Yesterday we did some flatwork - he wasn't overly up for it - suspect a bit tired after his running round the ranges the day before! Kept it fairly basic - just a stretchy session really.
Today I set up some exercises in the school - had some trot poles raised at one end, had 2 canter poles followed by a raised canter pole. And I had a tiny x-pole made out of planks on a 20m circle at X.
We started with some work on direct transitions, halt to trot and walk to canter then canter to walk - getting him sharper off my leg. Then we did the trot poles - he is prone to hopping over the first one which gets quite frustrating and he likes to go all giraffy over them - might try putting more than 3 out to try and get him to lower his head and look more. Then we moved on and trotted over the canter poles/raised 3rd pole just to make sure he was happy before cantering it - the distance was a little short and at one point he managed to jump the pole and the raised pole in one - oops! Generally he did it nicely though.
So then moved on to trot over the x-pole on the L rein - came round on the 20m circle and he threw a big tantrum - leapt in the air, spun to the left and reared. Naughty horse! Think being faced with a jump just took him by surprise. Walked him up to it and he was really looky at it. Turned round and came at it on the right rein as the plank are plain wood not painted on that side. He launched over it huuuuuge! Did it a few times from trot and canter on both reins and he was pinging! Thought that was quite enough for his first time jumping again!
Will do another little session of the same sort of thing next weekend and keep building on that. Aiming to do 2ft6 clear round in 2.5wks time.
Sunday 30 December 2012
Friday 28 December 2012
Falling off - ouch!
Bastard orange horse.
Was having a nice hack - it was a bit blustery but not that bad. Had a nice canter around the ranges but he is just so mental out there and it's my fault for letting him canter everywhere but he needs to canter lots to be fit enough. Cantered up to the top and then set off along the top. Suddenly he jinxed at a puddle - it wasn't even anything massive but just got me off balance and then the bastard set off on a rodeo display. I would have stayed on no probs if it wasn't for that. I hung on for ages but just couldn't get back in the plate well enough to pull the bugger up. He was getting faster and faster and I just knew it wasn't going to end well. In the end just let go as it was gonna hurt more the longer I hung on. Hit the ground with quite a thud and my head hit the ground pretty hard too. My lovely Champion Ventair has a big hole in the cover and no doubt is crushed inside too given the impact. £90 down the drain - grrrr.
So, had the pleasure of watching my horse gallop off into the sunset, literally. No point running after him - he's well faster than me. Caught sight of fluorescent up by the gate so thought he had stopped with the other horses I'd met earlier. Got closer and the lady comes towards me calling my name (no idea who she is!) and my heart sinks into my boots - I thought if she doesn't have him he must be stuck in the cattle grid :( But nope - thank god he wasn't. Turns out she had him for a while but he wouldn't wait - why she didn't get off and lead him around I dont know but I bet he pulled back and he hates pressure on his poll so would have taken off after that. She said initially he went left but then guess he figured that wasn't the way home - apparently he then turned around, measured up the cattle grid and then galloped at it and flew it taking off from 3ft out. Never again shall I doubt his scope!
He then galloped flat out down the hill and then I guess he got stuck at the bottom as he knew the way home was left but there was a large fence in his way. Thank god he didn't attempt to jump it as he is quite capable and then he would have crossed that main road by himself which doesn't bare thinking about. I saw his reflectives from halfway down the hill so started calling him and could see his ears go up and him start trotting around. He wouldn't let any of the dog walkers catch him but I called him and he came to me - silly horse. They had called the police as guess he'd been down there a while and no sign of me. Got them to call again pretty quick - I'm not meant to be on the ranges! Checked him over and seemed ok so got back on him and then had to get him home asap as was pretty much dark. He was wired. He was a right sweaty mess when we got back so left him in for a couple of hours to cool down. Went back to check on him, brushed off the mud and no sign of any swelling on his dodgy tendon thank bloody god. His monster windgall on his right fore had swollen up again but hardly surprising given his galloping on the gravel road.
Fingers crossed he is still ok tomorrow. Fecking horse. He's so nearly had me off so many times over the last few months I suppose I should be greatful it was at least on the right side of the fenceline. He's just so flipping sharp. I think I'm going back to hating hacking and avoiding it at all costs from now on.
