I didn't mean for Windy to "replace" Jazz, but the fact is that it is like someone has wound the video tape back to May and given me him back. Not only does he look just like him but his character is identical too - sensitive, talkative, very attention seeking. I didn't realise how much I still missed Jazz, and how the other boys, superb horses as they are, simply don't "do it" for me character-wise. Windy has fallen slap bang into a gaping great hole in my life, so much so that he has brought tears to my eyes this morning. He is adorable.
I have ridden him, just for a few minutes. His back was pudding soft and he seemed happy enough so I thought I might as well. He was quiet and sweet. He is sound in trot on a circle, but he is very "cramped" in the shoulders. His back end stride and action is fantastic, but the front does not match. I'm guessing this is because it has been so long since he was comfortable on his front feet when working properly.
He already looks more solid on his feet today and has stopped standing with his weight into his toes, so now I need ideas for the best exercises to release his shoulders, please, bearing in mind that he currently thinks dressage is for wusses that don't showjump :-) I intend to persuade him otherwise in the coming weeks :-) :-) :-)
I rode Radar for the exercise, so I wasn't bothered much that he didn't settle well to the work. We spend a long time trying to get trot circle left without him dropping the bend and he'd had a proper workout before he decided to do it nicely.
I tossed up whether to ride Ace or not. Against, was the fact that he was certain to be unsettled by Windy being new to the herd. For, was the fact that he is a grown-up now and he has to learn that his attention needs to be on me no matter what distractions there may be around him. So I rode. He threw the lot at me, and attempted to rear a number of times, prevented only by the draw reins. He didn't win, calmed down, and finished on some trot, which I sat to, which was probably the most powerful, true forward, balanced trot he has ever given me. It was superb.
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Ohmigosh, this post brought a tear to my eye too. What an ironic and happy coincidence all at the same time...perhaps some greater power is at work here.
ReplyDeleteShoulder in, of course, but you have to teach him to move correctly from the leg and rein aid. Thinking to that my exercise of "circle in, circle out," would help.
Start at the walk, say on the left rein, making sure you use "inside leg to outside rein," circle to the left (Can be 10 meters). As you finish the circle, start pushing your right leg to your left hand...this is to change the bend to make a cirle right. Now the left rein is the new outside rein and you ride "right leg to outside rein." Repeat going back to the left again. As you do this make a kind of "chain" of circles all around the arena, circle in, circle out.
Square turns, using the outside rein to bring his shoulder over will help. So you make a square instead of a circle. Pushing the inside hind under on the turn will help put his weight back on his haunches and lift the "earthbound" shoulder.
Start developing the walk pirouette, again getting the front end to move around the hind.
Walk, halt, reinback, walk, pause, reinback, etc. might help the longitudinal movement of the shoulder release. But do be careful that he doesn't start to think that every time you halt he should rein back.
Once you get all the exercises set at the walk, do them at the trot with the same focus and goals.
Square corners at the canter can help as well.
Leg yields can, of course, always be used to develop the lateral flexibility and, since the shoulder always leads a little, that lateral motion will help free it.
How about some in hand stretches. Just pick up a front leg and gently pull it forward. Windy will quickly let you know if it feels good by "helping." You can work on getting him to move his shoulders side to side in hand as well, teaching him to "step over" from slight hand pressure. Massaging his muscles might help too. (Jack Meagher's book, "Beating Muscle Injuries in Horses," has some great information about that. Here is a link to an article about one massage technique that might help a bit: http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/loosen-tight-posterior-pectoral-muscles-in-your-horses-girth-area-with-equine-sports-massage/)
I would guess that both Ace and Radar are a little riled up by Windy's presence. But you are right, Ace, especially, needs to work through the emotional upheaval if he's ever to really grow up.
Happy and smiling here at all your positive vibes...even with the nostalgic tear...*S*
Thanks Jean, in hand stretches is a great idea which had not even occurred to me. We'll be starting some of those exercises tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteC