Weekend round up 8/9 March:

What a beautiful weekend! The weather was gorgeous, and I had 2 superb rides in different ways.

Saturday:
I was a bit late getting to the yard, but was lucky in that the 3:30 class was going to the the xc course, so I could get into the manege for 40mins. Again my main aim was to just keep trotting for 30 mins for exercise rather than schooling, but I'm still trying to come up with ways of varying the work, because it does get a bit boring, so we did some work on varying the speed of the trot. e.g. one circuit pushing on, and one circuit collecting back. We had a couple of great changes of rein along the diagonal, really pushing on on a longer rein. I wouldn't go so far to say "medium trot" but it was great to feel the lift through the shoulders and the push from the hind end (I really must get a balance strap on the front of my saddle, as on one occasion I very nearly fell off the back I got left so far behind!).

Again I was able to get snippets of a "true contact." It's amazing! and for the first time I actually felt as if there was a 2way communication thing going on, rather than just me all the time. I could feel Pinto stroking the bit with his tongue

My main achievement though (I feel) was in sitting trot. I did quite a lot of work on the sitting trot, and experiemented more with speed. At last Pinto is getting the idea that sitting trot does not mean canter, so he was much more relaxed also. We started off really slowly, and for the first time since I left Mariastein (where my lessons in dressage I would sit for about 40mins in each hour!) I felt that I could sit comfortably so I could worry (concentrate!) about other things. Mainly my position, keeping various body parts relaxed, remembering to breath (not too deeply on the way out, else Pinto transitions to walk lol!) So we worked some on rein and hand position, working out that when I connected my elbows to my torso and raised my hands my shoulders became more relaxed. Also that when I relaxed my middle the tension also left in my buttock and thighs too. Also working out that relaxing your middle, but keeping your abs engaged is difficult!

I also recognise that I still have a very, very long way to go with the sitting trot. We played around some with speed to see how comfortable I could remain, and found that we couldn't get very much faster before I started bouncing. I also recognise that I'm still using my seatbones bilaterally, and although I'm not leaving the saddle I'm still bouncing (if that makes any sense!). A couple of times, for a couple of strides I though I could feel the side to side bit too... though I could be imagining it. I'm not sure if it's me and that my pelvis/lower back is completely blocked, or if its just because I don't really know what I'm meant to be feeling

All in all I did about 7 minutes sitting trot (about 5 circuits and a change of rein). And it felt fantastic! Ever since Mariastein, I've felt much more comfortable and in control sitting rather than rising... but only if I can sit. Pinto felt really great too, and obviously harder and different work for him too. I'm aware that I'm still a very heavy rider, though I try not to ride heavy, if you get my meaning. He worked into the bridle very nicely, and very kindly ignored my wobbly hands during the times I wasn't completely relaxed. Towards the end i could feel he was getting tired and he started leaning on my hands occasionally - slow isn't really Pinto's thing, so we went back to rising, and made a couple of quick circuits to raise the energy again.

We finished the session with a couple of turns-on-the-forehand which I haven't practiced for years, and I dont think of Pinto ever, and guess what? Pinto was excellent! Hardly moved his front feet at all, but was really stepping right through, one step at a time, with his hind legs. he is such a superstar horse

Sunday:
I had plans on Sunday to do some loose schooling, then tacking up in the manege, doing some more trot work, trying some more exercises and then going on a quick hack to cool down. In the end I had to modify things a bit as the yard was quite busy, and I could only get in the manege for about 1/2 hour.

We haven't done any loose schooling for ages, and after the initial trot and canter to free the butterflies the free lunging was a bit of an experience. As soon as I picked up the whip Pinto was at warp speed, so I just persisted in asking for trot, and as soon as we got 1 circuit all in trot he got to walk and a bit of carrot. The we had to repeat the whole thing on the other rein

Once that was done, I took Pinto over and re-introduced the whip as a "friendly" object; and although we were a bit quivvery and snort-y at first he soon settled.

Then we went back to free lunging, and worked on trot/canter/trot transtions which he did great at - transition right on the cue, lovely balanced canter (i.e. not frantic/running away canter) for a circuit, then back to trot.

Then we started doing 'fun stuff' which I really enjoy, unfortunately I have no imagination so we end up doing the same things all the time. Yesterday it was back to leading games... to the extreme. I took a step forwards, and so did Pinto. I took another step forwards and so did Pinto. In the end we were synchronised with our 'leading' legs, so he got much praise and scritches for that.

At this time I was sharing the manege with 2 others, both of whom were trying to get their ponies to lay down on cue, then sit astride and stay on when the pony got up (on cue).

Pinto and I went back to cueing 'foot up.' Although I have little intention or knowledge of teaching Spanish Walk, Pinto picked up immediately that a tap/tickle on his elbow means 'foot up' ready for picking. He deduced by himself that a tap on the forearm means raise the forearm to the front In fact it was so immediate I'm wondering if he's been taught that before? Who knows!

After an hour or so playing (including the freeschooling) we left the manege, tied up and tacked up and we went out for a hack. Longer than I had initially planned, but I had the time. Pinto was great. we trotted almost the length of the bottom path, with only one tiny brief pause, so we trotted for just over a mile continuously - not much, I know, but still, it's still small steps for me! Trotting outside is still far more exciting than trotting inside, so the trotting outside I still feel as if I'm just along for the ride (pardon the pun!). But Pinto goes along with ears pricked trotting his cob trot (just a tad jarring lol) and is obviously happy, so outside I'm still "making suggestions" rather than "asking" like I do in the manege. I'm still very aware of how easily I get tense outside, and I'm trying my best, but it is just such an automatic response (to small things as well as big things) I get frustrated at myself. At least now I am aware of how me becomeing tense also makes Pinto tense too... though if he tenses first it's much worse as then I expect the worst... I'm such a gimp!

It was a very nice Sunday, and Pinto was out of his box for 4 hours, which is always a bonus for him (even if he did have to do a bit of work lol).

Well, after saying "I think one of the best things I ever did was stop riding Pinto in lessons" last night I rode Pinto in my lesson!

I was given a choice of either Pinto or Paco, and I was too tired mentally to cope with Paco's gittishness, never mind that I think I'm really too heavy for him. Plus we were having a dressage lesson, so I knew I could cope on Pinto, well just about anyway.

The warm up was good, and Pinto listened to me for about 15 minutes before switching into "lesson mode" and started pulling before that though we were complimented by Katia, even earning a "très bien" so we must have been doing something right!

On the plus side I even managed the sitting trot across the diagonal, and though I felt a bit bouncy, I still felt I was able to contain everything to a certain extent and I didn't feel unbalanced.

We then went to work in open order, doing transitions between halt/walk/trot. I practiced everything in sitting trot, (apart from halt to trot - I'm not that flexible yet to cope with the big jump Pinto does into trot) which I was really pleased with. Pinto was very attentive to the aids, and we had some great transitions from sitting trot to walk with seat aids only. Trot to halt still feels very clunky, and although I "fix" everything (seat, back, shoulder, elbow) I still feel as if I'm dragging on the rein, even though I'm not pulling back - but we were getting the transition pretty directly with only about half a stride of walk inbetween. Halt to trot is much better, but still not direct. Pinto will begin to move off in walk then give a huge spring into trot, but I'm having problems regulating the aid enough so Pinto knows to move directly to trot, but not too much else he rushes and looses all the soft-and roundness.

Our main exercise for the lesson was 'head to the wall'. Pinto was *awful* on the left rein, refusing to slow down, refusing to bend, basically refusing to think. At this point he was making a pretty good effort of just towing me everywhere (in walk) and I had to concentrate hard just to get a decent slow walk out of him. On the right rein everything was different. First of all I concentrated on keeping the walk slow, til I felt that we were just dripping along (surprisingly at the same pace, even if still abit quicker than the school horses!). Eventually Pinto settled into it and stopped fighting the bit so much (at this point there was a lot of gnashing of the teeth going on). On the right rein he would bend easily into the wall, and I could really feel him stepping across with his fore and hind legs, so after having a huge guilt trip about dragging him about and making him upset on the left rein (gnashing teeth, open mouth, curled nose, tongue poking etc) I felt much better about the right rein.

After a trot to stretch out came the canter exercise, and Pinto turned into a hooligan. Pinto understands the French "galop" very well, and Katia was giving detailed instructions on what we should be doing, and every time she says "galop" Pinto is getting more and more excited. Basically we were to trot in a circle at the C end, and then one at a time come down the long side, transition to canter between F and A, continue and come back to trot at H and join the circle again. It makes me so mad. I get absolutely sick with nerves about doing these exercises on Pinto, yet I know I could do it with my eyes closed on Elcypse. I went first to get it over and done with. Didn't get a transition at F, but fall into canter at K, bound along for 4 strides then haul ( ) to a trot at C. After that I can get no further sense out of Pinto. We end up trotting 7m circles with my inside hand somewhere about my knee to make sure he is bent to the inside as he is all over the place pulling and hauling and basiclaly just wanting to take off. After a few minutes he settles a bit and we try the exercise again. We make some semblance of a transition at F, fall back to trot at A, get the transition again at K, and Katia is going "pousse, pousse" and I'm thinking "not on your nelly mate!"

The only thing I can think of that was good about the canter was that my bum isn't sliding across the saddle (polishing).

The next exercise was a complete disaster. We were meant to trot around onthe piste, then transition to canter at A and continue up the centre line, transition back to trot at C. Pinto was bounching everywhere, doing his 100mile an hour trot, pulling me left and right. I know people look at me and think that I should just go with it and get on with the exercise. The thing is I DON'T WANT a hooligan horse who dictates when and where we canter. We continued trotting around the outside of the school, with some choice words in Pintos ear when he tried to pull me into canter on the corners, until he settled down and trotted around politely. At this point I had already been told to get on with the exercise, and yes, half of it was fear, but like I said, *I* want to ask Pinto up into canter, not Pinto charging off whenever he feels like it. So in the end after 1 circuit of relative politeness we turned up the centre line, I asked for the transition, but didn't push it when we didn't get it. I know the problem is that I just don't trust Pinto to stop (or to continue in a straight line). My balance is horrid, and a slight swere left or right and I'll be off.

I've gon over and over in my mind why I can canter on Eclypse, but not Pinto, and it's not the speed. It's the movement. Both Pinto and Eclypse are about the same height and build, though Eclypse is not quite as wide. Eclypse will canter just as fast as Pinto, but his movement is not very big. You can sit on Eclypse all day and not feel that you are doing much work to keep your bum in the saddle. Pinto has this huge jump in canter, each and every stirde, and I find it terribly unbalancing.

I'll get there eventually, I'm sure... it's just taking a lot longer than I first thought!

Jumping lessons!

Wednesday 5 Mar:

I didn't ride last night, but watched J ride Pinto in her class. It has been a while since I've seen J ride Pinto, and even longer since I've seen her ride in a jumping lesson.

The first thing I really noticed is how much more balanced Pinto looks in canter... when he is thinking about it. Unfortunately it doesn't take long cantering around in a group before it just blows his mind and he starts rushing, gets strung out and starts stomping. Once that happens, there just isn't time in a class to let him calm down and resettle.

2nd thing I noticed was that he goes much more softly with the bit now than with the bitless bridle (which J was using last night). With the BB you can just see him bracing against the noseband as soon as things get too exciting and he starts stomping, especially in trot. I really noticed this, because it has been a long time since I've heard him stomp in the manege. In fact, very recently he has been really quiet, even on Tuesday during my sitting trot, I know he wasn't working correctly (tracking up properly) because of the slow speed we were going, but he still felt very soft and consequently he was very quiet.

