...to own this horse :-) I feel blessed every day that I wake up knowing I have this incredible horse (ok, some days I call her bad names) to ride and work with. Even when I get to the barn and all 4 white legs are covered in black mud - she is all mine. At least I know she was out enjoying her pasture and social time!
Just one other rider last night. Riva does so much better when she is the only one in the arena or just one other rider is working. More than one, and she feels like she has to defend her territory. Worked her on the lounge first. It has really helped this week to get her moving out right away - faster trot - faster canter. Working her longer at the canter and doing several trot / canter transititons.
Hopped on and she was forward and asking to canter after one circle around the arena on the left rein. Let her go into canter and we made it half arena. Worked more on trot and switched her to right rein. Got the canter transition to the right but couldn't get her to sustain in. So I concentrated on trot and walk - worked on some circles and direction change.
Once the other rider left the arena, P came out to help encourage the canter. Got her going on both leads - much better with him on the ground with the lounge whip. Finished up by working on some leg yields. Took her down the center line and asked for a few steps of leg yield, both directions, about 3 times down the center line. Tried in trot and walk. She did well - much better on the left leg yield to the right, but did some decent right leg yields to the left.
Riva was eager to work and finished up strong. Was surprised that she coorperated on the leg yields at the end. Normally, when I try to work anything in walk at the end, she thinks she is done. But she kept working - good girl!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Girl is Growing Up!
Past 2 evenings have been great rides with Riva. Since our lesson Sunday, she has been forward and listening. Trot speed is so much better and canter is coming easier. I know my confidence is growing also, which only helps Riva.
Last night, just myself and one other rider were in the arena. The other horse is one of Riva/s 'boyfriends', meaning she loves and hates him at the same time. She pinned her ears twice at him, when she thought he was in her personal space - but other than that, she was focused and working. We got in canter on both leads - about 3/4 of the arena each direction. Lots of really nice trot work and circles.
Tonight, two other riders in the arena. Riva was much more 'mareiss' - lifting her head and pinning ears, trying to veer into them, etc. Kept working - got one canter each directions and quite a bit of good trot work again. 20 meter circles were a little tougher tonight on the left rein again, but once she got it, they were good.
I do love this horse! She is a blast - always makes me think and work - I am blessed to have this girl :-)
Last night, just myself and one other rider were in the arena. The other horse is one of Riva/s 'boyfriends', meaning she loves and hates him at the same time. She pinned her ears twice at him, when she thought he was in her personal space - but other than that, she was focused and working. We got in canter on both leads - about 3/4 of the arena each direction. Lots of really nice trot work and circles.
Tonight, two other riders in the arena. Riva was much more 'mareiss' - lifting her head and pinning ears, trying to veer into them, etc. Kept working - got one canter each directions and quite a bit of good trot work again. 20 meter circles were a little tougher tonight on the left rein again, but once she got it, they were good.
I do love this horse! She is a blast - always makes me think and work - I am blessed to have this girl :-)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Re-Cap of Monday's Ride
No riding tonight - P working late and L's at work. Hate to go alone, esp when it is cold.
Yesterday evening's ride was great! Back up first. Riva was in quite a mood when we arrived. It was cold - she was wet (thank you very much mom for not putting a blanket back on Sunday night!). Normally, Riva is ready to get out of her stall when I arrive. I walked in as usual, clipped on her lead rope and expected her to happily follow me out in the aisle. Diva ignored my tug on the lead line first - then pinned her ears at me - then backed up into the corner and grew about 2 hands...bad mare. Had P hand me a crop - gave her a smack - and she changed her mind and followed me out. She was not on her best behaviour to be groomed - but not horrible.
Tacked up and put her on the lounge. She proceeded to be lazy and mopey - listening, but in Western Pleasure horse mode. I couldn't get her trot speed up to the right and definitely could not get canter. Asked P to come out to help me. He shortened the lounge line and when Riva did not step up her trot speed, he gave her a whack from the long whip on the butt - that got her attention! She picked up a nice extended trot and canter. I took her back and had no trouble from then on. Switched to the left lead - no problem. Riva went nicely in trot and canter. Seemed to be reminded why that whip is in my hand!
Hopped up to work under saddle and the Diva was forward and ready to go. It was just L on Henny and us. Riva was wonderful and she did not even 'pull faces' as Sarah calls it at Hennessy - yeah! I put her right into a nice speed of trot and pretty quickly asked for canter on the left lead. I worked several transitions from trot to canter on the left lead - she responed well - never kept it going a full arena, but I felt good because she picked up canter every time I asked and was controlled and eager to go.
