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Thursday, October 6, 2016

Better Together

Phase one of professional (half) training for Courage was two rides a week with our trainer. I knew he needed an education and I don't have the knowledge base to give it to him and it's freaking impossible to try and teach something when you have no idea what you're doing.
but cute?
That was September. I was able to watch half the rides he got and he made excellent progress.

But.

You might notice that the larger part of our problem was me and to this point, I haven't really enhanced my own education. I mean, yeah, I audit lessons and clinics and I know a lot of theory and that's nice, but riding is so much more about feel and you can't learn that from a book.
cough obviously
So this week begins phase two of pro (half) training. Courage still gets one pro ride a week, but now our other session is a lesson. We kicked it off this week and even had Alyssa on hand to document! I always love media and I'm super excited to share it with you. (As a rule, I don't share media of my trainer riding because she's not interested in being an internet star.)
will share shots of trainer on the ground
It's hard to write this lesson up in an interesting way. I mean, I don't have any crazy stories or fantastic fail pictures.

Courage kept his brain in his head and tried hard for me the entire ride. That's HUGE for us, but it's kinda normal for most people I think? Not sure. I got really excited when trainer referred to Courage as a second level horse, but of course that was in the context of "he's learning to be a second level horse now" and explaining why we had to step something up, not like "goddamn he's ready to go out at second now". Whatever. Still exciting.
right lead canter with no explosions!!
We made little changes, not big ones. She had me ask for more of everything--more bend, more softness, more forward, more relaxation. I assume this is true with most every horse, but so much of riding Courage is just plain feel. If I become electric and say HORSE GO NAOW because I want forward, he will flip his shit. If I ask him to be more soft and reach more and give when he gives, all of a sudden, I have this super amazing trot that's way, way better than anything I've ridden on him before.
i will take this.
This applies to every aspect of how I ride--give to him more, release more, get his neck longer, and ultimately, he gives me much more. It's all great, it just means relearning how to feel what "correct" is for him right now. I was already able to articulate that I wanted him deeper and lower so he wasn't stuck in a false frame, but I wasn't able to consistently get him to where I wanted him. Now I can.
butt!
I call this particular professional intervention "relationship counseling". Courage is finally in a place where he shows up to work and (mostly) says yes ma'am, but now I'm figuring out what exactly I need him to say yes to.
thinking cap on

31 comments:

  1. Ugh yes softer and reaching are life goals. Probably shouldn't admit this on the internet but I totally got busted for muttering "softer deeper longer" as I was riding the other day.

    I'm glad you guys are making progress and having your horse willing to play is key to everything (as you well know)

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    1. Oh dude I get weird looks at work ALL THE TIME for talking to myself. It's how I think, ok?

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  2. I love all of this, and especially new the media! I can't wait to watch you guys making progress together.

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    1. Even more progress I mean, cuz obviously you guys have already come insanely far! 😀

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    2. My goal is to someday get a pic where I don't look like a total monkey. Maybe next year?

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  3. This is lovely progress. I think the one training ride/one lesson is perfect.

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    1. I'd like to do 2 and 3 but something about budgets and not living in fantasy land came up.

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    2. I know exactly what you mean!

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  4. Yay for new media! Courage is looking gorgeous. It must be that stunning thinking cap.

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  5. Both of you are looking great! Also well done on the pro-matchiness of your breeches to your stirrups!

    Weekly dressage lessons is my dream. Heck, I'd be happy with monthly lessons if I could get them! Regular lessons can do so much for education of horse and rider. Alas, there is a reason why I named my blog "Autonomous Dressage"

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    1. I have not had weekly lessons since I was like... 16? This is huge for us and I'm really excited.

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  6. Your browband is lovely! Nice matchy matchy-ness with the boots/sweater too. Sounds like you guys have a great plan :)

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  7. Holy wow, look at you guys! I'm so excited to see what you get through this month!

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  8. I see that Second Level horse in there!! His connection has really improved! Watch out C-Rage, now the work really gets hard!

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    1. Haha thus far he hasn't objected to working hard, only to doing things he doesn't understand. Sooooooo fingers crossed?

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  9. Y'all are looking so great in these pictures. He's engaged and moving forward way more than I've seen of y'all in the past. Way to go!

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  10. Any chance you can have a few lessons on a horse showing second or third? I find lessons on more schooled horses to be really helpful for me to understand where I'm going.

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    1. This is an excellent idea. Yes and I need to capitalize on it.

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  11. you guys look really awesome - love his hind end engagement. cant wait to see where you go!

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  12. You guys are looking so great! I love the comment about relationship counseling!

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  13. Totally with you on handing the reins over to someone who knows how to teach things to your pony that you yourself don't even know how to ride yet. How exciting you are at that stage with him!

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  14. Training my pony has been a lot of 'uncharted territory' for me and I totally feel your pain in that respect. Not having an accessable trainer to be with us here and now, I simply don't have that option. I'm not complaining at all though. I'm very hands on and learn by doing, so getting my horse or my pony to the next level on my own, brings a whole different level of feelings of accomplishment.

    I agree with the comment above about taking a lesson on a horse further along in training. Being able to relax and focus on our riding and our issues helps clear things up when we get back on our own horse. We have a better idea of how to ask and whatto expect when we get it.

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  15. Sooo exciting!! Courage looks amazing, as do you!

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  16. This is awesome. I am also learning to ask for "way better" by asking for "a little bit better" a bunch of times, and am shocked at how much better things can get (I knew they weren't necessarily great, I just didn't know where they COULD go). I'm totally rejuvenated for dressage now -- are you too?!

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    1. I'm... something. Haha. Fingers crossed for next year I guess.

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  17. He looks way more forward and engaged, LOVE

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  18. I'm late AF in commenting. But. I love this. You guys look fab. Love the gray and blue too!!

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  19. So true! Sarah is always telling me to ask for more and it's amazing how if they are strong and able, asking for more feels so great!! So excited for you and Courage

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