3rd thing was that he is becoming a really neat little jumper ... when he is thinking about what he is doing. Towards the end of the lesson when the class had been doing the same exercise for a while (x-pole on the diagonal, change direction at x and x-pole oxer back to the same long side corner - like a 1 loop serpentine but with a jump on turning away from the long side, and another upon return) and the height of the jump wasn't going up (80cm x-pole) J let Pinto get too fast and he ends up just ploughing straight through a mess of poles Everyone just goes " ça c'est Pinto *shrug* " It's kind of embarrassing lol.

J is a very neat rider, though I'd like to polish my ego and think that Pinto goes more softly for me. But we ride in different circumstances now. J almost always rides Pinto in lessons when there is lots going on, and little time to actually think about things like 'softness' and 'working through.' I always ride Pinto by myself when all I concentrate on is how Pinto is going, experimenting here and there with rein length, amount of contact, leg position, breathing etc.

I know it is all good, Pinto is getting the best of both worlds, but I think one of the best things I ever did was stop riding Pinto in lessons

When it all comes together...

I had a really, really good ride last night

After humming and harring whether or not I should ride (I was tired and it was freeeezing waiting for the last class to finish), I decided that as I had gone to the stables, groomed the mud off Pinto (a good 1/2 hour job!) I might as well finish the job and ride.

However I wasn't expecting it to be so cold. It had started snowing a bit on my way to the stables, but by the time I was ready to go into the manege it was really coming down with a concerted effort.

I hopped on Pinto (ha! In my dreams... though I am getting a bit springier with the losing weight, but I still think it will be a while before I'm hopping on anything!) and off we went. I hadn't planned on doing anything specific, just more trotting. Pinto is slowly losing the saggy tummy look, and compared to last year he's in pretty good condition (ribs easily feelable, but not seeable).

Anyway after a couple of rounds of walk, I asked him up into a trot and off we go into a beautiful springy but slooow trot. Oh I could have cried! For so long Pinto has always been about doing things as quick as possible, and trying to regulate speed has been one of my greatest challenges.

Then, I tried sitting... and I could! I had to concentrate on a million things at once (not gripping with my calves, relaxing my upper back, BREATHING!) but I felt that I could have gone on sitting for ever. Pinto was fantastic. We were working on a long rein, and he was stretching down into the bridle, and he didn't try to whizz off into canter when we went round a corner.

Actually I haven't had the old "ears up the nose" for quite a long time now.

We did a couple more rounds in rising trot at a proper 'working' pace, changed the rein, asked him so slow down again (which he did! ) and started sitting again. What a fantastic feeling. Everything just felt really soft. I know I (and Pinto) still have a long way to go, but it just seems that everyting is starting to come together... it's taken its time, but it's starting.

In the end I think I was riding for only 15 mins. I wanted to go on longer, but obviously didn't want to push the whole "good thing" till it fell apart, and besides i'd made the mistake of riding without gloves, and my fingers were freezing, really painful. So I jumped off (well... at least I can actually dismount without hanging my leg on Pinto's butt now!), took his saddle off inthe manege and walked him back to his box - by which time (2 mins) he was covered in snow!

I'm just so totally in love with my horse at the moment

Horses are better than therapists!

No weekend roundup this week

I waited until lunchtime on Saturday to see if the weather would sort itself out (blowing a gale and lashing down with rain) but it didn't so decided to go food shopping, and eventually got to they yard at 3pm.

Gave Pinto a really thorough grooming (including combing all the knots and mats out of his armpits - I will be so pleased once he has shed out - his armpits are disgusting!) and then set about his mane.

For the past month or so I've been plaiting Pintos mane up to 1) make grooming easier 2) in an attempt to keep it a smidgin cleaner 3) to stop it knotting with the reins. In a short space of time Pinto's mane has gone from longish to LONG, or so it seems, and although I am really loathe to shorten it, it's getting a bit impractical.

Plus, keeping it plaited, it takes about 5 mins to comb through rather than a good 45 mins if it was all knotted, tangly and full of mud-cicles. I wish I could do the same with his tail! After spending a good 2 hours washing it last week it's back to 'normal' this week and disgusting again.

I really enjoy my time just being with Pinto when I'm grooming without an agenda.

The weather was the smae again yesterday, and I'm too much of a wuss to get soaked and blown about, so Pinto has had a weekend off.

Monday 25th: Manege work

Halleluja! I managed to get the manege to myself tonight for a change! What bliss it was not to have to dodge loose ponies and their caretakers.

Pinto was not very happy to be presented with his saddle for the third day in a row, and gave this huge sigh when I showed up with it. He is so cute. Grooming was definitely just a quick whipround to make sure there was no straw sticking to places where it would rub, and a very quick foot pick, but I was short on time, so wanted to get into the manege as soon as possible - just in case ;)

Almost immediately I felt something was different. I mounted Pinto and he stood like a rock, even when I dropped the reins to pull my jods up (again). Usually when I mount, Pinto is off as soon as my bum hits the saddle, despite my best efforts to stop him doing this. I don't know whether it was just tiredness from 3 days work in a row, boredom from what was coming next, or what.

Anyway we had a nice active walk stretching into the contact on a longer rein for a good 5 minutes before a realy good trot transition, really springing into the pace with the lightest of leg aids. I experimented with the length of rein for a few minutes which was very interesting:

A longer rein: Pinto's trot was very slow and unenergetic, though he kept a nice low head carriage, I felt that i was doing more work than he was rising to the trot.

A shorter rein: The trot was definitely springier and more forward, but still a bit lack-lustre compared to last week. I just put it down to tiredness and warming up, as he did get much better as the time went on.

