The increase in fluidity in Woody's movement which I saw so clearly yesterday has carried straight through into his schooling session today. His trot is longer and more fluid and he is much easier to keep in a constant rythmn. He also trotted circles very nicely. His canter is now reasonably straight and he managed to canter a 20m circle on each rein if I stayed in half seat. He can't quite carry my weight on his back, but he tried very hard. He has produced some lovely relaxed walk. He was sound on the tiniest circle in trot, which I did as a test. And he was a lot, lot straighter in all paces today.
He is also learning that he cannot simply stop and run backwards if he decides that he does not like the rein contact. After a few attempts to do just that, I could actually feel the cogs engaging in his brain as he said to himself "ah, she doesn't want me to do that, she wants me to sort out my balance, drop my nose and go forwards. OK, I'll do that instead". His self-corrections got quicker and quicker, and his over-reaction if I was forced to correct him - for example when he fell out of canter and ran into trot - got less and less.
This is only the third time, I think, that I have schooled him? He's doing absolutely brilliantly.
C
Once again, great news. That seems to be all you are posting lately, especially about Woody.
ReplyDeleteGreat that his physical abilities are developing, but what I really like is his attitude. He really tries hard to please. That makes him an even better horse. Fabulous.
No-one else is getting ridden Jean! Visitorsat the weekend and horrible weather today.
DeleteC