Need to do some catching up on the last 3 rides!
I have not been able to lunge Riva before our rides the past two days - due to many other riders in the indoor arena. Weather has not been good enough to ride outdoors this week. But today - I was able to lunge her first. She was really forward and listening - but, all the horses had their Spring shots today and Coggins test - so I was not supposed to work her hard enough to get warm...figures! Anyway, P had me try raising my lunge line hand and keeping it up when I ask her to canter. This really helped get her off the forehand and working from behind. She also didn't throw her head, buck, do anything silly. Hoping this will translate to under saddle.
Have been working mainly trot - keeping Riva forward and engaged. Today, another rider was having a lesson with the BO in one half of the arena - so Riva and I kept to the Mare pasture end of the arena. First big news - we rode with the big overhead door open, that opens out to the Mare pasture. Riva went by it and never tried to bolt out with me...like she did a few times last year! So - she is growing up!
We worked on bending 20 meter circles. I have a really hard time doing the things I know I should be doing - keeping my heels down, kicking only when I need to, keeping my lower legs still. So P came out and coached me while I rode. This works really well, when I am in the mood to be told what to do - fortunately for him, tonight was a good night! It does help to be reminded of these things while I ride.
We also worked a bit on some shoulder in at the walk and turn on the forehand. I finished up with some in hand work to reinforce - and Riva was good. Really lovey and sweet tonight - probably just tired from the vet visit!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Reasons Why
This post will most likely ramble...but I started this blog to document our progress and record my thoughts. So here goes!
I had a rough night last night and I beat myself up about it. I realize that when I am not in the right frame of mind, how can I expect Riva to be.
Started out with a cold, rainy afternoon/evening. I should be grateful for the indoor at our barn - but I really want to get outside and enjoy some wide open space. Riva was bred to be a hunter or dressage horse - I think she will excel at both - not because of me, but because of her pedigree - and she likes to be in the ring alone or with one other horse.
Anyway - as I was grooming my mud ball but happy horse, there were 3 people riding already in the indoor plus my daughter. Ok - that will make 5 with Riva and I. Not good in my mind. First of all, no room to lounge first and Riva has been so much more forward when I can lounge her first. Strike one. The 3 other people riding are experienced riders with seasoned horse - oh, and L is too. Strike two - Riva and I are green on green. So I slowly finished getting Riva saddled and bridled, wondering if we would get anything accomplished besides me trying to keep the Diva from sinking her teeth into another horse or landing a kick at another. Two riders exited by the time I got ready to mount. Swung up and within 2 minutes of riding, Strike three - Riva was not into this, not forward, doing her 'trog' - half hearted trotting.
I am learning what behind and in front of the leg feels like now. Had a few moments of her being in front of my leg, but much more time, she was behind. L and I had planned to try some follow the leader with her and Henny to try and get Riva to hold the canter under saddle. Waited until the other rider left the arena - so it was just L and I. I agreed to give it a try. I knew Riva was not forward enough for canter work tonight. I am a green rider - Riva is a green horse. She doesn't really know what a canter cue is. But when she is forward, she offers it and says 'can I please?'. I know what that feels like - when I get the question, and give her the cue and encourage her to canter as long as she will keep the gait. She wasn't offering last night.
L got Henny cantering and I asked Riva for canter several times. She picked it up a few times - the best one of the night, she tripped and I couldn't recover fast enough to ask again. I was getting frustrated - I know, does not help. I finally thought, maybe if L gets on and gets her cantering, that will help Riva understand. So L agreed to ride her. Well, at least now I know it is not just me! L had a difficult time getting Riva to go into canter, also. The best stretch of canter was when L rode her like a Western Pleasure horse - so it was more of a lope. She put the reins in one hand and swung the dressage whip along her side - not touching her with it (that would cause much bucking!) just letting Riva see it and enouraging her.
L and I talked afterwards, and she thinks Riva is trying. That she just was sluggish last night and it will take time, work, energy...on my part!
I am hoping to look back on this post in a few months and think 'wow, look how far we have come'. But in the here and now, it is discouraging to not be getting and holding the canter.
I love this horse and want to enjoy her. I spent some time just hanging out in her stall last night, after riding, just remembering why I got this horse and what she means to me. When I am with her, grooming, riding, just hanging out - it clears my mind and I don't think about all the other stressers in my life. I focus on the task at hand, breathing in her sweet horsey smell, sometime just thinking I can not believe she is mine.
pic of the baby Riva and I:
I had a rough night last night and I beat myself up about it. I realize that when I am not in the right frame of mind, how can I expect Riva to be.
