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.