Once I sorted out my rein length and remembered to bend my elbows I was feeling the most curious sensation at the end of the reins. Pinto was very mobile with his mouth, and he was playing with the bit a lot. Because of the whole "strangeness" feeling I was worried that he had somehow got his tongue over the bit, but when i checked he hadn't. However what I could feel was his tongue playing with the bit. I have never had that type of contact before. I could tell when he swallowed, and how much he was moving his tongue against the bit. It was really quite - enlightening - I suppose, once I ascertained that I wasn't hurting him.

I experimented a bit with sitting trot... and ascertained 2 things... 1) I can't sit his trot at a working pace... 2) sitting trot elicits a lot of bouncing from Pinto, because sitting trot is *always* a prelude to canter, isn't it, mum, isn't it??? I guess I'll have to practice a lot more, to prevent this anticipation! However Pinto was bouncing quite a lot really. Every time I used an indirect rein to ask him to remain on the piste we were bouncing, and at one point even had a single stride of a very nice, unrushed canter, before I growled at him and strengthened through my body.

I did notice that he wasn't very straight tonight, and kept banana'ing to the outside on the left rein and falling in on the right rein. I really need to call the osteo to see if Pinto needs manipulating or not.

We had a very productive 35mins trotting I feel, and I think that I gained a lot from tonight. My main gain, I think, was that I was able to keep my lower leg much more still than I normally can. I'm hoping that this means my risinig is actually improving and that I'm not 'pinging' so much.

Classes start again this week, so I don't know when I will be able to get Pinto back in the manege. I'll have to try and leave work really early one day, to get in before the lessons start at 5:30.

Weekend round up 23rd / 24th Feb

Weekend roundup :)

Well, the weather was FANTASTIC... more like early May than the end of Feb.

On Saturday I had planned on 1/2 hour manege work before going out, but the manege was in use, so decided to go straight out, and considering Pinto had had no exercise all week, i thought it was a tod brave of me lol.

As soon as we got to the top of the hill and asked for a trot I realised why I normally wear a BP... not for protection in case I fall, but to stop my boobs bouncing! I only managed a few yards, then decided I just had to stop as it was too painful (and this was with a good supportive bra, just not a sport bra). I hummed and harred whether I should just go for a short ride, or a longer one, bearing in mind it was about 3 when I set off, but decided just to see how it went, after all it's light until just after 6pm now.

Poor Pinto, tries so hard, but obviously the lack of exercise was really telling on Saturday, and he was very fidgety and, I felt, barely contained. We managed a spanking trot up the road, which was actually quite comfortable, but then we ran out of road, and had to turn off up the hill. Pinto bounced a few times, then decided to walk nicely, which was a good job, as we met come walkers just over the brow of the hill.

Things kind of deteriorated after that, and the rest of my ride wasn't as relaxing :( After coming down the other side of the hill and back onto the road we can either go straight on (which leads home) or we can turn off up another hill. Pinto decided that we had to go up the hill, and we were going up it full steam ahead. I'm afraid that I took a rather firm hold of him, saying "stop" with every part of my body as well as growling at him and telling him not to be so daft. Then at the top of the hill (which we half bounced up, half walked up (very grudgingly) there is another choice of direction, either straight on (long hack) or turn left (quick route home). Recently every time we come to a junction, Pinto will fight to go home. On Saturday it was a very fine balance between putting your leg on as a 'block' or a 'wall' to prevent the falling out/whip round and Pinto interpreting any kind of 'leg on' as a GO signal.

Anyway we managed to go straight on after a fashion... only to see some friends in the distance at the bottom of another hill and across a couple of fields. This was a cue for some more bouncing around and minor strop throwing, and for a very brief moment I thought I was going to get towed down a rather steep hill before we finally managed to walk on through the woods.

After coming out of the woods (about 5 mins!) and heading towards the next village I heard a very faint neigh on the wind. I wondered where it came from because I didn't know that there were any horses in that part of the village. As we continue walking along the path and get on to the paved section, we hear very clearly 2 neighs from 2 different horses, and now Pinto decided to answer (as well as to start prancing). We are now practically bouncing along the road (in walk though!) and coming to a steep down hill section (which we bounce down), then just as we cross onto the other road (one which actually gets used by vehicles!), Pinto neighs really loudly again (and nearly shakes me off his back :rolleyes: ) and I'm beginning to think that I'm doomed! Luckily it all goes silent until we are back onto another paved farm track.

One more trot along the paved track, in the direction of home, so I must have been feeling braver again (!) and Pinto comes back calmly to walk with only a little bit of bouncing before we hit the grass tracks again. At this point I make a decision to walk the rest of the way, as I don't really want any more excitement thank-you-very-much and everything is fine for the next 20-30 mins until we're on the home straight. At this point we were heading towards the sound of a chainsaw and about 20feet from the crossroads Pinto stops dead, frozen to the spot. Not only does he stop, stock still, but he sits *really* deep on his hocks while the front end grows a good few inches, which for me is not the safest arrangement for me to be in. So I ask, very quietly, more with voice than leg for him to walk on... and he does, for a couple of strides, then stops again. This happens a couple more times until we are just around the bend in the road (and about a foot from a 3' deep drainage ditch) when someone drops a rather heavy log. At which point Pinto leaps off the ground, manages to jump sideways and hits the ground at a trot - for all of 2 strides! Fortunately this is about as big as Pinto's spooks get, and it doesn't happen often. Now this really is all the excitement I can take, and after another very brief trot up the path to get rid of the butterflies we are walking home the rest of the way.

So... all in all, not the best hack ever, but I'm pleased I managed to cope with all the bouncing around and arguing. Just not that long ago, any of the above would have been enough for me to get off and walk home, now I'm feeling more able to cope with these things, though sometimes it is a very close call!

Sunday:

The weather was absolutely out of this world! 18C on the way to the stables, and I was determined to wash Pintos legs and tail before doing some manege work.

After Saturday, Sunday was almost a worse disaster.

