tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post4119645607664416421..comments2023-05-27T11:53:06.487-04:00Comments on Memoirs of a Horse Girl: Riding Reflection: Speed and StretchValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-40392610420428431562012-08-10T16:42:12.681-04:002012-08-10T16:42:12.681-04:00Stretchy trot immediately after the canter is a re...Stretchy trot immediately after the canter is a recipe for disaster for us! I almost can't believe they wrote the Training Level test that way.<br /><br />In the First Level tests, the stretchy trot is in the beginning of the test before any canter work. I find that we have a much better shot at it, although we are pretty much stuck in 6-land. ;)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-41272257039235128272012-08-10T13:47:18.374-04:002012-08-10T13:47:18.374-04:00Yep, yep, yep! Those are the same issues we'r...Yep, yep, yep! Those are the same issues we're dealing with! Giving the reins seems to be permission to zoom forward. At training level, the stretch comes right after the canter. What a tough set up! I have to balance in the canter, balance for a smooth downward transition, and within a stride or two give the rein for the stretch. It's a tough exercise to do well. I can see how mastering the stretchy trot, especially in a show setting, will pave the way for much better work later on.<br /><br />Best of luck as you and Harley navigate the same road we're on. :0)Bakersfield Dressagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571487914424695283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-87268362923889038232012-08-09T07:27:26.701-04:002012-08-09T07:27:26.701-04:00Hi jenj,
I am not sure about the wrinkles. I wil...Hi jenj,<br /><br />I am not sure about the wrinkles. I will have to check. I would say "probably" when he is in his full state of tenseness, but, thankfully, that doesn't happen very much anymore.<br /><br />You are most certainly correct. He was not carrying himself when he sped up. I think this was actually exacerbated on this ride because he felt heavy in my hand. I guess my insistence that he release his back had put him more on the forehand. We tried it again today and it was much better: not so heavy and better tempo.<br /><br />Oh yes, Harley likes to anticipate. This can be an advantage, because I can use very small aids when he is really "on", but of course if is also a challenge to control, as you must know. ;) We play the waiting game quite often when I can tell that he thinks we are going to canter at "C", but I want to canter on the center line. He is much better than he was at age nine or ten, where cantering left him in a complete frenzy. I have a lot of sympathy for riders training a difficult canter, because I know how long it can take (years for us!). I do some of the things that you mentioned in my warm up, which was not possible at the last show due to the warm up conditions. That was definitely to our detriment.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing about Cash. It is helpful to hear about another horse, especially one that sounds similar to Harley!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-82853112707581750322012-08-09T07:12:46.147-04:002012-08-09T07:12:46.147-04:00Yes indeed!Yes indeed!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-65607242342733079632012-08-08T22:45:28.327-04:002012-08-08T22:45:28.327-04:00When Harley gets tense and short, does he get wrin...When Harley gets tense and short, does he get wrinkles on his withers? Just curious - Cash does that and I'm wondering if anyone else's horse does that.<br /><br />From your description of Harley speeding up when you let out the reins, it sounds like he's not carrying himself quite right. It also sounds like your half-halt exercise to ask him to sit down and then give the rein really did the trick. Does Harley also anticipate a lot? Cash anticipated EVERY STEP, so I had to change things up a lot to get him to tune into me and relax. Cash also got super worked up after the canter, but I learned to canter early and often, even just for half of a 20 meter circle. That way it became so routine that it was no big deal. <br /><br />One other thought - do you warm Harley up on a long rein (like, on the buckle)? That seemed to help Cash a lot, as he could go long and low and really get his topline moving. I also learned that he prefers a lap or two of canter each direction on a long rein to get his back loose. Saga, on the other hand, will just use a long rein warmup as an excuse to play and be goofy. Every horse is different, that's for sure!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-43648191435508635602012-08-08T13:33:28.775-04:002012-08-08T13:33:28.775-04:00I'm glad you were able to take away something ...I'm glad you were able to take away something positive from the show. They are good at getting us focused, aren't they!Oak Creek Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com