March.
In like a lion our like a lynx
This spring weather really stinks!
But...tomorrow is April! This must mean better weather! So this week we will have to surprise jumps to really test that we have our horses connected on both sides, straight, and obedient (aka narrow & spooky jumps) so be prepared! On a plus side, these jumps will both be soft if you come off into them...
The course will involve these jumps along with poles to create a technical course that will require rider's to make sure they have the horse's balance, attention and focus. Last week's course which finished on the same skinny grid it started on, really showed how much some horse's become a little less straight, and a little less attentive as they go through a course. It is really important to establish and use a reset button so every jump is taken with a balanced, straight and attentive horse!
Karen
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
This week in lessons
One of the main themes of the clinic was the importance of straightness. The horse needs its hind legs following in the tracks of its front legs in order to maximize its power and balance. This is important both for flat work and for jumping.
This week in lessons we are going to continue to work on this skill, both on the flat, and over fences.
Making it a habit to hack off the rail as much as possible really helps in this, as it forces you to use your outside leg and rein rather than the wall to keep your horse straight.
We will bring out the skinny boxes again, and use leg to keep the horse forward and straight to approach them without wiggling out either side. This is helped by looking UP as you will feel the wiggle sooner than if you look down and try to see it.
There will also be bending lines similar to in the clinic to work on turning straight to the first jump, then catching the horse with the outside leg to get it straight to jump two.
Karen
This week in lessons we are going to continue to work on this skill, both on the flat, and over fences.
Making it a habit to hack off the rail as much as possible really helps in this, as it forces you to use your outside leg and rein rather than the wall to keep your horse straight.
We will bring out the skinny boxes again, and use leg to keep the horse forward and straight to approach them without wiggling out either side. This is helped by looking UP as you will feel the wiggle sooner than if you look down and try to see it.
There will also be bending lines similar to in the clinic to work on turning straight to the first jump, then catching the horse with the outside leg to get it straight to jump two.
Karen
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
This week in lessons
This week is a short week for lessons, with the clinic starting on Friday! I have a schedule mostly done, although it is likely Sunday's will change, just waiting to hear from one person.
For the flat portion of lessons we will be working on counter canter around an end/corner. To do this well, and to not let it turn into a wrong lead, it is really important to not let the horse get quicker, or let the inside shoulder drop. To help with both these things is a strong supporting "inside" rein (the rein on the inside of the arena).
For jumping we will be doing some bounces and working on corners. It is important to really keep that outside rein ready to support the horse through the turns, while maintaining enough of the inside aids to counter balance so the horse keeps a relatively straight neck/body. Corners become issues when the horse pops a shoulder in or out, and it is no longer in line with the power of the haunches, nor in line with the control of the nose!
Karen
For the flat portion of lessons we will be working on counter canter around an end/corner. To do this well, and to not let it turn into a wrong lead, it is really important to not let the horse get quicker, or let the inside shoulder drop. To help with both these things is a strong supporting "inside" rein (the rein on the inside of the arena).
For jumping we will be doing some bounces and working on corners. It is important to really keep that outside rein ready to support the horse through the turns, while maintaining enough of the inside aids to counter balance so the horse keeps a relatively straight neck/body. Corners become issues when the horse pops a shoulder in or out, and it is no longer in line with the power of the haunches, nor in line with the control of the nose!
Karen
Friday, March 14, 2014
Saturday!
A reminder that Saturday after lessons (11:30 ish) there will be a tack cleaning party in the barn...and I brought cookies! Also, if your horse needs a bridle path, I can help with that as well. This is in preparation for the clinic next weekend. There is still room if anyone wants to ride Zander or Rocket!
Karen
Karen
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Beware the shedding!
Is spring really here? I hope so, maybe it will melt my brain! I really cannot wait to get riding outside although I am sure that is still a ways off.
This week in lessons we are introducing haunches out and picking up the counter canter on the long side. Haunches out is where the horse is travelling straight and slightly off the track with its neck and shoulders, but its hip is bent around the "outside" leg and angled towards the wall. The front legs travel straight, but the hind legs cross over. This will result in the horse being bent to the outside, and is an easy way to set up to pick up the outside canter lead.
Jumping wise I have set up a course with a couple bending lines. We will work on making sure the horse's don't try to change leads in the bending lines as that throws off the striding. We will also try to land the leads when possible to further smooth out the course.
Karen
This week in lessons we are introducing haunches out and picking up the counter canter on the long side. Haunches out is where the horse is travelling straight and slightly off the track with its neck and shoulders, but its hip is bent around the "outside" leg and angled towards the wall. The front legs travel straight, but the hind legs cross over. This will result in the horse being bent to the outside, and is an easy way to set up to pick up the outside canter lead.
Jumping wise I have set up a course with a couple bending lines. We will work on making sure the horse's don't try to change leads in the bending lines as that throws off the striding. We will also try to land the leads when possible to further smooth out the course.
Karen
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