Started out with a cold, rainy afternoon/evening. I should be grateful for the indoor at our barn - but I really want to get outside and enjoy some wide open space. Riva was bred to be a hunter or dressage horse - I think she will excel at both - not because of me, but because of her pedigree - and she likes to be in the ring alone or with one other horse.
Anyway - as I was grooming my mud ball but happy horse, there were 3 people riding already in the indoor plus my daughter. Ok - that will make 5 with Riva and I. Not good in my mind. First of all, no room to lounge first and Riva has been so much more forward when I can lounge her first. Strike one. The 3 other people riding are experienced riders with seasoned horse - oh, and L is too. Strike two - Riva and I are green on green. So I slowly finished getting Riva saddled and bridled, wondering if we would get anything accomplished besides me trying to keep the Diva from sinking her teeth into another horse or landing a kick at another. Two riders exited by the time I got ready to mount. Swung up and within 2 minutes of riding, Strike three - Riva was not into this, not forward, doing her 'trog' - half hearted trotting.
I am learning what behind and in front of the leg feels like now. Had a few moments of her being in front of my leg, but much more time, she was behind. L and I had planned to try some follow the leader with her and Henny to try and get Riva to hold the canter under saddle. Waited until the other rider left the arena - so it was just L and I. I agreed to give it a try. I knew Riva was not forward enough for canter work tonight. I am a green rider - Riva is a green horse. She doesn't really know what a canter cue is. But when she is forward, she offers it and says 'can I please?'. I know what that feels like - when I get the question, and give her the cue and encourage her to canter as long as she will keep the gait. She wasn't offering last night.
L got Henny cantering and I asked Riva for canter several times. She picked it up a few times - the best one of the night, she tripped and I couldn't recover fast enough to ask again. I was getting frustrated - I know, does not help. I finally thought, maybe if L gets on and gets her cantering, that will help Riva understand. So L agreed to ride her. Well, at least now I know it is not just me! L had a difficult time getting Riva to go into canter, also. The best stretch of canter was when L rode her like a Western Pleasure horse - so it was more of a lope. She put the reins in one hand and swung the dressage whip along her side - not touching her with it (that would cause much bucking!) just letting Riva see it and enouraging her.
L and I talked afterwards, and she thinks Riva is trying. That she just was sluggish last night and it will take time, work, energy...on my part!
I am hoping to look back on this post in a few months and think 'wow, look how far we have come'. But in the here and now, it is discouraging to not be getting and holding the canter.
I love this horse and want to enjoy her. I spent some time just hanging out in her stall last night, after riding, just remembering why I got this horse and what she means to me. When I am with her, grooming, riding, just hanging out - it clears my mind and I don't think about all the other stressers in my life. I focus on the task at hand, breathing in her sweet horsey smell, sometime just thinking I can not believe she is mine.
pic of the baby Riva and I:
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Shot Heard Round The World
Well - it was loud! Let's just say I think we are ready for our first show in April - at least in the distractions department. Our barn's neighbor decided to shoot off his shot gun last evening while I was riding in the outdoor jumping arena - not just once, but twice!
I do have to give credit to the Diva - she handled it pretty well, We had been working awhile, lots of trot work and trotting over ground poles. She was carrying her head pretty high - we were the only ones riding outside last evening - but over all, she was listening.
We were coming toward the fence on the barn side of the arena when the shot gun blasted. Riva jumped forward, toward the fence, thought about spinning and bolting, but I one reined stopped her and she kinda skidded to a stop. Then the skid caused some dirt, rocks to fly and hit the fence. This startled her again and she kinda set back and tried to spin again. I got her stopped and turned around - facing the property where the shot came from. I was keeping her halted and talking to her, telling her what a good brave girl she is and the gun went off again. This time, she didn't even flinch - but I jumped!
Ok then...get off or keep working, not knowing if neighbor was going to keep shooting or not? Decided to work just a bit more to end on a better note. Got her trotting again and took her once more over the 5 ground poles P had set up in a straight line. Got our best pass of the night that time. Walked her around the entire arena and called it a night.
