The arena was covered with two inches of snow, but I couldn't see any reason to ride Ace indoors so we gave it a try. I was very surprised that he was not spooky because he's never been on it with snow on it before. I thought at the very least he would spook when balls of snow came out of his feet, but no. He did kick out a couple of times early on, but nothing serious. Then he did some nice canter, some trot shoulder-in, some trot leg-yield, some walk trot transitions, some trot lengthening (he's going to be good at that!) and it was all pretty good stuff.
I finished as I always do with him, with a relaxed walk. He will not relax straight away. What I have to do is ask him to go long and low, and he curls under. I keep the contact and keep him curled under as long as his back is free, and keep walking. Soon he begins to stretch out forwards, which I reward him for with my voice and ask for more by saying "out". It has only taken him a short while to realise that if he stretches out forwards without raising his head or changing his rythmn that I will be very pleased, and we will stop. Next I have to work out how I get it without the voice aid, because it's a superb free walk for a test situation but I can't use my voice then.
I'm not sure we'll get to the hunt this Saturday, the weather is very dodgy!
C
There are all kinds of verbal signals you can use that no one can hear in the dressage arena. I used to "hiss" to get Tucker to canter, and "purr" to get him to transition down. It's all under my breath and nothing anyone but my horse can hear.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought is to rub his wither a little with your thumb/hand as you let the rein out. For now, use the word, rub and soon the two will mean the same thing. Then the rub can become encouragement for stretch down at other gaits.
(US tests have a stretch down trot in some tests.)
Glad the snow did not put Ace off his game. He's growing up too!
Aha, the tricks of a seasoned campaigner!
ReplyDeleteWe have some trot stretches too Jean.
C
Brr, snow. Not here yet, but plenty of rain to fill up the ditches and ponds. I have only ridden a couple of times in the past two weeks as the field is sodden.
ReplyDeleteI bet you are so pleased with your arena.
Judith I am like a spoiled little princess! I am loving every minute I ride on it even in the wind, the cold, the rain and the snow. I can't believe my luck.
ReplyDelete