After much standing around, coping with buckets, shampoo, hosepipes and cold water, being much more fidgety than normal Pinto completely freaked out when I was drying his tail off: It was completely my own fault, and I feel really bad that I lost my temper :-[ Normally I just comb through his tail until it dries naturally, but yesterday, although it was warm enough in the sun, the wind was still a bit chilly, so I attempted to dry it by spinning it round - well I wont every do that again. Pinto thought it was a rope trying to hit him and he was jumping all over the place. So I untied him and went to trot him up and down the drive, only I backed him up too quickly, and the lead rope flapped at him and he pulled straight through my hands. Now I had a loose horse on the yard property with no barrier between him and the main road. Fortunately he headed straight back to his box where he was caught and handed back to (a very breathless) me.

After all that excitement the manege was finally free so I tacked up and in we went. I had planned on 30 mins trotting before going out for a quick 30 min cool down hack.

Pinto was jumpy as anything, though stood like a rock while I mounted and started our warm up. I had only been walking round for 5 mins when one of the other girls asked if she could come in to the manege also (at least that is what I thought she said!). So I said of course, her pony had all of his tack on, so I thought she was going to do schooling too. In the end there was three of them came in, and immediately divested their ponies of all tack and started messing around teaching tricks. Now normally I have absolutely no problem with this at all. Except this time I was in the manege trying to exercise, and there were 3 loose ponies in the manege too. Personally I wouldn't dream of doing liberty work in the manege if someone was schooling.

Not only was I not able to keep a steady rhythm going because Pinto was distracted by each cluck, click and whistle, but I had to keep coming off the piste and changing diagonals in bizarre places to avoid loose (and occasionally, unattended) ponies.

The straw that broke the camels back was when someone else came into the manege to lunge, not only lunge, but just in a head collar. As soon as she picked up the lunging whip I decided there and them just to give up. For me Pinto, although he was going quite well, wasn't relaxed enough for me to risk taking out without every small thing freaking him out. And the last thing I needed was someone waving a lunging whip around - Pinto won't have anything to do with one under normal circumstances, but yesterday it was just an accident waiting to happen.

In the end, after having to slow to a walk - again - I dismounted in a hurry, before Pinto got too freaked at the lunging whip and huffed my way out of the manege.

Pinto, luckily, hadn't done enough work to make much of a sweat, so I could put him straight back in his box so he could tuck right in to his haylage again.

I only hope that I have a free manege tonight, as I really don't want another day like yesterday!

Weekend round up

Weekend round-up Saturday 16, Sunday 17th Feb:

We have had some fantastic weather this weekend; bright blue skies, a little wind, but very cold. On Saturday I had planned on going into the manege for half an hour or so before ending with a short hack; unfortunately I was beaten to the manege by a trio of teenagers, so I decided just to go straight out instead.

I decided to do almost the same loop as I worked out last weekend, but my aim was to do more trotting. Pinto was a star, and surprisingly we had none of the pully-pully type trotting that we had last week.

Thanks to the wonders of technology... here is the route we took ;)



Unfortunately the majority of our attempts at sustained trotting were thwarted by walkers, dog walkers, and other horse riders! But we did manage some good trotting along the paved sections. It was so nice to hear Pinto clopping along. He has 2 very manky frogs at the moment which I can't seem to help much with, but they clearly aren't bothering him too much judging by how he was stomping over the gravelly bits on the paved roads.

We got back to the yard in just over 1 hour (last week the same route took 2!) so we actually must have done more trotting that I realised!

Sunday 17th:

Achieved my aim of getting into the manege for 30mins trotting (with 10 mins warm up in walk before hand). OK, so it's not very interesting... about as interesting as lunging I suppose, but it really does seem to benefit both me and Pinto. Surprisingly I have never really done much sustained trot work with Pinto before. I hardly ever go into the manege with a set idea of what I want to achieve, I'm so useless at schooling, andmainly keep wondering *how* am I meant to school Pinto, when my riding is nothing to write home about. Anyway this sustained trotting is allowing both Pinto and I to settle into the pace and to figure things out slowly.

This week I managed to:

1) Remember to keep my elbows bent and to raise my hands (something which I am awful for - keeping my hands just above the withers, but keeping them so low can make me tense across my upper back)

2) Allow a longer rein: Pinto is *not* going to run off with me in the manege so I really don't need to strangle him with the contact... but neither must I drop the contact all together!

Riding with the bitless for a year was an eye opening experience, but it made me hyperaware and overly conscious of how much contact I had with a bit. Consequently I tended to ride with too little contact I think, which in turn made Pinto jib and haw on the rein trying to find a consistent contact.

I also think it has taken the year being bitless for him to overcome whatever issues he had with the bit in the first place; although I have only really ridden with the bit a few times, and really only 4 times "properly" since our year with the bitless, he has completely changed. I know that 2 times hardly sets the precedent for correct work, but twice in row is definitely more consistent that whetever we have achieved in the past.

Again, over the course of the thirty minutes we managed to keep a consistent contact, and a nice pace. He was also making a *lovely* shape, and I [i]think[/i], working through correctly. His pace certainly was elastic and springy, very easy to rise to without overworking it. I still couldn't sit to it lol... too bouncy. I'm not really sure how to tackle that. So I slow his pace down further, and risk losing the elasticity, but it is slow enough for me to sit to... or do I just try my best at a working pace, and build up slowly stride by stride the amound of time I sit?

It is true that I'm still riding with his elastique on (gah! a dreaded gadget!) though I think that it more for my piece of mind than anything, it certainly is helping him find the proper shape in which to carry himself. True, he doesn't carry himself [i]as[/i] correctly when hacking as when in the manege, but i wouldn't expect him to really. There is far too much going on outside for him to nose at and to be watchful for than when in the manege!

