Wherein Courage Takes a Dressage Lesson

Slower and softer

Pardon my delay on the wrap up here--I didn't get pictures back until the weekend, and no one wants a post without pictures. Plus I don't really look at a computer on the weekend (sshhhhh), so wheeeeee speed writing a post on Monday morning.

Anyways. It was our first lesson at the new barn, with a new trainer who we'll call C. Yeah, I'm really original. C has never even seen Courage in person before, but she's my facebook friend, and I venture most of you know how I am about pony pictures.

That's more like it

It took her almost no time at all to zero in on his issues. He has FINALLY given it up in terms of giraffing constantly, but he just drops his neck at the wither and pokes his nose out front like a western pleasure horse. It's better than what he was doing, but he still isn't building a topline.

Into the contact

Also, because I'm used to Courage sticking his head straight up and dropping behind my leg, I've adopted the really cool habit of running him off his feet in all three gaits to make us feel "forward" when really, he's taking short, quick steps and not using his back end and topline.

OMG neck muscles!

At this point, Alyssa was probably regretting her decision to come take pictures of us. It was literally a lesson of doing w/t/c transitions in a very slow rhythm. We focused on the quality of every single transition rather than promptness, which meant that some transitions took a lap or more of the arena to get done.

It wasn't the most exciting hour I've ever spent (and I can only imagine watching, lol), but Courage came out for the lesson on the buckle and ended it more relaxed than he started.

check out that engagement!

I'm working on a post about it, but I'm really glad to have the chance to work with C this winter. I think she's exactly what Courage and I are needing.

If you need us, we'll be doing hundreds of walk/trot transitions for the next eternity.