I was glad we rode outside - supposed to rain all day today and it is such a nice change to get out of the indoor. Bonus to riding in the outdoor jumping arena - L and I are usually the only ones who use it. L is the only jumper right now at our barn and all the other rider's like the outdoor dressage arena. With Riva being so young, and it is Spring time, I like being surrounded by the higher fencing!
I do have to give credit to the Diva - she handled it pretty well, We had been working awhile, lots of trot work and trotting over ground poles. She was carrying her head pretty high - we were the only ones riding outside last evening - but over all, she was listening.
We were coming toward the fence on the barn side of the arena when the shot gun blasted. Riva jumped forward, toward the fence, thought about spinning and bolting, but I one reined stopped her and she kinda skidded to a stop. Then the skid caused some dirt, rocks to fly and hit the fence. This startled her again and she kinda set back and tried to spin again. I got her stopped and turned around - facing the property where the shot came from. I was keeping her halted and talking to her, telling her what a good brave girl she is and the gun went off again. This time, she didn't even flinch - but I jumped!
Ok then...get off or keep working, not knowing if neighbor was going to keep shooting or not? Decided to work just a bit more to end on a better note. Got her trotting again and took her once more over the 5 ground poles P had set up in a straight line. Got our best pass of the night that time. Walked her around the entire arena and called it a night.
I was glad we rode outside - supposed to rain all day today and it is such a nice change to get out of the indoor. Bonus to riding in the outdoor jumping arena - L and I are usually the only ones who use it. L is the only jumper right now at our barn and all the other rider's like the outdoor dressage arena. With Riva being so young, and it is Spring time, I like being surrounded by the higher fencing!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ride the horse you have right now
But I liked the horse I had at my lesson Sunday afternoon! The one I had Monday night was sleepy and pretty lazy. We were told the mares were all running the fence line yesterday...probably all going in to heat...sigh. So Riva was tired - she fell asleep while I was grooming her - which is NOT her norm. Granted, grooming took some time. My lovely horse, who never rolls, was a mud ball. Got her cleaned up - kinda - and got her ready to lounge.
Ok - who took the horse I had Sunday? Sunday - she was lovely on the lounge, and full of energy. Monday - not so much. Had to really get after her to get a canter and could not hold it long. L was already riding and no one else was in the arena. So she was not distracted - just Western Pleasure Pony.
Took her to the mounting block and got on. Riva walked off fine - went into trot easily, but it was not the energetic faster trot that I wanted. Had to keep after her constantly to almost get it. I asked for canter after some wam up trot work - was able to get the upward transition, but no good at keeping the canter more than on the long side. On the left rein, she threw in a buck at the canter as we got to the first corner - BAD MARE! I yelled and growled at her for that one and asked again. This time, she tripped on some scrap wood in the arena. Henny tripped over it also, so I couldn't get after her for that one.
Decided to give up on canter for the night - Riva just was not going forward enough. Was able to get her trot speed up after the canter tries, though. Worked a lot of 20 meter circles and changing diagonals. Worked some on walk/trot/halt transitions.
All in all, not a terrible ride. So much better than we were a few months ago. I just get a bit discouraged that we are not progressing more at the canter under saddle. I try not to worry about it - after all - I am still learning to cue the canter and ride it. She is still getting her balance with me on her. Just keep on asking and trying - that was Sarah's advise for the canter work.
Ok - who took the horse I had Sunday? Sunday - she was lovely on the lounge, and full of energy. Monday - not so much. Had to really get after her to get a canter and could not hold it long. L was already riding and no one else was in the arena. So she was not distracted - just Western Pleasure Pony.
Took her to the mounting block and got on. Riva walked off fine - went into trot easily, but it was not the energetic faster trot that I wanted. Had to keep after her constantly to almost get it. I asked for canter after some wam up trot work - was able to get the upward transition, but no good at keeping the canter more than on the long side. On the left rein, she threw in a buck at the canter as we got to the first corner - BAD MARE! I yelled and growled at her for that one and asked again. This time, she tripped on some scrap wood in the arena. Henny tripped over it also, so I couldn't get after her for that one.
Decided to give up on canter for the night - Riva just was not going forward enough. Was able to get her trot speed up after the canter tries, though. Worked a lot of 20 meter circles and changing diagonals. Worked some on walk/trot/halt transitions.
All in all, not a terrible ride. So much better than we were a few months ago. I just get a bit discouraged that we are not progressing more at the canter under saddle. I try not to worry about it - after all - I am still learning to cue the canter and ride it. She is still getting her balance with me on her. Just keep on asking and trying - that was Sarah's advise for the canter work.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Catching up!
Can't believe I have not blogged since last Wed! So, back up to last Thursday. L and I went alone to the barn - it was fairly nice out, not raining, and in the 50's. We decided to ride in the outdoor jumping arena for a change of pace. Riva was much better than she was out there on Tues. She was listening and not racing around with her head too high. She was fairly distracted by a certain gelding that she is in love with. He was being worked in the outdoor dressage arena, next to us. Was nice working in the jumping arena with L and Henny - much easier to stay out of each others way and lots of jumps to circle around, change direction, etc.
We just worked on trot mainly - was able to get her speed up on the long sides and collected on the shorter end. We probably could have worked some canter - but decided to wait till our next time outside. I also worked on her trot, walk, halt transitions. Went the entire arena, on both reins, with lots of t/w/h transitions. Riva did really well at this.
Did not go out Friday night - took the night off and went to see Gretchen Wilson in concert. Had a nice surprise and was able to go backstage to meet Gretchen, get my pic taken with her, and get her autograph. Awesome!
Sat Night - had planned to go out and ride, but started snowing in the afternoon and just could not get motivated - blah...
Lesson day Sunday! Was really excited and looking forward to it. Riva was a mud ball - could not even see the white on her legs when we got there. The horses were just being let in when we arrived. I let Riva eat some of her dinner then pulled her out to lunge before L started her lesson. Riva was great on the lunge - lots of energy - just one kinda naughty canter transition - head tossing, pulling, nothing too terrible. She wanted to canter, so worked on more transitions than normal and for longer stretches. Cleaned her up some and put her back to eat more while L had her lesson.
Our turn! S watched her walk and trot - she is really pleased with how Riva is going and loves her trot. S put some ground poles down and we worked on those on a circle - started with one and worked up to three. Riva really likes to work ground poles and did well. I really felt it helped with her right bend to work the trot poles on a circle. S encouraged me to work on this the next two weeks - not every ride - but she said this will start getting Riva up in her trot.
We then went to canter. S liked her transitions, and that Riva is going into them when asked. We easily got 1/2 arena without breaking out of canter. Another boarding was lounging her horse on one end our entire lesson - a horse that Riva does not like. When S told me to go full arena at canter, I yelled to the boarder that we were coming her way, but she is bad about keeping her horse out of the way. As we got near the other horse, Riva tried to kick out at the horse and ended up changing leads in mid-stride, I was not sure what happened and thought she was getting set to buck. So next time by, we made it thru the first corner by the lounging horse, but at the second corner, Riva tried to bite him in the butt and run into him. I hollered at her for that. Tried one last time to make it past the lounging horse - success! I was very determined, blocked her with my inside leg and rein and pushed her through with much yelling! It worked though :-)
S told me to keep working on canter - more she does it, the better she'll get. And to also work on trot poles. Next lesson she said we will also look at what shows L and I plan to go to and try and coordinate with shows she will be attending. So looking forward to the first show - S said we will be fine at Intro by mid-April.
We just worked on trot mainly - was able to get her speed up on the long sides and collected on the shorter end. We probably could have worked some canter - but decided to wait till our next time outside. I also worked on her trot, walk, halt transitions. Went the entire arena, on both reins, with lots of t/w/h transitions. Riva did really well at this.
Did not go out Friday night - took the night off and went to see Gretchen Wilson in concert. Had a nice surprise and was able to go backstage to meet Gretchen, get my pic taken with her, and get her autograph. Awesome!
Sat Night - had planned to go out and ride, but started snowing in the afternoon and just could not get motivated - blah...
Lesson day Sunday! Was really excited and looking forward to it. Riva was a mud ball - could not even see the white on her legs when we got there. The horses were just being let in when we arrived. I let Riva eat some of her dinner then pulled her out to lunge before L started her lesson. Riva was great on the lunge - lots of energy - just one kinda naughty canter transition - head tossing, pulling, nothing too terrible. She wanted to canter, so worked on more transitions than normal and for longer stretches. Cleaned her up some and put her back to eat more while L had her lesson.
