Today was not our best day ever. It definitely wasn't the worst, but we had too much unresolved conflict.
Izzy had another big spook at the beginning, but again we worked through that, which was good. We also had some very nice moments in trot, specifically when we worked on shortening and lengthening. That said, the footing was pretty crappy and we were steering around someone else the whole time, so it wasn't quite the workout I pictured. Izzy decided she didn't want to go through a mud puddle, and then she thought she would ignore my leg. She ended up going off my leg nicely, but then she didn't want to go forward.
She's a little bit like her mommy, in that she gets really upset sometimes, especially if she doesn't quite understand what I'm asking. Unlike her mommy, however, I can keep working through it because her brain does stay with me, it just gets frantic. I'm thinking that we both would have been better served if I incorporated the walk breaks I've been using the past few days to let her know she's doing alright.
I miss summer.
So, my plan to improve: I'm doing some extra work for Cathy this weekend, so I'll see if I can get on the lesson schedule for this upcoming week. To keep progressing, I need input. I need to do a lot more canter work (and transitions), so given the choice between braving the indoor alone and riding in crappy footing with someone else, off to the indoor we will go. In the iffy footing, I really feel like it's unfair to ask Izzy to really take a big, forward trot, and even if we get it, we have to stop almost immediately to avoid hitting someone else.
Also, I timed out workout today: 35 minutes. That's probably ok for now, but I want to build towards working an hour at least. She can develop fitness at slower speeds so when it comes time to start earnestly conditioning for an event, she will have a huge head start.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Confidence Win!
One of the first days I rode Izzy last year, she spooked and I fell off. I hadn't been riding regularly, and it really screwed with my confidence.
Today however, I got on in the neighbor's outdoor arena, walked off, and she spooked like hell itself was coming after her. It was tense, but I stayed on. I wasn't really even in danger of coming off, despite her frantic leaps into the air. Then, we went to work and I got her focused, and the day was fine. So, several things:
1) My goal is for us to compete at training level (in dressage) this summer, maybe starting 1st level in the fall. Our biggest hole right now is the canter, so I'm working it in to our routine more and more.
2) Region 6 championships are here next year, so my goal is to qualify for them at first level. It would be my goal to go, except apparently, that's really expensive and depends on my job situation.
3) My five year goal is to get my USDF bronze medal, which means two scores of 60% or better in first, second, and third level. I've ridden through first before, but this is going to involve a steep learning curve for both myself and Izzy. She can do it. We'll see if I can afford the lessons. ;-)
4) Dressage is great, but I want to jump, too. I'm hoping to have Izzy doing beginner novice by the end of the year and perhaps move up to novice next summer. I haven't clarified my goals here yet because Izzy has never jumped, so it does depend on whether or not she likes it.
And yes, I forgot to check the time again. I do need to do this, because I need to be building her fitness level.
Also, I've started running and working out at home. Hopefully, we'll both be much fitter in a couple months.
Today however, I got on in the neighbor's outdoor arena, walked off, and she spooked like hell itself was coming after her. It was tense, but I stayed on. I wasn't really even in danger of coming off, despite her frantic leaps into the air. Then, we went to work and I got her focused, and the day was fine. So, several things:
1) My goal is for us to compete at training level (in dressage) this summer, maybe starting 1st level in the fall. Our biggest hole right now is the canter, so I'm working it in to our routine more and more.
2) Region 6 championships are here next year, so my goal is to qualify for them at first level. It would be my goal to go, except apparently, that's really expensive and depends on my job situation.
3) My five year goal is to get my USDF bronze medal, which means two scores of 60% or better in first, second, and third level. I've ridden through first before, but this is going to involve a steep learning curve for both myself and Izzy. She can do it. We'll see if I can afford the lessons. ;-)
4) Dressage is great, but I want to jump, too. I'm hoping to have Izzy doing beginner novice by the end of the year and perhaps move up to novice next summer. I haven't clarified my goals here yet because Izzy has never jumped, so it does depend on whether or not she likes it.
And yes, I forgot to check the time again. I do need to do this, because I need to be building her fitness level.
Also, I've started running and working out at home. Hopefully, we'll both be much fitter in a couple months.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Mon Dieu! Le cheval a de côté.
