manoeuvres..... 180 and 360 FQ and HQ yields, walk the lines, backups, shoulder in on circle and lines, I think we did 2 walk pirouettes (!) then did some rollbacks to straight line trots. Oz cool as custard and happy throughout for over an hour
I tried to remember to look up, flat back and not wave hands about. Lovely day
SESSION 164: after a week off in USA
Recently Oz had been reluctant to go from walk to trot. Figured it had to be the saddle as he's so willing and focused otherwise. Did Google research this week while away with work, and found out that a saddle that's too wide will push down at front particularly at trot. There was still lots of clearance at withers but I figured this could be the problem. So after 18 hours flying, drove home, brought in my bags, on went the hat and wellies. Out came the Allen key, adjusted saddle in 1 min (reduced saddle width by 7.3%) once I figured it out and off for a jet lagged horse ride! Out in the field asked for a trot and we did a lovely long trot up the field. Did a handful then of walk - trot (TONS better, no delays now) and Oz happy throughout. Did a few shoulder ins Oz really sensitive and focused on following my finger mvt.
?? I really am a huge fan now of saddles you can adjust a bit if you need to.
SESSION 165 + 166:
Horse calm, listening, focused and light and fantastic :)Made saddle more narrow but it got wider while riding and OZ not happy in trot. Got to make it tigher for next ride hopefully that will work. But very sociable friendly horse. Got 3 apples, breakfast & dinner!
SESSION 167:
Made saddle less wide. Didn't work horse not happy. No idea why so going to try other saddles and do a Wien dose and back check. Other than that Oz is being a saint, completely calm, focused on me, chilled out and fabulous regardless of weather, location of other horse, etc. Trying barefoot saddle tomorrow and ghost saddle in early january. I'll get it right eventually!
SESSION 168: DECEMBER 23 2015
Borrowed a friends barock Barefoot saddle. Once I adjusted stirrups to the correct and ass ed about a bit, we did one lovely long trot up the hill! Definitely a change from before!
While I pottered about, Oz completely emotionally neutral / stable, cool as cucumber, listening, literally happy to hang out with me and relaxed. very exitced about saddle, have it for a few more days to try out but every excited we got a nice trot in it today!
Session 169 and 170
Arrived out to a racehorse inside the body of a Connie (my fault). So we did some groundwork from Stephen Halfpennys clinic last summer - the goal was walk trot and canter - slowly, calming, a float in the lead rope (horse not pulling), softness and bend in body and a calm mind. This took a long time last summer at the clinic to work on ozzies mind at speed for the first time really - this time it took about 3 mins (progress!!) - even though Oz had a ton of energy, his mind relaxed to me and then the softness came through his body - I was really pleased with our trots!! Every cloud lol. Rode the Barock barefoot after so it still feels good! Will try it again tomorrow