Our turn! S watched her walk and trot - she is really pleased with how Riva is going and loves her trot. S put some ground poles down and we worked on those on a circle - started with one and worked up to three. Riva really likes to work ground poles and did well. I really felt it helped with her right bend to work the trot poles on a circle. S encouraged me to work on this the next two weeks - not every ride - but she said this will start getting Riva up in her trot.
We then went to canter. S liked her transitions, and that Riva is going into them when asked. We easily got 1/2 arena without breaking out of canter. Another boarding was lounging her horse on one end our entire lesson - a horse that Riva does not like. When S told me to go full arena at canter, I yelled to the boarder that we were coming her way, but she is bad about keeping her horse out of the way. As we got near the other horse, Riva tried to kick out at the horse and ended up changing leads in mid-stride, I was not sure what happened and thought she was getting set to buck. So next time by, we made it thru the first corner by the lounging horse, but at the second corner, Riva tried to bite him in the butt and run into him. I hollered at her for that. Tried one last time to make it past the lounging horse - success! I was very determined, blocked her with my inside leg and rein and pushed her through with much yelling! It worked though :-)
S told me to keep working on canter - more she does it, the better she'll get. And to also work on trot poles. Next lesson she said we will also look at what shows L and I plan to go to and try and coordinate with shows she will be attending. So looking forward to the first show - S said we will be fine at Intro by mid-April.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Will Spring Ever Arrive?
Sunday was such a nice change. Thought about lounging outside, but it was sprinkling when we arrived at the barn. Went thru our new normal routine of lounging first, then riding. L and one other rider were working also, so Riva was her normal mareish self - ear pinning at the boys - but focused 90% of the time. We just worked walk and trot - didn't attempt canter with the traffic.
When L and I finished up riding, we decided to walk and cool out the horses outside. L stayed on Henny and rode him around the property - I hand walked Riva. She was most interested in the little bit of grass that is appearing. She was relaxed - so was Henny. We decided to take them in to the jumping arena for a stroll also. Henny got excited and thought he was going to get to jump - poor guy. The sand in the arena was fresh from the rain - no hoofprints yet. I walked Riva in a straight line to check her tracking up - and she is doing awesome - her back feet land just a bit ahead of where her front feet hit - good girl! Trotted her in hand a bit - wow...she is really looking like a hunter - long low frame and head level - lovely :-)
Monday we arrived at the barn to a partially flooded indoor arena. With the hard rains the night before, it left a large puddle in one end of the arena. BO did not close one of the over head doors the night before, not thinking we were to get that much rain. So, no lounging last night. Hopped on and got Riva working. One other rider and L also - so we were a bit cramped. Too cold and wet to try outside - so we did our best. Shortened our ride - lots of trot work, transitions, worked on speeding up the trot on the long sides and collecting on the short sides.
I plan to spend some time tonight working in hand on Riva's right bend - she is getting better - doesn't counter bend but still stiff. Want to also work on her turn on the forehand from the ground to translate under saddle. So tempting though just to ride - I waited so long to be able to. But I know the exercises on the ground will only make her better under saddle.
When L and I finished up riding, we decided to walk and cool out the horses outside. L stayed on Henny and rode him around the property - I hand walked Riva. She was most interested in the little bit of grass that is appearing. She was relaxed - so was Henny. We decided to take them in to the jumping arena for a stroll also. Henny got excited and thought he was going to get to jump - poor guy. The sand in the arena was fresh from the rain - no hoofprints yet. I walked Riva in a straight line to check her tracking up - and she is doing awesome - her back feet land just a bit ahead of where her front feet hit - good girl! Trotted her in hand a bit - wow...she is really looking like a hunter - long low frame and head level - lovely :-)
Monday we arrived at the barn to a partially flooded indoor arena. With the hard rains the night before, it left a large puddle in one end of the arena. BO did not close one of the over head doors the night before, not thinking we were to get that much rain. So, no lounging last night. Hopped on and got Riva working. One other rider and L also - so we were a bit cramped. Too cold and wet to try outside - so we did our best. Shortened our ride - lots of trot work, transitions, worked on speeding up the trot on the long sides and collecting on the short sides.
I plan to spend some time tonight working in hand on Riva's right bend - she is getting better - doesn't counter bend but still stiff. Want to also work on her turn on the forehand from the ground to translate under saddle. So tempting though just to ride - I waited so long to be able to. But I know the exercises on the ground will only make her better under saddle.
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