Was having a nice hack - it was a bit blustery but not that bad. Had a nice canter around the ranges but he is just so mental out there and it's my fault for letting him canter everywhere but he needs to canter lots to be fit enough. Cantered up to the top and then set off along the top. Suddenly he jinxed at a puddle - it wasn't even anything massive but just got me off balance and then the bastard set off on a rodeo display. I would have stayed on no probs if it wasn't for that. I hung on for ages but just couldn't get back in the plate well enough to pull the bugger up. He was getting faster and faster and I just knew it wasn't going to end well. In the end just let go as it was gonna hurt more the longer I hung on. Hit the ground with quite a thud and my head hit the ground pretty hard too. My lovely Champion Ventair has a big hole in the cover and no doubt is crushed inside too given the impact. £90 down the drain - grrrr.
So, had the pleasure of watching my horse gallop off into the sunset, literally. No point running after him - he's well faster than me. Caught sight of fluorescent up by the gate so thought he had stopped with the other horses I'd met earlier. Got closer and the lady comes towards me calling my name (no idea who she is!) and my heart sinks into my boots - I thought if she doesn't have him he must be stuck in the cattle grid :( But nope - thank god he wasn't. Turns out she had him for a while but he wouldn't wait - why she didn't get off and lead him around I dont know but I bet he pulled back and he hates pressure on his poll so would have taken off after that. She said initially he went left but then guess he figured that wasn't the way home - apparently he then turned around, measured up the cattle grid and then galloped at it and flew it taking off from 3ft out. Never again shall I doubt his scope!
He then galloped flat out down the hill and then I guess he got stuck at the bottom as he knew the way home was left but there was a large fence in his way. Thank god he didn't attempt to jump it as he is quite capable and then he would have crossed that main road by himself which doesn't bare thinking about. I saw his reflectives from halfway down the hill so started calling him and could see his ears go up and him start trotting around. He wouldn't let any of the dog walkers catch him but I called him and he came to me - silly horse. They had called the police as guess he'd been down there a while and no sign of me. Got them to call again pretty quick - I'm not meant to be on the ranges! Checked him over and seemed ok so got back on him and then had to get him home asap as was pretty much dark. He was wired. He was a right sweaty mess when we got back so left him in for a couple of hours to cool down. Went back to check on him, brushed off the mud and no sign of any swelling on his dodgy tendon thank bloody god. His monster windgall on his right fore had swollen up again but hardly surprising given his galloping on the gravel road.
Fingers crossed he is still ok tomorrow. Fecking horse. He's so nearly had me off so many times over the last few months I suppose I should be greatful it was at least on the right side of the fenceline. He's just so flipping sharp. I think I'm going back to hating hacking and avoiding it at all costs from now on.
Thursday 27 December 2012
Schooling at Merrist Wood 27-12-12
Monday - did a lunging session
Tue - good old leg stretch up the ranges - did about 7mins of cantering in total with one 4.5min canter which got rather fast and out of control - was too weak from hunting Llewi on Sunday to argue! Considering we've still got a couple of months before eventing starts he is plenty fit enough already!
Wed - Boxing Day - shite weather - day off
Today - off to Merrist Wood to use the school.
Warmup in trot/canter
Then moved on to some walk-sitting trot-walk followed by some trot-halt-trot transitions on the centre line. Also some trot-walk-halt to keep the back legs stepping under into halt. Did some nice halts in front but always leaving a back leg behind. Not overly bothered about that for now though - straight and square in front is good enough with one judge! He was moving forwards into the trot quite nicely - occasional head toss but generally going straight into trot, forwards and straight so that was nice..
Did some LY and SI in sitting and rising trot and was really pleased given we hardly ever attempt lateral work due to shite school he did some really passable attempts.
Medium trot - hmmm, Not as good as it was last week. Need to work out what I was doing then to make it so good! Definitely need to make sure he is straight before asking for medium and must must keep him round and connected. Need to work more on the on and back in the trot to get this sorted.
