The Circle of Death

We went riding yesterday. It was windy when we got there and I had my reservations but Duke did not seem to care or notice. Even when a large branch broke and fell less then 100 feet away he just watched it then went back to dozing. Yea for draft blood! We got him set up and ready pretty quickly and headed out to the arena.

I had planned on working on getting his butt back under him as we have been working his shoulders so much lately it felt like his butt was always trailing behind, especially in lateral work. The general idea was to do lots of transitions, as those have been lacking as well, and circles. We lounged and started right away with getting many, prompt transitions. I tried my side reins on him and they seem to fit ok. I was not sure since they are pony size but now I have another tool in the arsenal. He did well in them and it was easy to see he is starting to keep a natural inside bend in both directions! After a few rounds in the side reins I unhooked them and we schooled a gymnastic on the lounge that I had decided to ride that day. I lounged him at a walk and trot both ways through this a few times then went to saddle up.

 

 

( all above pictures are from 101 Jumping Exercises)

At the other end of the arena Andrew stacked six poles, three in two groups, about nine feet apart. Just as I was to get on N showed up. I hopped on and we proceeded to walk , trot, and randomly canter all at different intervals and focusing on promptness and correct ingagement. I did not worry about trying to frame him quite as much but I tried not to let him become a strung out giraffe. We did the circle multiple times in each direction and also picked up just one or two at a time as well to mix things up. N and Andrew also brought in and set up the rope gate to work on some lateral. I had opted to skip on the spurs since it was windy and I had not planned on much to any lateral. We struggled through the gate twice, once in each direction.

Take aways:

• Squeeze elbows in, especially the left one
• Lift outside hand to support shoulders (especially at the canter)
• Bumping is a dressage thing, it is to signal forward
• I need to use my leg more actively ^^^

I can't remember the other details. All in all Duke was a good boy and we had a good ride. I mentioned that I felt my legs felt weaker then I would like. We decided that riding in a hunt saddle with and with out stirrups would be good. I plan to follow through and work at posting and half seat and eventfully three point with the goal of 15 minutes a ride. I guess this will be my May challenge and see how it goes! The clinic is June 7-8 and I have no idea of which day/s and times I ride. That is also when Duke is being moved for a couple months to C's place.

 

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First real ride in the Kieffer

We headed out about 12:30, a little later then I had hoped but I got preoccupied sewing my saddle cover.

 

Almost done! Just need to attach/ finish the elastic!

I am super happy with how it came out! It is a little lumpy and bumpy but totally awesome! Love how much of the saddle it covers and protects.

We got to the ranch and Andrew spotted Mr right off. I decided to man up and go get him myself ( Andrew was wearing slippahs) and I have been slacking on my basic horse care since Andrew has been doing it all. I walked through a couple hundred yards of head high weeds to get my horse. I was almost in tears as I could not see my horse, therefore my direction, and I appear to be allergic to ALL THE THINGS. I caught my beast and almost hopped on him from a fallen tree but the tree was surrounded by evil weeds and I had so many stickers in my legs and butt and I did not feel like getting on without a helmet.

We made it to the hitching post and I decided I would survive ( not have a temper tantrum) only to realize I forgot my bridle. I found his regular bridle and an extra set of reins as we have been going in a Tom Thumb. We groomed up and carried on to the arena.

Before we got there I knew I had my job cut out for me. Andrew was carrying the saddle and went to place it on Duke. Duke threw a wild eye and proceeded to side pass like nobodies business you would swear he had never seen a saddle before. I stopped him and Andrew put the saddle on his back and he proceeded to rest a hoof and fall asleep.

Once in the arena I began to lunge him. And lunge we did. Most upward transitions resulted in bucking, flinging his body around and general shenanigans. At one point I had to let go of the line, with him bitted up, as I did not want to drag behind him and scare him. He stopped well but he was quite full of himself. I got him through all transions in both directions then bit him up loosely. He was still a bit full of himself but I tried to send him to work.

When it seemed like his brain had regain functioning, we saddled him up. I was nervous at first and I did hop off and walk a lap around with Duke to calm myself. I got back on (sans whip and spurs; the whip I forgot and the spurs I passed on ). He rode well but I never got his full attention. He did work well, but he did not give me the extra try he usually does.

We trot three times around posting in each direction, we worked on leg yielding as well. He is doing very well and anticipating it, as well as transitions. His haunches still trail behind us a lot but I hope with consistency and strength they will come along. I think he is getting stronger and coming along very well.

As far as the saddle goes I think it is amazing! It is a lot wider twist then I am used to but I was thrilled with our sitting trot. I was worried about the posting trot but it was fine! I feel like I am sitting in a true straight line from head to heel. It is really different compared to what I am used to feeling. We did not canter, I was a touch unnerved with his explosiveness on the lunge and the new saddle.

We finished up with trotting through the cavilettis raised at halfway with the fourth at full height. We went through a few times then called it quits when we went without hitting.

Really proud of myself for riding through my insecurities and Duke for trying.

 

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Doin da dressage

Duke and I had a nice ride yesterday. We worked on bending, transions, poles and general self carriage. In general Duke tries so hard to figure out what the crazy lady wants and how to do it. It was also our first time trying out spurs. I used Andrew's little nubby spurs and they seemed to work well.

 

It was also my second ride in my new boot, so needless to say I have band aids on my ankles.

Our bending is slowly improving, not quite through the whole body ( or half) yet, but incorporating self carriage and attempts to frame all at the same time is hard. We also tried some leg yielding too. It went as well as you would expect for our second try. He bends, and crosses over well in front but his butt trails out behind and to the inside, as to be expected. I am sure as we both get physically stronger it will become much easier. Our transitions are good, some are more prompt then others, but again never to late and with more muscle building they will only be cleaner and neater.

Our pole work was okay. Nothing special but I did not ask for much, they were more to help break up any monotony. We did canter our first pole though! I know he has jumped with the kids before but I would like to try to teach him how to jump properly rather then throw himself over the rails. I have been told many times he is better over the bigger (2'6") fences. Not gonna go there...

In other news welcome home Flower!

 

 

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