Yes, that's right. More French! This time, the horse went sideways. ;-)
Fortunately, the other morning cleaner showed up this morning, so I was off the hook (but I did have my muck boots). Instead, Cathy and I took our horses over to the neighbor's outdoor arena. Cathy did because her horse HATES the Doom Bubble, and the nieghbor's outdoor was relatively ok, despite all the rain. I did it because it's more fun to ride with other people, and hey, it's a new experience for Izzy and I.
Lunging was a mess. A nightmare, even. Izzy is still in a covered pen, so she doesn't get to stretch her legs a lot during the day. That means that if she has a day off, like yesterday, she is completely nuts when I get her out. Rearing, bucking, spinning, you name it, she did it. I can tell my confidence is improving, because it didn't bother me to watch her. I just waited until she was done, and then we went on.
When she'd had her fill of silliness, we mounted up. We did a lot of transitions through the halt to really get her listening to me. I need her to be able to focus on what I'm asking no matter where we are. And then, we did something we've never really done before: a leg yield. Yay! The horse went sideways!! More specifically, I focused on my body being correctly positioned to influence her, and I asked her to move her hips over more than her shoulders. It felt wonderful!
Then I had Cathy watch us, because I was so proud that we were doing something cool-ish. She had me do a small half-halt every time I asked Izzy to move over, to check her forward momentum. It did help, but it also confused Izzy at first. Poor pony. I also tried to incorporate a concept I heard about this summer; every time Izzy did something really well, I dropped to a walk and let her stretch and think about it. Good halt? Walk and stretch. Nice leg yield? Walk and stretch. If she focused on something outside the arena, I did pick her up immediately and go back to work. I wanted her attention on where we were. The breaks were only 10ish strides, but I want her to understand that she did something well.
The other change I tried to make was that I realized I need to keep better track of time. Iknow it takes me about an hour and forty-five minutes to groom, lunge, ride, cool out, and re-blanket, but I'm not sure what the time distribution is. I had my phone on me today to check the time, but I completely forgot to look at it. Oh well. Next time, I guess.
And here are some pictures of Izzy from earlier this summer. I should get some current ones, but she's all fuzzy...
This is back when everything was still white. I need to do some serious washing.
And this is her cute pony face. <3
Fortunately, the other morning cleaner showed up this morning, so I was off the hook (but I did have my muck boots). Instead, Cathy and I took our horses over to the neighbor's outdoor arena. Cathy did because her horse HATES the Doom Bubble, and the nieghbor's outdoor was relatively ok, despite all the rain. I did it because it's more fun to ride with other people, and hey, it's a new experience for Izzy and I.
Lunging was a mess. A nightmare, even. Izzy is still in a covered pen, so she doesn't get to stretch her legs a lot during the day. That means that if she has a day off, like yesterday, she is completely nuts when I get her out. Rearing, bucking, spinning, you name it, she did it. I can tell my confidence is improving, because it didn't bother me to watch her. I just waited until she was done, and then we went on.
When she'd had her fill of silliness, we mounted up. We did a lot of transitions through the halt to really get her listening to me. I need her to be able to focus on what I'm asking no matter where we are. And then, we did something we've never really done before: a leg yield. Yay! The horse went sideways!! More specifically, I focused on my body being correctly positioned to influence her, and I asked her to move her hips over more than her shoulders. It felt wonderful!
Then I had Cathy watch us, because I was so proud that we were doing something cool-ish. She had me do a small half-halt every time I asked Izzy to move over, to check her forward momentum. It did help, but it also confused Izzy at first. Poor pony. I also tried to incorporate a concept I heard about this summer; every time Izzy did something really well, I dropped to a walk and let her stretch and think about it. Good halt? Walk and stretch. Nice leg yield? Walk and stretch. If she focused on something outside the arena, I did pick her up immediately and go back to work. I wanted her attention on where we were. The breaks were only 10ish strides, but I want her to understand that she did something well.
The other change I tried to make was that I realized I need to keep better track of time. Iknow it takes me about an hour and forty-five minutes to groom, lunge, ride, cool out, and re-blanket, but I'm not sure what the time distribution is. I had my phone on me today to check the time, but I completely forgot to look at it. Oh well. Next time, I guess.
And here are some pictures of Izzy from earlier this summer. I should get some current ones, but she's all fuzzy...
This is back when everything was still white. I need to do some serious washing.
And this is her cute pony face. <3
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lesson Learned
Always, always, always bring your muck boots to the barn, even if it isn't your day.
I hadn't even gotten out of my car at the barn this morning when I got a call from the morning cleaner. She had car trouble and wondered if I could fill in for her.
A couple important points:
1) She fills in for me all the time, so I owe her big time.
2) She's one of those really nice people I'd do almost anything to help.
3) It rained hard, all night long.
4) My muck boots are at home.
I even looked at my muck boots as I was loading up the car, and thought, "Oh, I'm not cleaning today. There's no way I'll need those."
HA! Apparently, I now needed them badly.
We managed to get it figured out, though. I borrowed Cathy's boots, since she was gone for the morning. They're too big, but they're waterproof. I hope the other cleaner's car gets fixed today so I'm not on the hook for tomorrow, but either way, I'm bringing riding and mucking boots with me from now until the ground dries up.
I hadn't even gotten out of my car at the barn this morning when I got a call from the morning cleaner. She had car trouble and wondered if I could fill in for her.
A couple important points:
1) She fills in for me all the time, so I owe her big time.
2) She's one of those really nice people I'd do almost anything to help.
3) It rained hard, all night long.
4) My muck boots are at home.
I even looked at my muck boots as I was loading up the car, and thought, "Oh, I'm not cleaning today. There's no way I'll need those."
HA! Apparently, I now needed them badly.
We managed to get it figured out, though. I borrowed Cathy's boots, since she was gone for the morning. They're too big, but they're waterproof. I hope the other cleaner's car gets fixed today so I'm not on the hook for tomorrow, but either way, I'm bringing riding and mucking boots with me from now until the ground dries up.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Mon Dieu! Le cheval s'est presque arrêté!
In case you're like me and you don't know any French beyond "Mon dieu!", the title says, "The horse almost stopped", which was as close as the online translator could come to "half halt".
At any rate. We continued to work through the weekend on transitions through the halt, which has resulted in so much improvement. Izzy is much more responsive, both about halting and about going forward. We handled the Doom Bubble all alone on Sunday, and we rode outside in the wind and the mud today.
Here's what the title refers to: after about half an hour of warming up and doing transitions, I asked Izzy to halt, then go again before she stopped. She did it. That means, we did our first quality (and rudimentary) half halt. Obviously, I've had to rebalance her under saddle before, but this one caused a definite change in her way of going. It also confused her somewhat, poor girl.
Other than that, I also introduced backing. I've waited a long time to do this, because in my mind, a horse that rears as an evasion doesn't need any help learning to get her front end light. We have back a few steps here and there, but today I was actually asking for it. I got a variety of reactions. First, she did it. Then she completely locked up and wouldn't do anything. Then she ran backwards and wouldn't stop. We managed to work out a happy medium and just take a few balanced steps back. We're working towards an exercise I read about in which the horse halts, backs, goes forward, backs, etc. The idea is to swing the horse's weight and balance back and forth, which takes a great deal of coordination for both horse and rider.
Sounds good, right?
PS I really like my title. You may see more French in the future, but rest assured, I don't understand more than two words of it.
PPS I'm sorry if you saw this post before I edited it. I accidentally translated to Spanish! Ha. That shows you how much I know about foreign language.
At any rate. We continued to work through the weekend on transitions through the halt, which has resulted in so much improvement. Izzy is much more responsive, both about halting and about going forward. We handled the Doom Bubble all alone on Sunday, and we rode outside in the wind and the mud today.
Here's what the title refers to: after about half an hour of warming up and doing transitions, I asked Izzy to halt, then go again before she stopped. She did it. That means, we did our first quality (and rudimentary) half halt. Obviously, I've had to rebalance her under saddle before, but this one caused a definite change in her way of going. It also confused her somewhat, poor girl.