Canter work - left rein - spiral in to small circle then leg yield out to large circle then move on into medium canter. careful to keep him up in the medium, not let him bare down on hands and run onto forehand. right rein - oh, so much tougher! He really wants to swing quarters in and even more so as circle gets smaller. When try to straighten him with shoulder in he really backs off.
Did some nice counter canter both reins. Totally rubbish at G&R on the short diagonal though - that is not going to go well! Nose poking all the way. Can get it on a circle these days but not quite progressed to diagonals yet!
So, back up there again next Wed then it's test time on Thursday - should be erm, interesting - these 2 tests (N35/37) are a bit of a step up from prelims!
Tue - good old leg stretch up the ranges - did about 7mins of cantering in total with one 4.5min canter which got rather fast and out of control - was too weak from hunting Llewi on Sunday to argue! Considering we've still got a couple of months before eventing starts he is plenty fit enough already!
Wed - Boxing Day - shite weather - day off
Today - off to Merrist Wood to use the school.
Warmup in trot/canter
Then moved on to some walk-sitting trot-walk followed by some trot-halt-trot transitions on the centre line. Also some trot-walk-halt to keep the back legs stepping under into halt. Did some nice halts in front but always leaving a back leg behind. Not overly bothered about that for now though - straight and square in front is good enough with one judge! He was moving forwards into the trot quite nicely - occasional head toss but generally going straight into trot, forwards and straight so that was nice..
Did some LY and SI in sitting and rising trot and was really pleased given we hardly ever attempt lateral work due to shite school he did some really passable attempts.
Medium trot - hmmm, Not as good as it was last week. Need to work out what I was doing then to make it so good! Definitely need to make sure he is straight before asking for medium and must must keep him round and connected. Need to work more on the on and back in the trot to get this sorted.
Canter work - left rein - spiral in to small circle then leg yield out to large circle then move on into medium canter. careful to keep him up in the medium, not let him bare down on hands and run onto forehand. right rein - oh, so much tougher! He really wants to swing quarters in and even more so as circle gets smaller. When try to straighten him with shoulder in he really backs off.
Did some nice counter canter both reins. Totally rubbish at G&R on the short diagonal though - that is not going to go well! Nose poking all the way. Can get it on a circle these days but not quite progressed to diagonals yet!
So, back up there again next Wed then it's test time on Thursday - should be erm, interesting - these 2 tests (N35/37) are a bit of a step up from prelims!
Sunday 23 December 2012
Llewi goes hunting 23-12-12
woohoo! He had such a fab time. We went with the RMA to Stockbridge Pond, Tilford. Great sandy going, went over Tilford and Hankley common - lovely long sandy tracks where you can gallop forever and perfect little Llewi jumps - will have to go for a hack up there and try and find them again! He was great - towing me into all the jumps and having a strop when I pulled him out from some bigger ones. Jumped everything great and even stood off from a few rather than his default getting in deep. He seemed to absolutely love it. Hope he likes Boxing Day just as much!
End of the week, whatever week of canter work we've got to now
Have blogged about most of the week already.
Yesterday went up the ranges for a bit of canter work. Probably did about 7mins of him pulling my arms out wanting to gallop flat out - pesky fit beast. Not allowed to do fast work until January!
Schooled him this morning before hunting Llewi. He was good - we did lots of round and deep in trot and canter, then some transitions and some on and back in the canter. He can really motor in the medium canter on a circle - hoping that movement goes well in our Novice BD in a couple of wks. Counted strides and he does about 10 in half a 20m circle in medium canter and 14-15 in a slightly collected working canter. 4-5 strides difference in half a circle is quite good I think. Managed a walk to canter on each rein without him blowing up. Have been getting some better trot to canter on the right rein with really thinking about sliding my outside leg back like I do on the left rein so he gets a nice warning that I'm going to give a canter aid - he seems to like a bit of warning!
Really need to work on the halts on the centre line - need to do lots of nearly halts and some trot-walk-trot work I think. He is terrible at just falling into a sudden halt as soon as he thinks I want halt. He just backs off, comes above the bit then yaws into it - horrible! Not a nice lasting impression for the judge!
Got Merrist Wood booked on Thursday so will be really nice to work him in their lovely big arena and do some counter canter and lateral work.