I switched her to right lead and had the same horse - forward and offering canter pretty quickly. Worked on lots of upward transitions, while I had energy and forward going. Still never got a full circle - but I felt all the transitions were good.
We then worked on 20 meter circles, with lots of change of rein. Threw in some changes on the diagonal. Gave Riva some strechey trots to relax and stretch. Not much walk - she tends to lose momentum and think we are done working. Also was able to get her to extend and pick up her trot speed on the long sides of the arena a few times - esp on the left rein. Good on the right rein also with collection on the short sides. Still better on the left rein.
Finished up with some right rein circles - trying for bend and to get her pushed out on larger circles. I felt some good moments where I could get her to tip her nose in and bend. Also worked a few turns on the haunches. Without help on the ground, these were not as good as during our lesson. I plan to work on these in hand next time - I know she understands this - and then try and translate to under saddle. Same with right bend - want to work on reinforcing in hand next time.
All in all - I was thrilled with how she did after working so hard in her lesson the night before. Probably not a bad idea for her to have today off.
Yesterday evening's ride was great! Back up first. Riva was in quite a mood when we arrived. It was cold - she was wet (thank you very much mom for not putting a blanket back on Sunday night!). Normally, Riva is ready to get out of her stall when I arrive. I walked in as usual, clipped on her lead rope and expected her to happily follow me out in the aisle. Diva ignored my tug on the lead line first - then pinned her ears at me - then backed up into the corner and grew about 2 hands...bad mare. Had P hand me a crop - gave her a smack - and she changed her mind and followed me out. She was not on her best behaviour to be groomed - but not horrible.
Tacked up and put her on the lounge. She proceeded to be lazy and mopey - listening, but in Western Pleasure horse mode. I couldn't get her trot speed up to the right and definitely could not get canter. Asked P to come out to help me. He shortened the lounge line and when Riva did not step up her trot speed, he gave her a whack from the long whip on the butt - that got her attention! She picked up a nice extended trot and canter. I took her back and had no trouble from then on. Switched to the left lead - no problem. Riva went nicely in trot and canter. Seemed to be reminded why that whip is in my hand!
Hopped up to work under saddle and the Diva was forward and ready to go. It was just L on Henny and us. Riva was wonderful and she did not even 'pull faces' as Sarah calls it at Hennessy - yeah! I put her right into a nice speed of trot and pretty quickly asked for canter on the left lead. I worked several transitions from trot to canter on the left lead - she responed well - never kept it going a full arena, but I felt good because she picked up canter every time I asked and was controlled and eager to go.
I switched her to right lead and had the same horse - forward and offering canter pretty quickly. Worked on lots of upward transitions, while I had energy and forward going. Still never got a full circle - but I felt all the transitions were good.
We then worked on 20 meter circles, with lots of change of rein. Threw in some changes on the diagonal. Gave Riva some strechey trots to relax and stretch. Not much walk - she tends to lose momentum and think we are done working. Also was able to get her to extend and pick up her trot speed on the long sides of the arena a few times - esp on the left rein. Good on the right rein also with collection on the short sides. Still better on the left rein.
Finished up with some right rein circles - trying for bend and to get her pushed out on larger circles. I felt some good moments where I could get her to tip her nose in and bend. Also worked a few turns on the haunches. Without help on the ground, these were not as good as during our lesson. I plan to work on these in hand next time - I know she understands this - and then try and translate to under saddle. Same with right bend - want to work on reinforcing in hand next time.
All in all - I was thrilled with how she did after working so hard in her lesson the night before. Probably not a bad idea for her to have today off.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Lesson afternoon!
After a month without ... L and I got our lessons! We both had productive, fun lessons and things to work on for the next two weekds. Sarah had me show her Riva's trot both ways as we warmed up - said she is very happy with the way she is going, holding her head, tracking up - she said she sees much improvement in the past few months.
Sarah had us first work on some 20 m circles, both directions. Then, had us circle one way, as we come around the circle to switch to a few strides straight and then change the direction and bend. I had trouble with this one, and Riva struggled with it - something to work on the next 2 weeks. Riva had about zero bend on her right rein trot. I think I will work in some short reining over the next 2 weeks to help work on her end. Then we did some work on turn on the haunches. Sarah had us work in a square - walk forward, halt, turn on the haunches in and repeat all 4 sides of the square. I don't know that Riva quite understood this and was a bit annoyed. I think I will work her in hand on this some in the next two weeks and reinforce under saddle. Riva knows how to do it from the ground work we have done. I just need her to figure it out under saddle. Then we went to canter. First of all, by this time, a boarder was at one end lunging her horse. Not just any horse - one that Riva dislikes. So Sarah said to get Riva trotting and ask for canter at C - this was on the left lead. First time around, I lost my right stirrup and just could not cue her correctly. Try again - success! We had an entire lap of the areana - all 4 corners. First time ever and Sarah didn't have to chase Riva with the lounge whip - yeah! We switched to right lead - got an entire lap on the rein also, after a few attempts. I was thrilled!
