She can't hold frame yet for more than one stride at a walk. Sometimes 2, but not consistent yet. So it's a work in progress. Working to the right she is starting to get more comfortable but she seems to always start with tipping her nose to the left and then it's :"oh yeah, I can do that!" So some progress there.
Then we went over to my little mini trail course and rode her through it but added a side pass in both directions over top of one of the slabs. And found another big hole in her training. She gets anxious. She wants to back up. She tucks her head to her chest even on a loose rein. So I worked her with forward and lateral motion to get her to understand that yes she can physically do this now. After that, instead of going back to the side pass, I let her dwell a bit, just standing there, chilling out and relaxing.
Gussie is an emotional mare. Keeping her mind with me is more important than getting correct movement.
We went for a little jaunt to the pond and up though the woods, just enjoying the day.
Pausing and soaking up the moment and reflecting on what to do next is not a popular skill on social media. This was a lesson for me yesterday with some of the posts on social media that could have escalated, but I pondered over night and it really helped me to sort things out. So today, when Gussie got rattled over a simple task the she used to do quite well, it helped to think about that and just stop, reflect, breathe and relax, which also gave me a happy and relaxed horse.
Near the end of the ride I went back to the side pass with forward motion, and broke it down to straight sideways, only asking for a couple of steps sideways each way, and when she got it we ended the lesson there, again with a long pause of just sitting there enjoying the moment.
Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring!
Riding day 22
4 comments:
Great title & post! I often remind myself to "practice the pause" doing it in the heat of the moment is easier said then done. As you know, anyone can call themselves a trainer. Many over train (and only train) for their specific need. Repeatedly, at the expense of the horse. Horses end up unbalanced/injured and more or less wrecked. I am so happy Gussie is in your knowledgeable caring hands, and that you are both flourishing from pausing for the cause.
I often end on the first time we execute something new and reward the try, then let him think about it. He internalizes what he did and then when we try it in our next ride, he not only understands what I want but has a much better idea of how to do it.
An emotional horse. I have one, too, as you know. Leah. My trainer worked her last night and I noticed she was giving her lots of long pauses. Every time they picked back up, Leah did better. I agree about it being more important getting their minds than correct movement. 100%!!
Pausing is good, just be in the moment! Gussie will come along in time and with your patience and love she will be great! :)
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