Yesterday went up the ranges for a bit of canter work. Probably did about 7mins of him pulling my arms out wanting to gallop flat out - pesky fit beast. Not allowed to do fast work until January!
Schooled him this morning before hunting Llewi. He was good - we did lots of round and deep in trot and canter, then some transitions and some on and back in the canter. He can really motor in the medium canter on a circle - hoping that movement goes well in our Novice BD in a couple of wks. Counted strides and he does about 10 in half a 20m circle in medium canter and 14-15 in a slightly collected working canter. 4-5 strides difference in half a circle is quite good I think. Managed a walk to canter on each rein without him blowing up. Have been getting some better trot to canter on the right rein with really thinking about sliding my outside leg back like I do on the left rein so he gets a nice warning that I'm going to give a canter aid - he seems to like a bit of warning!
Really need to work on the halts on the centre line - need to do lots of nearly halts and some trot-walk-trot work I think. He is terrible at just falling into a sudden halt as soon as he thinks I want halt. He just backs off, comes above the bit then yaws into it - horrible! Not a nice lasting impression for the judge!
Got Merrist Wood booked on Thursday so will be really nice to work him in their lovely big arena and do some counter canter and lateral work.
Friday 21 December 2012
Schooling 21-12-12
On a mission tonight. Cant decide if it's the new boots again or that he hasn't done much this week - had Mon/Thur off and only did short hacks on Tue/Wed.
So initially I felt he worked really well. We did a warmup in trot and canter on both reins. First left canter he pretended he didn't understand me so I made it really clear bringing my outside leg back and then he seemed to get it.
Then we worked on walk-sitting trot-walk followed by halt-sitting trot-halt and a rein back to trot on each rein. Am finding sitting trot much easier - think he is softer over his back so just need to gradually build up more of it as everything is so much easier in sitting trot if you're doing it well! Then we did some trot-canters and some canter-trot-canter on a 20m circle as that is in one of my Novices that I've entered BD for after New Yr. Established I am rubbish and cant do a few strides of sitting trot then back to canter with flailing all over the place so need to come back to rising trot then back to canter. Did some G&R in canter and all was good.
Gave him a walk break and then did some walk to canter and he just went la la. Had incorrect strike offs on both reins (normally only the right), couldn't cope with counter canter - got knickers in a right knot - definitely couldn't cope with canter to walk even though he did it quite nicely on both reins eventually. It was dark by this point and had no money on me for school lights so that might have been freaking him a bit.
Gave up in the end, settled him in a stretchy trot on both reins and ended it there. More work needed I think!
Lesson tomorrow cancelled as forecast is hideous - more and more bloody rain. Very frustrating as need lessons! Not got any planned at the moment :(
So initially I felt he worked really well. We did a warmup in trot and canter on both reins. First left canter he pretended he didn't understand me so I made it really clear bringing my outside leg back and then he seemed to get it.
Then we worked on walk-sitting trot-walk followed by halt-sitting trot-halt and a rein back to trot on each rein. Am finding sitting trot much easier - think he is softer over his back so just need to gradually build up more of it as everything is so much easier in sitting trot if you're doing it well! Then we did some trot-canters and some canter-trot-canter on a 20m circle as that is in one of my Novices that I've entered BD for after New Yr. Established I am rubbish and cant do a few strides of sitting trot then back to canter with flailing all over the place so need to come back to rising trot then back to canter. Did some G&R in canter and all was good.
Gave him a walk break and then did some walk to canter and he just went la la. Had incorrect strike offs on both reins (normally only the right), couldn't cope with counter canter - got knickers in a right knot - definitely couldn't cope with canter to walk even though he did it quite nicely on both reins eventually. It was dark by this point and had no money on me for school lights so that might have been freaking him a bit.
Gave up in the end, settled him in a stretchy trot on both reins and ended it there. More work needed I think!
Lesson tomorrow cancelled as forecast is hideous - more and more bloody rain. Very frustrating as need lessons! Not got any planned at the moment :(
Monday 17 December 2012
Something else to worry about
Monty has a monster tendinous windgall come up on his right fore lateral aspect just above fetlock. Noticed it last week then it went down but it was puffed up again today.
