Monday, December 8, 2014

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.

19 comments:

  1. Sometimes though that's exactly what you need... and winter is really a great time to do stuff like this!

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  2. YAY! You guys look gorgeous! I love me some Courage muscles :)

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  3. Sounds like a great lesson. :)
    I've just started taking some dressage lessons on a school horse and I already had a few AHA and *mindblown* moments.

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  4. Oh I feel you. I'm in the land of counted walk and trot on one of my guys. Must be like watching paint dry, but my patience is paying off. The change in his topline is remarkable, and his arena attitude has become very pleasant! The minutiae of it all is actually quite fascinating and rewarding!

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  5. Now what did I tell you. I told you it was very fun to watch you guys and the incredible improvement, and all the learning is good for this one. It's all good!

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  6. I might be the weird dressage girl here, but I looooove those sorts of lessons. I love getting them, and I love watching them. There is so much intricacy involved in a transition, so much conversation between horse and rider. Ah! Just awesome. Courage looks absolutely fantastic in that 2nd to last picture, too! I had my fingers crossed it was going to be a good fit, and it sounds like it might be! :)

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  7. Sometimes the least exciting lessons are where we learn the most! I thought I was going to be bored to tears in a small arena with not a jump to be found, but I have found so much more to work on since starting lessons with my new trainer.

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  8. Look at his neck! :) I'm going to spend most of my winter working the canter to trot transition bc I suck badly at it. Yay winter!

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  9. ZOMG neck muscles, engagement, back roundness galore!!

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  10. I'm sure a lot of other people have said it, but winter is the perfect time to fill in the holes like transition work.

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  11. i'm still so excited about your move - sounds like a great lesson and like you and Courage will have so many opportunities over the winter to really refine all your work on his foundation

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  12. This is so cool! I just found your blog and I'm in almost exactly the same place you are. I also just moved to a new barn and am working on almost the exact same things with my pony. I'm happy to have found a great new blog to follow!

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  13. My whole LIFE is w-t transitions, forever, because that is what goofy red horses need to keep their brains intact and their muscle working. I feel you!

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  14. Sounds like a very excellent lesson with a trainer who will keep pushing for more.

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  15. Transitions are the best for building topline and teaching engagement. He looks great in the pictures! I can't wait to see what he looks like after a couple of months of thousands upon thousands of transitions. :D

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  16. So glad to read all of this. Looks like you're on the right track.

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