I was so encouraged by the trot work I decided to try a canter. I was shocked and pleased with myself that I attempted this by myself without anyone telling me I must do it lol! Anyway, started off in a nice controlled trot, asked for canter in the corner, got 4 fantastic, controlled, [i]contained[/i], strides, then he fell back to trot in the next corner. This is entirely my fault, as I have unintentionally trained Pinto to do this. Anyway I asked immediately again for the canter, and everything started to fall apart. He rushed away doing his best 'sewing maching on crack' trot, falling on on all the corners and generally being a hooligan. Not to be defeated though, I managed to get some semblance of order before trying again, and did manage to get something like a canter, though it was terribly rushed, unbalanced and a bit :o :;/ in general! Had a definite "oh sh!t" moment as he went tearing round the corner as first my balance went one side, then over compensated and went "oh sh!t" the other side, before shouting "WHOA" in a very unlady-like manner.

I had just about calmed down enough to consider trying again onthe other rein when I was "saved" by the three teenages from Saturday anting touse the manege. I figured we had been in there for almost an hour and it was time to relax.

I had planned on going out for just a short time, to allow the both of us to cool off after the "hard work", in the end we were out nearly an hour, following a slightly different route than Saturday, but it still encompassed nearly all of it. This time we went and trotted a lot of the route.

Here is the route:



Very, very good fun. Trotted on nearly all of the straight bits (and some of the curvy bits too!), very nearly came a cropper, when Pinto decided mid stride to try and take a short cut home and lunged off the path to try to go up the hill. Oooh, did he get yelled at for that! "Don't you EVER do that again!" Cripes, I sounded just like my mum when she was telling me off for something when I was little! :-[

I really started relaxing in the the whole trotting thing too. I think Pinto would be fantastic to drive... he has that very typical 'cob trot' once he gets going. Amazingly, I never felt out of control once. Pinto was being very responsive to all my little adjustments, and it didn't take much at all to bring him down from the "super cob trot" to something more sedate.

Once again, we ran into walkers (well, not literally, of course!). The walk must have just set off, as there were lots of people in groups, so the trotting was curtailed as I excused and "bonjour'd" myself past everyone. Pinto was very much admired, and I think the general consensus was "il est tres beau" :D :-[ the only time he gave anyone a second look was when someone was waving a hiking stick around, not that I blame him, lol!

Once we came out of the woods I separated from the walkers and decided on a the quick way home. was very brave and trotted nearly all the way up the road, and then walked the last 1/2 mile. In the end we were out for just over an hour, which made it to nearly 2 hours riding all in all.

Pinto was a bit warm when we got back (just a tad!) and had sweated up just about everywhere, so after hand grazing him for 20 mins popped his cooler on, as it really was a bit chilly (about 2-3C).

I left him knee deep in haylage (again! - honestly I must stop disturbing his lunch *snicker*) and came home a very contented girl :nod:

Fantastic ride last night!

Up to date at last!

I went to ride last night (in the manege because there are no classes this week) with the sole intention of trotting for 30 mins, not for schooling, but just for exercise.

After warming up in walk for 8 minutes off we went, and immediately found I had a wonderful elastic pace.

Not in 2 years have I ever felt Pinto so *together* in trot. It was truely wonderful. He accepted the contact and worked right up into it with no stargazing. He sometimes went too deep, but to be perfectly honest I couldn't care less, it made such a difference to the normal 'ears up my nose'; yet because he was working properly I still had plenty of neck in front of me. Not only that... but I had the *ears*, you know, pointing sideways, actually listening to me rather than pointing ahead thinking for himself

The other main thing I noticed is how quiet Pinto was! Usually you can hear him trotting a mile off because he stomps around like he has lead in his feet, but not last night. OK - I wouldn't say he was fairy-footed either, but there was no stomping

Even towards the end of the 30 mins, when he was obviously getting a bit tired, his trot was practically metronomic.

OK, so it was a bit boring doing 5 laps of the school then changing hands for another 5 laps etc. But the time passed so quickly, because I was just marvelling at how fantastic Pinto was being.

As we were walking around to cool off, the rest of the horses were being let in, which made life rather interesting!

For the first time this winter Pinto worked up enough sweat to warrant putting his cooler on. Now the cooler is brand new, and I've never even tried it on him before. It is a tad too long in the back, even though it is his size, but my goodness! it fits him like a dress! When I put the surcingle on, the sides almost met under his belly! I don't think he cares too much but it made me

Anyway I left him knee deep in haylage and with a brand new bed down. I'm hoping that I can capture this Pinto again on Saturday to do a bit more of this fantastic trotting, before going out on a hack to cool off. If only I didn't have to work...

12 Feb 2008 - Weekend roundup

Anyway, here is the round up from the weekend!

Thursday (OK. so not strictly the weekend ) I'm now a house owner! Signed the contract at the Notary, so now I'm officially in debt for the next 30 years! My move-in date is 08 April, and it seems to be creeping up rather fast now

The riding shcool has a 2 week holiday now (half term), so my last lesson was on Thursday night. It was OK. We had a student teacher, who still hasn't mastered the "Voice" yet, so catching the instructions were a bit hit and miss as to where you were in the manege in relation to her! My big breakthrough was though... cantering circles! Yay! there was a few other riders who didn't attempt the exercise (as I wouldn't have done last year!), so I'm even more pleased, not only that I attempted it, but that I succeded. OK, my circles weren't exactly 20m, but this whole steering and cantering at the same time is still new to me lol (and yes, I've been riding almost 5 years continuously now :dp )

Saturday: The weather was absolutely fantastic, not a cloud in the sky, so Pinto and I went off on an exploration. We were out for just about 2 hours, and I've certainly seen bits of the Alscace that I haven't seen before. Only had a couple of mis-starts where I had to turn around due to dead ends, but was very pleased with myself for not getting wibbly even though I didn't have a *clue* where I was. We even tried trotting in some places - Pinto was definitely feeling *well* and was trying to charge off everywhere, and exhibiting very nice collected trot with plenty of joint flexion when I asked him back to walk - for 100m

Sunday: Was an evil mum and took Pinto into the manege for exercise. We did a bit lunging with side reins, and he really gets it now. Was very, very pleased with him, and it was so nice to see him working in a good shape for a change. I then hopped on and tried to do more fitness work, but gave up after 5 mins of concerted trotting, when someone else came into the manege to free school.

Monday: Very, very good day! Rode Pinto for the 3rd day in a row (I'm such a terror!), after a 5 min warm up in walk, we proceded to try and co some concerted trotting work. I admit I didn't really have any aim except to keep going. Pinto hardly gets any trot work at all, mainly because I hardly ever ride him in the manege, and outside, I'm either walking, or just having brief canters up hill. So I guess my aim, was just to keep Pinto going, and for me to feel what is going on. I really need to get the osteopath out, as Pinto feels about a straight as a bowl of spaghetti! It was impossible to stay on the piste without him falling in all the time. I also really need to get the dentist out, as he was really fussy with the contact, and occasionally ketp snatching his head up.

Anyway we managed 15 mins of solid trotting before someone else came into the manege. I would have carried on, except Pinto became very distracted and argumentative, trying to get near Sophie all the time. So we rode out of the manege, and out for a hack. Was determined that we would do more trotting outside, and have some semblance of control over it, so on almost every straight we came to we had a little trot. As Pinto has had so much exercise over the past few days I thought I would risk a canter up a hill. The hill is a bit longer, though not as steep as the normal hill, so I thought I would see how I managed. Well as soon as I asked him to trot on the hill he surged off into canter. It was a very polite, restrained canter, actually, but unfortunately my nerves are a bit floppy after the last time, which ended up being a full-out gallop. Looking back now, I'm not sure what was going on in my head! The canter was lovely, well balanced, and not too fast. I was well balanced in the saddle, but something was still shrieking in my head "you'll fall" so I asked Pinto to stop... and he didn't. I actually had to ask 3 times, before he bounced back to trot, all the while thinking "I'm balanced, he's balanced... what's the problem?" It was as if I could hear Pinto saying, "look mum, you're OK... but we're not at the top yet. I'm OK, you're OK. We'll get to the top *then* I'll stop."

After that we trotted a couple of more times on the straights, and... dun dun daaah... on a muddy straight too. I have an absolute fear of Pinto (or any horse) slipping and falling with me, so any time the ground is even slightly wet it's Walk. It's the same going down hill... I'm terrified of the horse slipping, though in general I'm much better with hills now.

I reckon we cut about 20 mins off our hack by trotting where we could, and we both got back to the stables a bit sweaty. I left Pinto knee deep in haylage, so I'm sure he was happy!

I'm feeling a bit stiff, and a bit "off" this morning, but I'm sure it will pass, and I'm so looking forward to the next time I can take Pinto out, and practice trotting along the straights!

4th Feb 2008 - Lovely hack on Saturday

Sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, bit cold though

We went exploring! Decided to be brave and go a completely different way to normal, though after the shennanigans of last week, decided "safety first" and we went out with a bit and his elastic on.

Pinto was perfect Only a couple of minor disagreements when passing a path which would mean a quicker way home (he certainly knows where he is, even if I don't!).

Found another lovely hill which will be great for cantering once the ground dries out (again!). Went through the forest up and down a hill (which was very slippery), but had to turn back as I didn't want to get completely lost, and I only had about 40mins of proper light left.

On the home straight decided to risk a trot... wow... a wonderful, polite, sloooow trot, with only a couple of tiny half halts to rebalance. It was such a difference from the bitless. He was even polite in going up the last hill, and only for a minute thought about towing me up (the hills arer quite steep, and it is much easier for him to trot or canter, but much *better* for him if he walks lol)

I'm really looking forward to the summer when I can really get out and explore... I never would have thought I could get converted to hacking, since it used to terrify me so much, but now I love it

28 Jan 2008 - Pondering aloud... Am I strange?

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm strange or not because I take lessons on school horses and prefer to ride Pinto by myself.

I know my RI has commented to a friend what she doesn't know why I don't ride Pinto in lessons as I can 'handle' the other horses, even a couple of tricky ones, and Pinto is better than them??!!

But for me, it is different. I find Pinto very challenging to ride in group lessons, he gets excited very easily, and I seem to spend half the lesson trying to calm him down, rather than concentrating on the exercises. It got to the point where I would dread my lessons, because I found them so difficult... Pinto picked up on this and got more and more argumentative during the lessons.

After the summer break last year I decided that I would just have lessons on school horses, mainly to bolster my courage a bit, ultimately though I need to improve my riding so I can ride Pinto better, rather than trying to school him and figure something out myself at t same time.

In the mean time, Pinto and I have been having an absolutely fab time just hacking. My confidence is growing (check out my other thread from today!), and I know Pinto so much prefers hacking than schooling.

But everyone else at the yard has lessons on their own horse... it's beginning to make me feel, well, a bit of a cop out.

Am I strange for not really wanting to have lessons on Pinto? Having said that I am having a whale of a time (mostly) having lessons on the school horses... and if I could get private lessons I would have them on Pinto. I just feel that group lessons and Pinto just don't mix very well for me!

28 Jan 2008 - First proper hack since before Christmas

Went out on Saturday afternoon, in lovely sunshine, for the first time since before Christmas (discounting the very quick 30mins at the beginning on Jan).

Was a tad more exciting than planned!

The horses' turnout has been severely limited over the past 3 weeks (only a 1/2 day per week) due to the extremely wet weather - not because we don't want muddy horses, but our clay fields are on the sides of a hill, and when they are very muddy are extremely dangerous for the horses... and as the majority of them are RS horses, the YO can't risk lameness due to tendons or muscle strains. Consequently Pinto hasn't had much time to take the tickle out of his feet.