Farrier looked at his foot balance today - was happy with front feet - couldn't see why he would be sore on them. They look good to me - much better than when I got him. He does have road nails in at the moment though so this might be making him a bit more sensitive in terms of lunging him on the hard. They might also be increasing concussion a bit and causing the windgall.
He did say he's rubbing his toes behind esp the RH which I guess fits with that being his dodgy leg - nothing to do with his tendon injury I think, more likely the original problem flagged up in his vettings. I'm convinced it's some kind of mechanical restriction due to old injury as I really hope if it was anything more like spavin/suspensory it would have got significantly worse by now given all the work I've done with him. Anyway, he has shod him with some shoes which are rounded at the front in some way that he thought would be better - they basically look like shoes that have been worn for several weeks already to my eyes!
Farrier looked at his foot balance today - was happy with front feet - couldn't see why he would be sore on them. They look good to me - much better than when I got him. He does have road nails in at the moment though so this might be making him a bit more sensitive in terms of lunging him on the hard. They might also be increasing concussion a bit and causing the windgall.
He did say he's rubbing his toes behind esp the RH which I guess fits with that being his dodgy leg - nothing to do with his tendon injury I think, more likely the original problem flagged up in his vettings. I'm convinced it's some kind of mechanical restriction due to old injury as I really hope if it was anything more like spavin/suspensory it would have got significantly worse by now given all the work I've done with him. Anyway, he has shod him with some shoes which are rounded at the front in some way that he thought would be better - they basically look like shoes that have been worn for several weeks already to my eyes!
Sunday 16 December 2012
5th week of canter work
Now theoretically according to rehab plan we should be cantering for hours by now but it's just not practical with our hacking and also I dont think I want him racehorse fit so we're just gradually building up how much and how difficult his canter schooling work is but probably only ever doing about 5mins cantering out hacking at the moment. I think that is fine for now - once we get closer to the event season and I'm allowed to gallop him again then I'll get him down the gallops and for some longer hacks.
So, Tue we schooled which is in previous blog entry. Wed we hacked down the railway but it was very icy so couldn't do too much. Thur the world was frozen solid so day off. Friday just a quick lunging session in draw reins and he went nicely.
Sat - ridden schooling after work. First time in new boots for a few weeks and he was a bit mental - really reactive to my leg - over-reactive. Not recognising my canter transition aids, just trotting fast, taking off up the long side in canter with me - all just a bit rushed and silly. Ran through N28 perfectly acceptably but felt he wasn't quite happy so went back to the short boots and gaiters that we've worn for past 2 comps and will go back to boots this week and get him ok with them again. He's always been ok with them before so sure he will be again.
This week - hopefully get a lesson on Sat afternoon, otherwise it's just schooling and hacking. Few weeks before next dressage outing so time to work on the schooling now and really get him going well.
So, Tue we schooled which is in previous blog entry. Wed we hacked down the railway but it was very icy so couldn't do too much. Thur the world was frozen solid so day off. Friday just a quick lunging session in draw reins and he went nicely.
Sat - ridden schooling after work. First time in new boots for a few weeks and he was a bit mental - really reactive to my leg - over-reactive. Not recognising my canter transition aids, just trotting fast, taking off up the long side in canter with me - all just a bit rushed and silly. Ran through N28 perfectly acceptably but felt he wasn't quite happy so went back to the short boots and gaiters that we've worn for past 2 comps and will go back to boots this week and get him ok with them again. He's always been ok with them before so sure he will be again.
This week - hopefully get a lesson on Sat afternoon, otherwise it's just schooling and hacking. Few weeks before next dressage outing so time to work on the schooling now and really get him going well.
Tadley RC dressage - Fairoak Grange 16-12-12
We have been to Fairoak for a BE jump clinic before but not been in the indoor school so good chance to get him to cope with a spooky indoor with loads of mirrors. It was meant to be xmas dressage o I put his reindeer ears on and a bit of tinsel to make some kind of effort but was well outclassed by elves and santa clauses which had his eyes on stalks in the warmup!
