We also schooled counter canter again, and its slowly getting better. He also gave me lead changes from the correct lead to counter canter in both directions. He gets grumpy going left to right, but did it. It's so much fun!
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The tales of an adult ammy hunter/jumper rider and her ponies
Showing posts with label counter canter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label counter canter. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Better and Better
Buddy's dressagy, lateral work just keep getting better and better. Our ride yesterday was great. He was fairly forward and willing to work which is always a plus! We schooled leg yield, and for the first time I felt him really step and cross over and move off of my left leg. It felt great, like a really dressage horse! He wasn't quite as good moving off my right leg, but now I know he can do it so its only a matter of time.
We also schooled counter canter again, and its slowly getting better. He also gave me lead changes from the correct lead to counter canter in both directions. He gets grumpy going left to right, but did it. It's so much fun!
We also schooled counter canter again, and its slowly getting better. He also gave me lead changes from the correct lead to counter canter in both directions. He gets grumpy going left to right, but did it. It's so much fun!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Stepping it up
This past week had been a whirlwind! My hours at work have been upped (good for the wallet, bad for pony time) and I've had dinners/parties to go to all weekend. I had a couple easy hacks with Buddy in which he was pretty good. Worked on his lateral work. Since I've been riding Phoenix I've realized that Bud's lateral work is seriously lacking. Phoenix has pretty decent leg yields, half passes, counter canter, and lead changes. When I was riding him all the time and showing, I didn't pay attention and realize just what nice lateral work he had. I've decided that there's no reason that Buddy can't have it too...or at least be better than he currently is.
One of things I loved to do with Phoenix was doing a flying change from the correct lead to counter canter. I once actually got him to do a three tempi change! It wasn't anything that would score in the dressage ring, but it was pretty fun. I was working on counter canter with Bud on Thursday and for fun asked him to switch from the correct lead to counter canter and HE DID IT!! I was shocked considering it was from right to left, which is usually his harder direction. I had him do a couple strides in counter canter than patted him and told him he was such a good boy. Now that I know he can do it, I'll start working on it more.
Saturday I set up a few fences in the outdoor, including a new pallet/brush box thing. We had some equipment deliveries at work, and they came on half pallets that to me looked like perfect jump filler. I drove my truck down to work and loaded one up. I plan to paint or stain it once the weather warms up so it will hold up better to the rain. I measured and it's right at 2'6".
Right when I was going to get on Saturday the sky opened up and poured so we moved inside. I brought the brush box in. I had it set next to a jump while we warmed up, and Buddy didn't so much as twitch an ear at it. We schooled over a vertical at first then added the box. Buddy jumped it no problem. I love that I can take him over new things and he doesn't care! We have a lesson with Jen on Thursday and the box will make an appearance there.
One of things I loved to do with Phoenix was doing a flying change from the correct lead to counter canter. I once actually got him to do a three tempi change! It wasn't anything that would score in the dressage ring, but it was pretty fun. I was working on counter canter with Bud on Thursday and for fun asked him to switch from the correct lead to counter canter and HE DID IT!! I was shocked considering it was from right to left, which is usually his harder direction. I had him do a couple strides in counter canter than patted him and told him he was such a good boy. Now that I know he can do it, I'll start working on it more.
Saturday I set up a few fences in the outdoor, including a new pallet/brush box thing. We had some equipment deliveries at work, and they came on half pallets that to me looked like perfect jump filler. I drove my truck down to work and loaded one up. I plan to paint or stain it once the weather warms up so it will hold up better to the rain. I measured and it's right at 2'6".
Right when I was going to get on Saturday the sky opened up and poured so we moved inside. I brought the brush box in. I had it set next to a jump while we warmed up, and Buddy didn't so much as twitch an ear at it. We schooled over a vertical at first then added the box. Buddy jumped it no problem. I love that I can take him over new things and he doesn't care! We have a lesson with Jen on Thursday and the box will make an appearance there.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Getting back to it
Buddy and I have our first lesson over fences in months on Thursday! We jumped a little on Sunday, and Buddy was great. I can tell he's missed jumping; he was in front of my leg from the moment I got on.
After my ride, Bud had a few hours off then Nik rode. He was better for her than he's ever been. She was able to get him to trot by herself for the first time. Since she was doing better, I put her on the lunge line and let her do a little canter. She's cantered another horse once and was bucked off, and then a different horse took off with her and she fell. She's understandably nervous about cantering. Bud was a little pissy at first; he shook his head and Nik got unseated, but stayed on. When we tried again, he picked it right up and was perfect for her. She loved it!
Bud had Monday off, then today we did a flat hack. We had some really nice extension in our trot work. While he's getting better at extending then coming back, I would still like him to be a little more balanced. I'm trying to stay tall with my body, and not let him drag me down. Bud had a little meltdown over counter canter. He wouldn't pick it up, then got cranky when I got after him with my crop. When he gets mad, he flips his head and tries to pull the reins away. I'm trying to make a big effort to keep my hands low and still during his tantrum. It seems to be working. After his tantrum our counter canter was ok, but not great. We'll keep working on it.
After my ride, Bud had a few hours off then Nik rode. He was better for her than he's ever been. She was able to get him to trot by herself for the first time. Since she was doing better, I put her on the lunge line and let her do a little canter. She's cantered another horse once and was bucked off, and then a different horse took off with her and she fell. She's understandably nervous about cantering. Bud was a little pissy at first; he shook his head and Nik got unseated, but stayed on. When we tried again, he picked it right up and was perfect for her. She loved it!
Bud had Monday off, then today we did a flat hack. We had some really nice extension in our trot work. While he's getting better at extending then coming back, I would still like him to be a little more balanced. I'm trying to stay tall with my body, and not let him drag me down. Bud had a little meltdown over counter canter. He wouldn't pick it up, then got cranky when I got after him with my crop. When he gets mad, he flips his head and tries to pull the reins away. I'm trying to make a big effort to keep my hands low and still during his tantrum. It seems to be working. After his tantrum our counter canter was ok, but not great. We'll keep working on it.
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