Other than that, I also introduced backing. I've waited a long time to do this, because in my mind, a horse that rears as an evasion doesn't need any help learning to get her front end light. We have back a few steps here and there, but today I was actually asking for it. I got a variety of reactions. First, she did it. Then she completely locked up and wouldn't do anything. Then she ran backwards and wouldn't stop. We managed to work out a happy medium and just take a few balanced steps back. We're working towards an exercise I read about in which the horse halts, backs, goes forward, backs, etc. The idea is to swing the horse's weight and balance back and forth, which takes a great deal of coordination for both horse and rider.
Sounds good, right?
PS I really like my title. You may see more French in the future, but rest assured, I don't understand more than two words of it.
PPS I'm sorry if you saw this post before I edited it. I accidentally translated to Spanish! Ha. That shows you how much I know about foreign language.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Ahhhh
The outdoor arena footing was good yesterday and today, so I rode Izzy in it. We have had two amazing days in a row, and I've probably jinxed it by talking about it now. Whoops.
Anyways. I've been working on keeping my reins shorter and doing the trot/halt/trot transitions that Katie recommended for us. I start by doing halt/walk transitions, but I make sure that we're walking forward, not just toodling along. It's going really, really well. Because I'm using my seat more,I'm sitting deeper in the saddle, which makes us both more secure and balanced. Then, when we start trotting, it's so completely natural that everything just flows. Outside distractions are blocked out. We had one transition from a forward trot to a square halt to a forward trot. It was gorgeous.
Say with me: ahhhhhhh. These are the days.
Canter/halt/canter transitions are stewing in the back of my mind, but we probably need a lot more practice cantering before we do too much with that.
I rode Cassie again yesterday, and she was wonderful all over again. As the weather improves, I'm going to have to look more into the reining thing. It's not like we'd ever compete, but it sure sounds fun.
Anyways. I've been working on keeping my reins shorter and doing the trot/halt/trot transitions that Katie recommended for us. I start by doing halt/walk transitions, but I make sure that we're walking forward, not just toodling along. It's going really, really well. Because I'm using my seat more,I'm sitting deeper in the saddle, which makes us both more secure and balanced. Then, when we start trotting, it's so completely natural that everything just flows. Outside distractions are blocked out. We had one transition from a forward trot to a square halt to a forward trot. It was gorgeous.
Say with me: ahhhhhhh. These are the days.
Canter/halt/canter transitions are stewing in the back of my mind, but we probably need a lot more practice cantering before we do too much with that.
I rode Cassie again yesterday, and she was wonderful all over again. As the weather improves, I'm going to have to look more into the reining thing. It's not like we'd ever compete, but it sure sounds fun.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I Love Tbs
Yesterday was a crappy, windy, cold day, but it was above freezing and it had been blowing for two days straight, so the outdoor arena was sort of dry enough to ride in. It's is an amazing opportunity to have access to an indoor, but I sure love being outside.
Anyways. I rode Izzy after turning her out to run in the arena, and she was pretty naughty. She would have been better if I cold have done a bunch of transitions and made her focus, but the footing wasn't that good. I only rode for ten or fifteen minutes, then I out her away.
Finally, I was able to get my old girl out. (I say "my", but she's really not mine, except in our hearts.) She doesn't do the indoor, so I haven't been able to do much with her in the past couple months. I also turned her loose in the arena, then groomed her thoroughly and got on.
She is such a good girl. She isn't as forward into the contact as Izzy. She'll never be a dressage champion. She is, however, smart, sensitive, and athletic. Despite the fact that I hadn't ridden her in a month or two, she still moved forward perfectly off my legs, and stayed balanced under my weight. She's so sensitive that I can just think about halting, and we do.
If I had more money, I think I'd try to do lower-level reining with her. She's catty and sensitive and doesn't like much rein contact. I think she'd love it, and it's probably lower-impact on her joints than jumping or dressage. Unfortunately for her, I don't even know how to put a western saddle on, and I don't think I know anyone who ride western well enough to train her. Oh well. Maybe I'll get a book and see what we can do. She'd probably do fine in a western bridle, but I guess we'll stick to my ansur, so it would be a fun picture.
So, anyone know a good reining training book?
This is Cassie, my old girl, a couple summers ago.