We started off pretty well, and once we got to the top of the first hill the ground was relatively dry (at last!). We only slithered a little bit at the bottom of the second hill as it is in a 'bottom' and tends to stay quite wet. We head out along the canter path and try out a little trot, cue 'sewing machine on crack' trotting, with lots of bouncing and Tigger impressions, decide that trotting is a bad idea, and ask Pinto to come back down to walk... waaaalk... W.A.L.K... I. Said. WALK. grrr! After another 20 or so metres bouncing around with ears up my nose we eventually settle on a power walk, head down and braced against the bridle (who said that a horse can't lean on a Bitless Bridle?)

Cue argument number one when we come the the cross roads. We always argue here: Pinto wants to go straight on towards the forest, I always turn right up the road. Managed to turn up the road and off we went again.

Wend around the bottom of the field, and come to the curvy hill. Now, we've cantered up here, what, 3 times in the last 9 times we've been out. Pinto takes full advantage and as soon as we turn the corner he launches into a flat out gallop. At which point I'm thinking Oooh :ouch: Not having planned on mad gallops, my stirrups were definitely 'dressage length' and I just couldn't get off his back enough to feel properly balanced (that'll teach me!) and I did have a minor getting to the top of the hill when he show no sign of slowing down. I'm now sitting straighter in the saddle, trying to get my weight back, but being bounced around while 'trooooooooooot' ing. Eventually he realises that he is in no way fit enought to be galloping anywhere, let along up a hill with me on his back... but he was so exceptionally pleased with himself . I could hear him laughing, I swear it!

I really didn't want to repeat that experience (nerves still a bit wobbly) so had to devise a way to get home without going up the normal hill. Ended up doing a loop, and going up another hill, but not before having another argument when I pointed him away from home when we *should have been going down that track THERE, mum!*

I really need to get out exploring a bit more, as I really can't have Pinto deciding when we're going to canter. I hadn't planned on cantering at all on Saturday as he is so unfit. Next time I think some lunging prior to going out will have to take place, as I was extremely unsure of stopping ability on Saturday.

Having said that... looking back... it was just 6 months ago when I was terrified of going out by myself for 15 mins, now I can (just about) laugh the Tiggering off, I didn't fall to pieces during the unscheduled gallop, and managed to calm things down afterwards... I guess I must be improving after all!

5 Jan 2008 - Bit of a disappointing ride today :o(

Was up early today... 8:30... without an alarm Mainly because of all the water I'm drinking on my diet lol

After going shopping I ended up at the yard at about 2:30, and it was p-ing down, but I actually haven't ridden Pinto out for weeks, and I've been itching to go out for a long ride.

After a very quick groom we were tacked up and ready to go by 3pm, and luckily the rain had lightened to a light drizzle.

Now it has been freezing here for weeks, with temps not much above freezing during the day, and well below freezing on a night. Over the past 2 days it has rained, and today the temp was nearly in double figures, consequently the ground was very wet and muddy.

Even getting off the yard Pinto was very tentative, and once we got to the top of the gravel hill he was doing a Bambi with one leg or another every 3rd step. As well as being disconcerting for me Pinto was very unsure too, I could feel him huffing, and he was very tense through his back... so even before we got to the downhill path (with is steep), I turned him around and went back the way we came.

Pinto made a dive for the gravel hill (quickest way home!) but I insisted tha we continue and ride on down the tarmac road and through the village.

In the end we were only out 30mins, which now seems like no time at all.

Unfortunately the rain doesn't seem to want to let up, and it looks like the ground wont dry up any before tomorrow. Which makes me a bit stuck! All our hacking is off road because the main road is a 90kph A road. If I can get to the yard early enough I might try Pinto in the pelham again, if I can get into the manege, or I might have to just follow the village farm road and turn around at the end.

Goals for 2008

Here are my goals from last year:

Canter 1 circuit of the manege (preferably on the piste) on Pinto without squeaking.

Canter outside on Pinto

Gain more confidence jumping (not necessarily on Pinto)

Stop feeling so stressed about having to do something correctly NOW, Pinto is my horse, I can take as much time as I like to do things with him.

Ride more often

Move house (my real biggy for next year!)

So next year is basically about being more relaxed with myself and my riding

Hmm... I managed 2 out of 6, so not bad really!

next year I would like to:


Canter 1 circuit of the manege (preferably on the piste) on Pinto without squeaking
Gain more confidence cantering outside, and go for a gallop along the (flat) track
Gain more confidence jumping (not necessarily on Pinto)
Get Pinto going in long reins (without him freaking out!)
Have mor confidence in my own abilities!

3rd Dec 2007

I've been off the air for what seems like forever, so here is the round up from December:

Typically, on my birthday, the weather was abysmal. Freezing cold with horizontal rain so I didn't get to go out on Pinto (I'm a right fairweather rider... I blame it on not having warm enough or waterproof clothing )

As one of the classes was outside (!) having a XC lesson (!!!) I took Pinto into the manege for a very brief loose schooling / run around session.

He is coming on so well!

First of all, after getting the beans out of the system, and actually listening to me, we decided that we could go from a 'normal' trot to showing lengthend strides back to 'normal'. All I can say is phwoar! Asking Pinto to lengthen, you can see the actual transition! That first stride just hangs in the air before he stretches out his legs and flicks his toes up... And the overtrack! (reminder to self... must ALWAYS put on over reach boots!)

But it was the canter which amazed me. Pinto tends to be all or nothing with canter, and all is a bit hair raising - even if you are standing on the ground! This time, we are getting fantastic, calm, transitions, and a calm, unhurried stride, which is naturally getting shorter and more bouncy ( ??? ) then you can ask him to move out a bit and then you can ask him to turn on the speed

Even better though, is that he is starting to stretch down more in trot, without the guidance from the side reins, and he is starting to look more supple and less tense in his back (and less jarring on his joints!).

I just so ♥ my boy