Well, I am taking the advice I've been given, and backing down. Jimmy is only being walked under saddle now (bareback, mostly, because I'm still not convinced his back is 100%) for about 10-20 minutes.
Yesterday was the first day of it and since our arena hasn't been drug.....yet this year.... I was on him in the round pen. I asked him to have proper contact for about one time around, then he was allowed to stretch all the way down and "peanut roll" for another time around, then he was asked politely to come back up into contact, and for some baby lateral work side to side. Haunches in a few steps, straight, shoulder in a few steps. He remembered and did it rather beautifully. His contact goes to crap when I ask his legs to move laterally, but his legs and body move at least! I'm not as worried about the contact. Previously this battle was just that - a freakin' battle. He'd throw his head up in the air get light on the front end wiggle every-which-way to Memphis before FINALLY settling and doing one step in a haunches in. This time around he's got little to no resistance in his body, the only loss of contact is through his head and neck, his body stays completely engaged. I'm happy with a few steps of fussy-head lateral work with one or two steps in contact and I lean up and give him a rub beneath his mane.
After I did about 10 minutes on him little Lucy hopped on. We were both wearing shorts since it was so hot and I hadn't planned on letting her ride but he's so perfect and wonderful at the walk right now, I couldn't resist. So the second I asked if her helmet was in the car her eyes became the size of grapefruits and she about leaped off her feet to get it.
I legged her up and reminded her how to hold her reins (she hasn't ridden since November, and then she was just learning to post) and walked a few times around with her on the rail. Soon enough I wasn't holding Jimmy and she was in full control. It is such a proud moment when I see a student on my horse, and he just cradles them. If she starts to lean, he slowly graces himself under her to make sure she's alright.
After her 10 or so minutes of walking, we practiced her balance. This was her first time ever riding bareback, which I was very proud of her for being so brave. We learned the "touch your toes" stretch and then she had to lean up and touch Jimmy's ears & then lean back and touch his tail. She had to touch her toes once more before I let her slide off. I always give her the option of what side she wants to get off on - to try & trick her - but she's a smarty pants ;-) She always knows the right side and flips her leg off to slide down. Our routine once she gets off is to "Thank Jimmy" which I think is his favorite part - he stands and leans into her while she wraps her arms around his neck & gives him a BIG hug and says "THANK YOU JIMMY" and then once she pulls the reins over his head she gives him a kiss on the nose.
I love teaching her because she's such a great listener, and Jimmy really loves her. When we put him back outside in his field he tried to follow her out the gate :-) I'm a very proud mom and trainer.
No comments:
Post a Comment