I feel more confident each time I canter Riva. I am feeling more secure and Riva is not rushing in to it or head tossing, bucking, kicking, etc. We cantered past the hated boarder horse, on both leads, and Riva made no attempt to run into or over him - Yeah girlie! Course now P says - see you can canter in traffic...that is with my super trainer there cheering me on...we will see. I told Sarah she needs to make me a recording that I can play on my MP3 while I ride. Or maybe listen to while I sleep and the subliminal messages will become ingraved in my mind.
L had a fab lesson also. They worked on getting Henny to lower his head at the canter. Sarah had her get him really moving on a 20 m circle, with L in 2-point. I don't know how L does it - I would have been off Henny after half a lap, fast as he was moving. Anyway - sure helped. Henny and L had a few lovely moments of canter with his head done. Certainly something for them to work on the next few weeks.
P took video of my lesson. Will get that up the next few days.
Sarah had us first work on some 20 m circles, both directions. Then, had us circle one way, as we come around the circle to switch to a few strides straight and then change the direction and bend. I had trouble with this one, and Riva struggled with it - something to work on the next 2 weeks. Riva had about zero bend on her right rein trot. I think I will work in some short reining over the next 2 weeks to help work on her end. Then we did some work on turn on the haunches. Sarah had us work in a square - walk forward, halt, turn on the haunches in and repeat all 4 sides of the square. I don't know that Riva quite understood this and was a bit annoyed. I think I will work her in hand on this some in the next two weeks and reinforce under saddle. Riva knows how to do it from the ground work we have done. I just need her to figure it out under saddle. Then we went to canter. First of all, by this time, a boarder was at one end lunging her horse. Not just any horse - one that Riva dislikes. So Sarah said to get Riva trotting and ask for canter at C - this was on the left lead. First time around, I lost my right stirrup and just could not cue her correctly. Try again - success! We had an entire lap of the areana - all 4 corners. First time ever and Sarah didn't have to chase Riva with the lounge whip - yeah! We switched to right lead - got an entire lap on the rein also, after a few attempts. I was thrilled!
I feel more confident each time I canter Riva. I am feeling more secure and Riva is not rushing in to it or head tossing, bucking, kicking, etc. We cantered past the hated boarder horse, on both leads, and Riva made no attempt to run into or over him - Yeah girlie! Course now P says - see you can canter in traffic...that is with my super trainer there cheering me on...we will see. I told Sarah she needs to make me a recording that I can play on my MP3 while I ride. Or maybe listen to while I sleep and the subliminal messages will become ingraved in my mind.
L had a fab lesson also. They worked on getting Henny to lower his head at the canter. Sarah had her get him really moving on a 20 m circle, with L in 2-point. I don't know how L does it - I would have been off Henny after half a lap, fast as he was moving. Anyway - sure helped. Henny and L had a few lovely moments of canter with his head done. Certainly something for them to work on the next few weeks.
P took video of my lesson. Will get that up the next few days.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
First lunge outside for 2011
Can't believe it - but we lounged outside, in Feb., in wind - and all went well! Got Diva ready to lounge and the sawdust bedding truck arrived. So P suggested I lounge her outside while the sawduct truck was in the arena. Umm - ok...BO had just come in from lounging her horse, who is a mare also, and older and said she was crazy. But I'll try! Riva was a rock star - was a little looky at everything but did great. Had to start with words and whip to get a few transitions, then switched to just whip and body language and she listened! Success!
Took her back inside to ride, since the sawdust truck was leaving. And it was getting chilly and dark outside. Got on and put her to work at the trot - circles, lots of change of rein across the diagonal. No one else was in the arena so we could change it up a lot. Riva was not as forward as last night - but was listening. We worked on lengthening and speeding up the trot on the long sides and collecting on the ends - she did really well on both reins. Threw in some stretchy trot - just using legs, seat, and shoulders to turn - still good. Tried to put her thru the old Intro A dressage test - was doing really well until half-way thru the free walk - I think Riva just does not get the point of all that walking,...ie, she gets bored.