We started with P14 which is the test he won at Merrist Wood 10days ago. Seems it must be our lucky test as he won again today! I think the judge had had a little too much mulled wine or something as probably got an extra mark for every movement compared to normal but so did everyone else from the scores and I'm going to frame the sheet anyway cause we got a 9 for a right canter circle. Previously I'd have been happy with a 7 for a right canter circle as it's always been his problem rein. So, even a generous 9 is well appreciated! The judge wasn't listed but is an Advanced rider. We got 76.25% and her comments at the end: 8778 "Fantastic horse! Kept rhythm and balance throughout. Lovely to judge" Bursting with pride at that - my fantastic orange horse!
Then came to our first Novice since coming back to work - N28. Seem to have found his medium trot in the last week and he did a stonking one in the warmup but not quite ready to produce it in the arena yet so dropped a mark there and a couple more due to him deciding I wanted another canter transition after coming back from counter canter to trot which cost him another win. Marks really close so he ended up 4th. Same judge still on the mulled wine - we got 74.58%. Collectives 7778 "Lovely test and well ridden!" Got another 8 for our centre line comments: "very straight" - never seen on any of our sheets prior to this break as we were like wiggly worms down the centre line. So many comments about good transitions which was always our weak point before. So proud of him!
We started with P14 which is the test he won at Merrist Wood 10days ago. Seems it must be our lucky test as he won again today! I think the judge had had a little too much mulled wine or something as probably got an extra mark for every movement compared to normal but so did everyone else from the scores and I'm going to frame the sheet anyway cause we got a 9 for a right canter circle. Previously I'd have been happy with a 7 for a right canter circle as it's always been his problem rein. So, even a generous 9 is well appreciated! The judge wasn't listed but is an Advanced rider. We got 76.25% and her comments at the end: 8778 "Fantastic horse! Kept rhythm and balance throughout. Lovely to judge" Bursting with pride at that - my fantastic orange horse!
Then came to our first Novice since coming back to work - N28. Seem to have found his medium trot in the last week and he did a stonking one in the warmup but not quite ready to produce it in the arena yet so dropped a mark there and a couple more due to him deciding I wanted another canter transition after coming back from counter canter to trot which cost him another win. Marks really close so he ended up 4th. Same judge still on the mulled wine - we got 74.58%. Collectives 7778 "Lovely test and well ridden!" Got another 8 for our centre line comments: "very straight" - never seen on any of our sheets prior to this break as we were like wiggly worms down the centre line. So many comments about good transitions which was always our weak point before. So proud of him!
Tuesday 11 December 2012
Schooling 11-12-12
Nipped down the yard at lunchtime for a quick schooling session in the sunshine. I cant bear the thought of taking his rugs off in the evenings and riding in minus 3 temperatures so it's lunchtime or nothing at the moment.
School was a bit crispy but ok once we'd stomped around on it for a bit.
We worked on trot-walk-trot transitions, then collecting the trot before moving it on. Did this on left rein then a walk break, quick bit of SI/travers/LY in walk then into trot on right rein and same stuff before trying a medium trot up the long side and by god he went for it - it needs refining, it could be a bit rounder but it feels very powerful. Another walk break then some canter work - some trot-canter transitions, couple of walk-canters, a 15m circle and return to track with some CC perfectly acceptable on both reins. G&R on both reins. Trot-canter on right rein still needs some work - I really seem to struggle to coordinate my aids and keep him round - it's very frustrating! Not asking him to collect the canter yet as bit soon. Been cantering a month now but he still needs to build up strength. Then we did some more medium trot which was fabulous and some centre lines getting him really powering forwards as got to sort this tendency to back off and die down the centre line. Need to work on the halts too - easy movement - ridiculous to throw away marks on it.
Very happy!
School was a bit crispy but ok once we'd stomped around on it for a bit.
We worked on trot-walk-trot transitions, then collecting the trot before moving it on. Did this on left rein then a walk break, quick bit of SI/travers/LY in walk then into trot on right rein and same stuff before trying a medium trot up the long side and by god he went for it - it needs refining, it could be a bit rounder but it feels very powerful. Another walk break then some canter work - some trot-canter transitions, couple of walk-canters, a 15m circle and return to track with some CC perfectly acceptable on both reins. G&R on both reins. Trot-canter on right rein still needs some work - I really seem to struggle to coordinate my aids and keep him round - it's very frustrating! Not asking him to collect the canter yet as bit soon. Been cantering a month now but he still needs to build up strength. Then we did some more medium trot which was fabulous and some centre lines getting him really powering forwards as got to sort this tendency to back off and die down the centre line. Need to work on the halts too - easy movement - ridiculous to throw away marks on it.
