Progress!!

ruffian · 12-20-2007, 01:00 PM

I posted a few times about my November from he;;;double hockey sticks.
It's not that falling off is the end of the world, but when my kind, bold and huge hearted boy drilled me into the ground at will, I lost a lot of confidence, in my ability to stay on and in our relationship.

I since learned that issues in his previous training may have resurfaced, due to mistakes I was making so I set about fixing all that.
No more spurs
Back to cross rails and more flat work (the complex grids and courses we were jumping were too big and challenging for him)
Lots of singing and deep breathing
A different saddle pad and girth, he is sensitive and does not like contact from the pad in the gullet area of the saddle.
More time to warm up, watch the other horses and just visit
A reminder that he is only six and is remarkably consistent for that age, thus entitled to a few brain farts.
Last night we jumped a 2'"9 course with lead changes, walls, tight striding and oxers (my coach snuck the rails up while I was on course so I wouldn't realize what we were doing.
Ok, this isn't Olympic stuff, but we are back!! Rio was so relaxed and I'm now riding much more with my seat and legs instead of relying on spurs and reins.
The other thing I will do is have my coach put a few rides on him herself. She is a very kind, quiet rider but with more experience than me and able to give him confidence as the fences get bigger again.
Yipee

cameo05 · 12-20-2007, 01:04 PM

Congrats on building your confedence back. This is great for the both of you.

HeatherSarah3 · 12-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Congrats Ruffian! I am happy for you. Keep up the good work. "Just keep riding!"

DanielleS · 12-20-2007, 01:21 PM

Congrats, keep it up!

NoniMe · 12-20-2007, 03:55 PM

Nicely done, girl. Nicely done with both you and Rio. Way to go about addressing the issues...identifying problems, and changing things which need to be changed, and working through those which are simply horse stubbornness, is what a real rider does.

You're an inspiration, darlin. Nicely, nicely done.

Best-
Noni

EquineAlberta · 12-20-2007, 06:27 PM

Good Job! I am so happy that you are getting along with Rio now, and that the two of you are figuring things out together....just in time for show season too!

Karen

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I have progress!!	chappel16	Training	16	10-24-2007 09:39 PM
Just a bug? We're seeing progress now	BarrelGirl	Health & Nutrition	19	09-11-2007 10:14 AM
Progress maybe?	tracyrhue1	Training	8	08-22-2007 08:33 AM
Is this progress??	tiggypoodle	Training	4	02-27-2005 10:18 PM

12-20-2007, 01:00 PM
ruffian Long Yearling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,156	Progress!! I posted a few times about my November from he;;;double hockey sticks. It's not that falling off is the end of the world, but when my kind, bold and huge hearted boy drilled me into the ground at will, I lost a lot of confidence, in my ability to stay on and in our relationship. I since learned that issues in his previous training may have resurfaced, due to mistakes I was making so I set about fixing all that. No more spurs Back to cross rails and more flat work (the complex grids and courses we were jumping were too big and challenging for him) Lots of singing and deep breathing A different saddle pad and girth, he is sensitive and does not like contact from the pad in the gullet area of the saddle. More time to warm up, watch the other horses and just visit A reminder that he is only six and is remarkably consistent for that age, thus entitled to a few brain farts. Last night we jumped a 2'"9 course with lead changes, walls, tight striding and oxers (my coach snuck the rails up while I was on course so I wouldn't realize what we were doing. Ok, this isn't Olympic stuff, but we are back!! Rio was so relaxed and I'm now riding much more with my seat and legs instead of relying on spurs and reins. The other thing I will do is have my coach put a few rides on him herself. She is a very kind, quiet rider but with more experience than me and able to give him confidence as the fences get bigger again. Yipee __________________ There is something about the outside of a Horse that\'s good for the inside of a man (Will Rogers)

12-20-2007, 01:04 PM
cameo05 Pasture Pet Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In my own world Posts: 12,321	Congrats on building your confedence back. This is great for the both of you. __________________ Life is a bed of roses, until you meet up with thorns.

12-20-2007, 01:05 PM
HeatherSarah3 Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 386	Congrats Ruffian! I am happy for you. Keep up the good work. "Just keep riding!" __________________ If there are no horses in heaven, I dont want to go!

12-20-2007, 01:21 PM
DanielleS Coming two Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Middletown, MD Posts: 1,609	Congrats, keep it up!

12-20-2007, 03:55 PM
NoniMe Seasoned Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,749	Nicely done, girl. Nicely done with both you and Rio. Way to go about addressing the issues...identifying problems, and changing things which need to be changed, and working through those which are simply horse stubbornness, is what a real rider does. You're an inspiration, darlin. Nicely, nicely done. Best- Noni __________________ Apparently, I have a warped sense of humor. "Who knew?"

12-20-2007, 06:27 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,004	Good Job! I am so happy that you are getting along with Rio now, and that the two of you are figuring things out together....just in time for show season too! Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise