Working on Balance, Position and Speed

So last Friday, the 16th of March, I didn't bother posting because it was an off day, one of those where if you are relaxed about it, you shrug and go "oh well, maybe next time." Yesterday on the other hand was awesome. We played the friendly game and the yo yo game. He was extremely energetic on the lunge line, I just let him get out some of that excess energy. Instead of using his bridle provided which has a pelham as the bit, we used a loose ring snaffle. I've only seen it pinch one horse's mouth before, I know there is some controversy about it, but I am keeping an eye out so if I need to switch bits again we can. I also rode in my dressage saddle, oh how I missed it! I have a Wintec, which is what I've been riding in. My Wintec is a wonderful all purpose saddle that is made of plastic, so it won't die in the rain. It's an awesome saddle, has always fit every horse I've put it on. I was surprised my dressage saddle is the same, fits most horses, even those hard to fit horses like my last horse, Fred. He was very narrow at the withers and I actually purchased the dressage saddle to fit Fred. Oh, how nice it was to ride in it again though! The difference between the Wintec and my dressage saddle is like comparing a wooden chair to a huge comfy couch that you could sit all day on. But, enough about my saddles. Hobbie in the new bit was spectacular! I have never seen a horse go from a pelham to a snaffle and fight the bit less. He was amazing! I mean, this is what? My fourth ride, and I don't expect perfection, but he is a little miracle horse! I really wanted to do some leg yield because he was being so impressive, but I decided being able to do straight lines is probably more important first. So we stayed on our twenty meter circle and he was very responsive and framed with a nice steady tempo both ways at the trot. We succeeded at a few steady beautiful paces at the canter, and then did some perfect straight lines across the field without fighting or leaning one way or another. I am so proud! I hope when I get my next horse, they are as responsive as Hobbie is. I don't know if I should even put side reins on him or not. I've always used them as an aid to help with horses fighting their frame when riding, but Hobbie has come so far so fast, I don't know if he needs it. I guess a few more rides will tell.

So, balance of you and your horse are very important. This is why my first time on Hobbie, this is all we worked on and all I really have been talking about. When you and your horse are in sync and nice and balanced, it is so much easier to ask your horse to do what you want him to do. I just read an article I found off of Pinterest, I actually didn't like it so I am not going to share, but I wanted to pose my side. The article was about shortening your steps for a more balanced horse and rider, which is good. But it only stated that you use your leg to go and your rein to stop.

Ok. Yes, your horse should know to stop when you use the rein. BUT, you should never just stop your horse by only using your rein. In a solid balanced position, you should be using your whole body to stop the horse and only a very slight pressure on the rein. She has some great exercises and suggestions, but don't ever forget, your reins are only an aid, not your only tool. Your legs and your seat are your first tool. On Hobbie, even only in our fourth week, I always have contact to his mouth, but the rein is light in my fingers and when I ask for something it is with a gentle touch of the reign and more use of my body, stopping my motion and his from the core. Don't ever forget, horses are very sensitive. If you are relaxed and he is relaxed, it should only be slight pressure from your body and aids.

When trainers were trying to teach me to move with the horse, it took a long time and the right trainer to really find my seat. Unfortunately I don't remember exactly what she said, but how I think of it now is using my abbs for that stopping or slowing motion. If your abbs are moving correctly with the horse while moving, left side slightly forward with his left foot forward and opposite, when you tuck your abbs in and hold, stopping the connection of movement with your horse, your horse should respond with a downward movement. It's like taking your diaphragm and pushing down, or kind of almost sucking your tummy in and pushing down at the same time? I am trying to think of different ways to say it because I had such a hard time understanding it when I was taught. I swear I worked with one trainer for years and she never really got it through my head.

So, a good exercise for learning how to do this and getting really awesome downward transitions is to try this downward movement from the trot to walk without using your reins. If your horse slows to a walk, GO YOU! If not, after a few practices, ask with only a touch of the rein to ask him to slow and see what happens. To help you know how little pressure you should use on your reins, think about when you watch the best riders. You can't ever tell their hands are moving when they "talk" to their horses. Transitions are also great to make sure you and your horse have good balance and are communicating well. It sets you up for all the fun stuff you are about to do!

Oh! And, going back to the article topic. You do want to half-halt to bring a horse into a smaller step. If this is what you are asking for instead of a full on stop, you use a step or two of your abbs stopping motion and your half-halt at the same time to ask for this. Don' t forget, tiny touch of the rein. I know no one wants to hear this, but it is a lot easier to feel all of this motion in a sitting trot.

Ok, enough for today! I hope some of this was helpful!