Today I had another riding lesson and it felt like my worse yet. I'm not quite sure what was going on with me but I just didn't feel right (I wasn't sick or anything like that) and this feeling came through in the way I was riding. Stuff that I had learnt in lesson one wasn't happening today and I needed to review simple rising trot stuff as I was too far forward in the saddle. Diagonals went out the window!
Thankfully I did improve and once Kim had me bending my legs back to my bum while sitting in the saddle my leg position improved (yes I needed to use a hand to get them all the way back there - but just at the end LOL!). This altered my centre of gravity and made a dramatic difference to the way I rose in trot and rode overall. I will need to practise this position more.
The cantering at the end of the lesson was fine, Dick (the palomino pictured above) has a very nice rocking horse kind of canter, I will just need to work on the transition out of canter to make it more smooth. I don't find it too difficult on Dick though.
When I got home I saddled Teddy up to practise what I had just learnt and took him to an area I mowed out yesterday specifically for riding purposes as the grass has gone bonkers in the paddocks.
I discovered that although he has had his teeth done he threw his head up and down for a good 30 minutes. This is probably the worst he has ever done it. It drove me nuts, particularly as I can't find a reason for it other than him just not wanting to cooperate.
My solution was to persevere, which we did, and after 30 minutes I got off to readjust my stirrups. When I got back on he was much better for reasons I don't understand. This may be because I tried not to hold his head so collected but I cant be sure as when we were trotting he broke into a canter and at that stage my reins were too loose to correct him immediately. I had it all under control but I didn't like the feeling as I couldn't get any messages down the reins until I had gathered them up to the right length.
Also I noticed that Teddy is very fast at all paces. He's a pretty fast walker but nothing too major. He's a very fast trotter and my first few seated paces at a trot felt like I was bouncing like a rubber ball thrown into a confined space. Also, I must admit that his canter is way too fast for me at the moment - almost scarily so. But luckily I never felt like I was going to fall.
- Is it possible to work Teddy through this head throwing?
- Should I get a martingale?
- Will I learn to like the speedy Teddy when I get better at riding?
- Can a horse that has done polo learn to slow down?
- Are there any special techniques to teach a horse to slow his pace? and what are they?
- Can I learn what I need to learn as a rider and teach Teddy what he needs to learn at the same time? I need to keep in mind that I want him for trail riding.
- When I first got Teddy he had a neck problem that I believe we successfully treated and the woman who treated him said it was due to being in a frame all the time. If this is the case should I not be holding his head in like is required for dressage? It did seem to make a difference. If so, where to from here?
- Above is a photo of his saddle cloth from today and the sweat pattern on it. I was told that if the sweat pattern is not even the saddle doesn't fit properly. This looks even to me but there are some dry patches. Does this count as being even?
- If not I have a foam saddle riser, should I be using it?
Anyone's knowledgeable advise would be welcomes. Thanks
Tania,
ReplyDeleteTake my comments for what they are worth . . .
Both my TB and my QH exhibited head tossing. Moose was actually looking for contact through the reins; Cricket can feel trapped by it. Teddy is tossing his head to let you know that he doesn't understand what you want and maybe isn't sure how to offer you what you want. Most likely it will go away with time and developing communication.
A martingale will only mask the problem by treating the symptom. It might even make it worse as you'll further trap him into contact and take away his "voice" to communicate with you.
Teddy may be a quick-paced horse or he may be "running away" from something that causes him pain or confusion. If he's a little strung out, he may be moving fast as he's falling on his forehand and his back is scrambling to keep up. Video tape yourself riding so you can get a better idea of what's actually going on. I found, with Cricket's canter, what felt like a runaway is actually a very lovely canter. Now it doesn't feel so fast.
Teddy has a natural way of going that can only be altered to a certain extent. What you want is not necessarily to slow him down but make sure his go is equal to his whoa and that he is moving in a balanced and correct manner. That takes time.
Are you taking Teddy through the Parelli program? The freestyle riding is wonderful for helping to build communication between horse and rider and to build emotional fitness on both sides. Maybe this is what Teddy needs more than dressage lessons. When you get to his mind, his body will follow. It may be daunting or scary to consider riding in a halter but you can build up to it. In the end it's no different than a bridle and in some ways it's better. A halter is more forgiving my mistakes and allows me to learn without damaging Cricket's mouth.
Observe the sweat pattern over several rides. In addition to your saddle fit, the way you ride can affect the sweat pattern. Too heavy on one seat bone or too much weight in one stirrup and you can create pressure on one side that isn't related to your saddle at all. Another reason to video tape to see if you are crooked to one side, etc.
Thanks Lisa. I had already decided against the martingale today as I think it will just restrict him and this is already a problem for him, as demonstrated with the dentist.
ReplyDeleteI still do Parelli partnership but I have gone off it a bit after the catching game ended up such a failure after the 2nd go. I've been disheartened I guess but I have just got in the harmony booklets so will start over and try to combine some Parelli with riding - separate days of course. I definitely wouldn't get on Teddy in a halter yet and that's about my issues not him right now.
I have taped a ride and attempted to tape another but will have to get Steve involved more (without driving the poor guy nuts! LOL!)
I'll write about how we progress as usual. Thanks again for your comments.
How is your winter treating you? Are your relatives in Australia doing ok after the flood?