It was hailing as I tacked up Ace this morning, so I put on his Linus blanket and expected some fear of pain, which would be normal in those conditions.
True enough, I got on and he backed up stamping a hind foot and just about threatening to go up. I know from how he is out on hacks and how soft and spongy his back is that he is in no pain, so I got up enough gumption to tap him with the whip and send him forwards. He walked off nicely. For a side and a half, his walk was not as free as it can be, then he realised there was no pain and did some lovely walk and trot work with no issues at all. I did think about asking for canter, but I decided that since I am still seeing daily changes in the orientation of his front feet, that it is too soon. I have started shoulder physio, as suggested by a friend. (You know who you are :-)
I also schooled Radar for two reasons. Firstly, I didn't want him left with bad feelings from yesterday evening. Secondly, I wanted to see how I could calm him down without using the bit. There are two ways that work. The first is to circle, but he really does keep cantering on a five metre circle, so even that isn't foolproof! The second is to hold my hands really, really high. Of course he also holds his head high then too, though he does drop it in time. But with his head high, he does a controlled trot with a controlled canter transition. Any horse physiology experts out there want to suggest why that keeps him calm?
Its been a good morning. I become ever more confident that Ace is fixed, which is also allowing me to enjoy Radar more. Fingers crossed for hunting weather for Saturday.
The only thing I know about a high hand is that it actually uses the bit more correctly by putting pressure on the mouth and not the bars. Could be it's more comfortable for him and makes the bit more effective because he can't really take hold of it. I just read an article somewhere...Dressage Today?...suggesting using turns on the forehand to soften a horse to the bit and the trainer, along with several other experts, mentioned that you need to hold your hand high to get the horse to soften.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the lifting of the hand can be part of a correction for a horse that holds its head crooked, or to get a horse to soften in the shoulder in. Back or down pushes on the bars and allows the horse to lean on your hand.
Very interesting interaction with Ace. Every time he anticipates pain and discovers there is none is a big plus for his retraining. Good idea to wait on the canter until he is more fit, both physically and mentally.
I'd be happy if he was in a nice shape with it, Jean, but I head is too high. It just seems to prevent him from dashing off without using much contact on the bit and that keeps him mentally calm, so he settles to the rhythm.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather a bad outline than pulling on his mouth though, so I'll try it for a while and see what happens.
C