P came out and we tried a few canter transitions - she was great! Did two on each lead - kept it on the long sides of the arena, but lost it in the corners. Hoping to work more on her canter this Sunday during our lesson.
All in all - great rides the past two nights. Still smiling!
Took her back inside to ride, since the sawdust truck was leaving. And it was getting chilly and dark outside. Got on and put her to work at the trot - circles, lots of change of rein across the diagonal. No one else was in the arena so we could change it up a lot. Riva was not as forward as last night - but was listening. We worked on lengthening and speeding up the trot on the long sides and collecting on the ends - she did really well on both reins. Threw in some stretchy trot - just using legs, seat, and shoulders to turn - still good. Tried to put her thru the old Intro A dressage test - was doing really well until half-way thru the free walk - I think Riva just does not get the point of all that walking,...ie, she gets bored.
P came out and we tried a few canter transitions - she was great! Did two on each lead - kept it on the long sides of the arena, but lost it in the corners. Hoping to work more on her canter this Sunday during our lesson.
All in all - great rides the past two nights. Still smiling!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Can't quit smiling!
I wish I had a video of the big smile I had on my face when Riva picked up her first trot under saddle tonight...I have my girl back and I could not be happier! Much as I appreciate the fact of having Cheers or Hennessy to ride the past week, nothing takes the place of my own horse. It was like floating on a cloud!
Started Riva on the lounge first tonight - even though L and two other riders were out in the arena. I didn't want to chance immediately getting on, after a week off of lounging or riding. She was kinda lazy on the lounge surprisingly. Had to keep after her to move out. Started her to the right first tonight, which I always start to the left. That kinda confused her, but she did fine at w/t/c. When I switched her to the left rein, I had the best canter that I have ever gotten out of her on the lounge.
Got on, and the girl was ready to go - very forward. I keep reading that you have to ride the horse you have tonight. Well that horse wanted to trot and trot fast! So we worked first on trot/walk transititions - walk a few strides, trot a few strides, walk a few strides. That settled her and got her listening. Then moved up to faster trot on the long sides of the arena, more collected on the short sides. Had fabulous fast trot on the left rein - no breaking to canter or throwing her head. Right rein was good - but not as good as left.
Had one bad moment tonight. I was giving her a walk break on a loose rein and she decided to charge at Hennessy - teeth barred - like I was not even up there! Bad, bad mare...I do not know what gets in to her sometimes. So of course the rest of our ride, I had to keep tight contact when going near Hennessy and the other horse that was still working.
Good news was she seemed to forget she ever gave me any trouble on a 20 meter circle on the left rein - did all that asked her to do tonight with ease and no 'back talk', She gave me some trouble with the first right 20 meter circle though, always something! But we worked thru it and ended on a good note.
Decided not to try canter tonight - esp after the mare moment with Hennessy. Will hope I have the arena to myself tomorrow night and can work on.
Here are a few still shots from tonight - kinda blurred - taken with P's cell cameraL
Started Riva on the lounge first tonight - even though L and two other riders were out in the arena. I didn't want to chance immediately getting on, after a week off of lounging or riding. She was kinda lazy on the lounge surprisingly. Had to keep after her to move out. Started her to the right first tonight, which I always start to the left. That kinda confused her, but she did fine at w/t/c. When I switched her to the left rein, I had the best canter that I have ever gotten out of her on the lounge.
Got on, and the girl was ready to go - very forward. I keep reading that you have to ride the horse you have tonight. Well that horse wanted to trot and trot fast! So we worked first on trot/walk transititions - walk a few strides, trot a few strides, walk a few strides. That settled her and got her listening. Then moved up to faster trot on the long sides of the arena, more collected on the short sides. Had fabulous fast trot on the left rein - no breaking to canter or throwing her head. Right rein was good - but not as good as left.
Had one bad moment tonight. I was giving her a walk break on a loose rein and she decided to charge at Hennessy - teeth barred - like I was not even up there! Bad, bad mare...I do not know what gets in to her sometimes. So of course the rest of our ride, I had to keep tight contact when going near Hennessy and the other horse that was still working.
Good news was she seemed to forget she ever gave me any trouble on a 20 meter circle on the left rein - did all that asked her to do tonight with ease and no 'back talk', She gave me some trouble with the first right 20 meter circle though, always something! But we worked thru it and ended on a good note.
Decided not to try canter tonight - esp after the mare moment with Hennessy. Will hope I have the arena to myself tomorrow night and can work on.
Here are a few still shots from tonight - kinda blurred - taken with P's cell cameraL
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