More confirmation today that it is the discipline of being made to do transitions exactly on the markers that is setting Ace off. His general demeanour is now right back to how it was before the grass came through, and he is bouncing like he used to then as well. His whole carriage is steadier and his mouth is more settled and his back is free and flexible.
Then I start the 'do it now, here' exercises and immediately he starts to sensitize to the blue barrels, and the faster the pace, the worse the reaction to the barrels gets. It's identical to when he competes. Stress makes him sensitive, and making him do movements on the markers (even though they are movements that he is physically totally capable of) causes him stress.
My program for the summer is now to desensitize him to the pressure of 'do it now, here' by repeating and repeating it, while also ignoring any adverse reaction that it creates.
Today I was gradually able to block him from skirting inwards at the barrels without causing any eruptions, which was a very good step in the right direction.
We are booked to do Intro A and Prelim 4 on Wednesday. That will be a fairly relaxed outing!
C
Very interesting observations. Never quite had that problem, mostly because I kind of taught "do it when I tell you" from the start. Well, excepting Tucker to whom I have always given leeway.
ReplyDeleteI think your idea of desensitizine as well as trying some of the easier tests so there's no pressure is an excellent idea. And a competition is really the only way to do it, ultimately. Otherwise it's difficult to discipline yourself to accepting a response a "little later" or when the horse is really ready.
Years ago, my hunter/jumper trainer taught me to expect my horse to respond to my aids whenever I gave them. There was no exception. I never worried about whether the horse was on the bit or balanced correctly. If I gave a canter aid, the horse was to canter, regardless. Guess the basics of that stuck with me into the dressage arena. Makes for some ugly transitions, but they are transitions.
Yes, that's the toss-up. Ugly transitions when you demand them, or better ones but inaccurate. It's not an easy choice with a young horse.
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and the not so good transition eventually becomes good with the consistent correct work, and in the meantime it is always done when you ask for it... i need to remind myself of this....and with Ace you know you can have good transitions, so you're just adding an extra to the mix.... which he'll get...
ReplyDeleteIt's not quite so straightforward though Claire. Some young horses are upset by unbalanced transitions. Ace used to buck if made to trot or canter before he was balanced for it.
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