The video shows a typical schooling session with Lucy. I spend most of my time getting her to relax across her topline and then getting her to stay in a relaxed and focused state of mind. She can do the stuff; its her anxiety that gets in the way.
When I take lessons with Sandy, she tells me to be more firm with Lucy and to insist on a correct frame -- Lucy knows how to do it right; she'd just rather not. I've thought "picky-schmicky" because we are gold at home. Um, no. Video doesn't lie. Lucy pops her head up like a llama a lot more than I thought she did. So, I need to be firmer without losing the sense of fun Lucy and I share when we work. Work? Nah, we're playing.
Oh, and those are our roosters you hear crowing in the background; and that is Pistol you hear calling for Lucy.
And here's the link if the video doesn't work for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BFQBKZTKwI&feature=youtu.be
Great to see you guys in action! How lovely it must be to ride such a lovely, well-trained horse.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely pair you two make! She looks like a joy to ride. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the video. So glad you have a beautiful horse that you are comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are poetry on motion. I enjoyed the sounds of your place.
ReplyDeleteLucy looks fabulous - she's a really good, regular mover. You guys look look like you are really starting to click, too. I see what you mean about popping the head though. Sandy is right - you do need to be more firm with her (darned trainers are always right, aren't they!)
ReplyDeleteCan I make a suggestion about the counter canter loops? Would you try stepping it back a bit and schooling a shallower loop for a while? It would build up her confidence in you and in herself. I think her anxiety may be coming from the loss of balance when she goes through the corner afterwards.
Best of luck to Brett with her surgery & rehab afterwards.
PS having terrible problems commenting using opened so I am switching to using my google account