Anyways. I rode Izzy after turning her out to run in the arena, and she was pretty naughty. She would have been better if I cold have done a bunch of transitions and made her focus, but the footing wasn't that good. I only rode for ten or fifteen minutes, then I out her away.
Finally, I was able to get my old girl out. (I say "my", but she's really not mine, except in our hearts.) She doesn't do the indoor, so I haven't been able to do much with her in the past couple months. I also turned her loose in the arena, then groomed her thoroughly and got on.
She is such a good girl. She isn't as forward into the contact as Izzy. She'll never be a dressage champion. She is, however, smart, sensitive, and athletic. Despite the fact that I hadn't ridden her in a month or two, she still moved forward perfectly off my legs, and stayed balanced under my weight. She's so sensitive that I can just think about halting, and we do.
If I had more money, I think I'd try to do lower-level reining with her. She's catty and sensitive and doesn't like much rein contact. I think she'd love it, and it's probably lower-impact on her joints than jumping or dressage. Unfortunately for her, I don't even know how to put a western saddle on, and I don't think I know anyone who ride western well enough to train her. Oh well. Maybe I'll get a book and see what we can do. She'd probably do fine in a western bridle, but I guess we'll stick to my ansur, so it would be a fun picture.
So, anyone know a good reining training book?
This is Cassie, my old girl, a couple summers ago.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Riding Pictures
Here are some pictures from last week. Izzy is a bit behind the vertical in most of these, so don't be too picky. We're working on it.
It's weird that I post pictures so far behind when I actually take them that I feel like we've improved bunches in between shots.
Showing off our new gear: we were testing out a sheepskin pad and flexible stirrups with pretty with dressage boots.
Pretty walking. Note the scary tree shadows.
I'm sorry for the crappy lighting. I didn't want to be too controlling when someone else is graciously taking pictures for me. It's better when the flash is off...
Also, apparently there's a reflective strip on my winter jacket.
It bugs me to have her tail up like that, but I keep reminding myself that I'm keeping it clean and letting it grow in preparation for this summer.
It's weird that I post pictures so far behind when I actually take them that I feel like we've improved bunches in between shots.
Showing off our new gear: we were testing out a sheepskin pad and flexible stirrups with pretty with dressage boots.
Pretty walking. Note the scary tree shadows.
I'm sorry for the crappy lighting. I didn't want to be too controlling when someone else is graciously taking pictures for me. It's better when the flash is off...
Also, apparently there's a reflective strip on my winter jacket.
It bugs me to have her tail up like that, but I keep reminding myself that I'm keeping it clean and letting it grow in preparation for this summer.
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Little Craziness
Katie came out to ride again today. I warned her that Izzy has been a little weird about saddling up, but just to prove me wrong it seemed), Izzy was totally fine. It's still too sloppy to ride outside, so we trekked over to the Doom Bubble. I hadn't ridden since Friday, but Izzy was quiet all week.
Apparently, she was feeling the effects of being cooped up Saturday and Sunday. She exploded on the lunge line, complete with galloping, bucking, and tearing around like a maniac. I wished I could let her loose, but I'm terrified that she'd kick at the wrong moment and puncture the bubble, which would be bad. Also expensive.
So instead she ran like a complete maniac both directions. She didn't really spook at anything, and she wasn't bothered by Cathy taking other horses in and out of the arena intermittently, which was good. When I had her listening on the lunge, we stopped to get on. She was decent. I just showed Katie what we've been doing, and I got to break down all the things that I do wrong that hamper her. It's like blogging, only in person. Even just that helped. Because I know she can see what I'm talking about, I can explain to her what I'm doing wrong that makes Izzy tight or resistant, or whatever.
After watching us for a while (and seeing no further fireworks), Katie took a turn. She demonstrated what she thought Izzy needed to be doing, and talked me through what she was doing with her. She complimented me on improving Izzy's steering and noticed how much more forward she is now. Because Izzy is more forward, she wants me to shorten up my reins and take a slightly stronger contact, and then ride into it. Izzy tends to curl up, and this will help her reach forward through her body without dropping her head as an evasion. I did notice in the pictures Cathy took of Izzy and I on Friday, that when I thought she was soft, she was actually curling, so it looks like another bad habit that I've allowed. Whoops.
She also had Izzy doing trot/halt/trot transitions to improve her responsiveness to the leg. She commented that Izzy seems to understand what is being asked of her, but doesn't really believe that what is asked is what is wanted. This seems to be a bit of an elaboration on a theme for me... I need to decide what to do and specifically ask for it. This will improve Izzy confidence.
All in all, it went well. I'm sorry for the lack of pictures... I didn't get to them today, but I hope to tomorrow. I wanted to take pictures of Izzy and Katie, but I forgot to bring my camera. Maybe next time you can see pictures of what Izzy looks like when someone really good rides her. It's impressive.
PS When Katie was cooling Izzy out, we tried to see how big of an overstep she could have in the walk. It was like 6"! Wow.
Apparently, she was feeling the effects of being cooped up Saturday and Sunday. She exploded on the lunge line, complete with galloping, bucking, and tearing around like a maniac. I wished I could let her loose, but I'm terrified that she'd kick at the wrong moment and puncture the bubble, which would be bad. Also expensive.
So instead she ran like a complete maniac both directions. She didn't really spook at anything, and she wasn't bothered by Cathy taking other horses in and out of the arena intermittently, which was good. When I had her listening on the lunge, we stopped to get on. She was decent. I just showed Katie what we've been doing, and I got to break down all the things that I do wrong that hamper her. It's like blogging, only in person. Even just that helped. Because I know she can see what I'm talking about, I can explain to her what I'm doing wrong that makes Izzy tight or resistant, or whatever.
After watching us for a while (and seeing no further fireworks), Katie took a turn. She demonstrated what she thought Izzy needed to be doing, and talked me through what she was doing with her. She complimented me on improving Izzy's steering and noticed how much more forward she is now. Because Izzy is more forward, she wants me to shorten up my reins and take a slightly stronger contact, and then ride into it. Izzy tends to curl up, and this will help her reach forward through her body without dropping her head as an evasion. I did notice in the pictures Cathy took of Izzy and I on Friday, that when I thought she was soft, she was actually curling, so it looks like another bad habit that I've allowed. Whoops.
She also had Izzy doing trot/halt/trot transitions to improve her responsiveness to the leg. She commented that Izzy seems to understand what is being asked of her, but doesn't really believe that what is asked is what is wanted. This seems to be a bit of an elaboration on a theme for me... I need to decide what to do and specifically ask for it. This will improve Izzy confidence.
All in all, it went well. I'm sorry for the lack of pictures... I didn't get to them today, but I hope to tomorrow. I wanted to take pictures of Izzy and Katie, but I forgot to bring my camera. Maybe next time you can see pictures of what Izzy looks like when someone really good rides her. It's impressive.
PS When Katie was cooling Izzy out, we tried to see how big of an overstep she could have in the walk. It was like 6"! Wow.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Ideas and Issues
I rode Izzy again on Friday. We did a lot of bend/counter bend, and I tried to focus on influencing her with just my body as much as possible, leaving the reins alone. Overall, she did well. Also, Cathy took some pictures, so I will hopefully get those up on Monday. They do show the inside of the indoor with the reflected trees, which is pretty interesting.
More exciting yet, Katie is probably going to come out and ride again. I'm selfishly hoping that she'll be able to give us some pointers on what to work on. (However, if she just wants to enjoy a quiet ride, that's ok too.)
Here's a funny story for the day: I showed up to ride on Friday. I was going over to the indoor with Cathy's 9am lesson, so I was getting all my stuff ready. Izzy watched me everywhere I went. I kept thinking, "Aww, she loves me." It was really cute, until I realized that Cathy was gone getting grain, because she ran out.
The pony just wanted food. Silly mare.
More exciting yet, Katie is probably going to come out and ride again. I'm selfishly hoping that she'll be able to give us some pointers on what to work on. (However, if she just wants to enjoy a quiet ride, that's ok too.)
Here's a funny story for the day: I showed up to ride on Friday. I was going over to the indoor with Cathy's 9am lesson, so I was getting all my stuff ready. Izzy watched me everywhere I went. I kept thinking, "Aww, she loves me." It was really cute, until I realized that Cathy was gone getting grain, because she ran out.
The pony just wanted food. Silly mare.
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