I managed to school two today. Woody first. I started him off on the right rein because he is almost settled on the right rein now. When I changed to the left, still in walk, he was resistant and raised his head. I raised my hands level with his mouth and we did a circuit like that, then he wiggled his bum out sideways and when I brought his shoulders back in front of his hind legs, he exploded backwards across the arena insisting that he cannot possibly go forwards into the rein on the left. I had to keep him away from the boards, otherwise he threatens to fall over them down the bank when he runs backwards. I kept him moving forwards, with the whip, there was no other choice. Then he suddenly gave in and started to walk quite well on the left on a circle. These panicky/stroppy episodes get shorter and shorter and will soon disappear altogether I think. We followed with some trot and some trot/walk /trot transitions. It is not easy to keep him in front of my leg, he would rather curl back under me, but he does get there. We finished today with the beginnings of a stretch out and down on a long rein in trot. That's a first and I was very pleased to end on that.
I brought Radar out and he was just .... perfect. A perfect walk, repeated on the other rein, which he has never started with before. Some marvellous walk serpentines with a wonderful change of bend in each direction. A fantastic "tick-tock" trot, which he repeated on the other rein and kept on a figure of eight, also a first. And a couple of circuits on each rein of a balanced canter. We came back to trot and I asked for some shoulder in, just to use up a bit more time. I can't recall ever asking for shoulder in in trot before, except maybe to calm down an over-excited trot, and he did them on each rein absolutely perfectly. I was quite stunned. And although we had only been out there 15 minutes or so, it really didn't seem to make sense to carry on, so I didn't.
Tomorrow I hope to have the weather in my favour to do a decent schooling session on Ace, though in view of his recent high spirits I'll have the air jacket on!
C
As I recall, about a year ago, you despaired that Radar would never school well in the arena.
ReplyDeleteWell, not that you've sorted all that out, I'm more than sure you will have Woody sorted out in much less time. Not only have your skills improved--with much help from your varied horses--but so have your expectations. I love the positive attitude you have taken on regarding your Boys's talents. You now have faith you can make them all into well trained horses and are well on your way.
Smiling with you as I think of that ride on Radar!!