Very happy!
Sunday 9 December 2012
End of 4th week of cantering
Technically he is meant to be up to 10mins cantering now and moving on towards 15mins over next couple of weeks but even when he's fully event fit he only does three 5min canter sets once a week on the weeks he's not competing so I'm not sure he needs to be doing that much canter work just yet as eventing not till March. The programme is designed for racehorses and I dont think I want a racehorse fit Monty thanks so we'll just work on gradually increasing the difficulty of the school work and continue to do as much cantering in straight lines out hacking as possible but can really only manage 5mins max unless we box out somewhere.
Monday - day off after dressage Sunday
Tuesday - far too cold in the evening to whip his rugs off and ride - another day off
Wed - won P14 at Merrist Wood on 67.92% with 21 in the class
Thur - brisk hack round the railway line
Fri - schooling session at lunchtime - very pleased with how he is going. First bit of counter canter no probs and we did some pole work in trot and canter. Think the canter poles were a little far apart for him in a dressagey style canter - either need to get him a lot more forwards (generally our issue with SJ's anyway) or move poles closer together if doing this work in a normal canter. We did some G&R rein in canter on both reins and I just had that feeling he would do it before I gave the rein away - the feel he is giving me in the hand is totally different now and there we had it multiple times on both reins - didn't change his outline at all. Cant get it in trot but think it's more important in canter anyway.
Sat - first lesson since pre-injury. Tracey really pleased with how he is building up muscle in front of his withers - I thought he was looking a bit better there but pleased she noticed too. As soon as we trotted she was like wow what a difference. He feels amazing! She said she would buy him based on how he looked today. :) We did some work on finding out that I put more weight in the right stirrup and need to try and put more in left and lengthen the left leg as tends to creep up. Made me trot round on each rein without the outside stirrup and on left rein felt like I might fall off the outside! Then we did some canter work. Walk to canters were good. We even did one on the right rein on the 3/4 line and he stayed round, correct strike off and straight too - amazing! We worked on cantering down the 3/4 line making him super straight - need to shoulder-in slightly but then bring head back to the midline to get him 100% straight - almost thinking renvers - slightly more so on R rein, remember to still think it round the corners. Did some counter canter and he is almost straight but just tending to swing quarters in (or is it out - quarters are swinging towards the way he is bent) slightly as think I am using a bit too much outside (that's the leg on the inside of the school but outside to his bend) leg. Confusing or what! Finished with a bit of medium trot - careful not to let the frame lengthen - he is not ready for that yet as hindlegs need to push more. Last attempt I came round the corner and really felt him push for a couple of strides. Fab! Just need to build on that and we might actually have a medium trot worth talking about!
Sun - boxed over to Hankley common with Llewi. Covered 7.15miles in an hour and a half with plenty of trotting and cantering over the lovely sandy tracks. He nearly lost me once when I leant round to the right to talk to Becky and then he leapt to the left. We had a spinning fit at a log on the side of the track which took a couple of attempts to get him past and we had some close attempts to passage at some flapping tape - all typical for a Monty hack but it was good fun! Love having him fit again. Just cant wait to get cracking with some jumping again!
Feed wise he is now on half rations TopSpec balancer, big round scoop slightly heaped of Bailey's endurance mix, 1/2 scoop Dengie Happy Tummy (mostly alfalfa) a jug of Calm&Condition, 3/4 jug of Fast Fibre and 1/2 jug of Power&Performance. hoof supplement, salt and Supplease Gold. If he gets ridden any time other than the evening he gets a little extra feed with half scoop Happy Tummy and half scoop Endurance mix plus a blob of his soaked combination. He feels nice energy wise and is holding condition at one girth hole more than he was back in May fully eventing fit which is fine for now. Dont want him to lose anymore which is why I'm slowly swapping from Fast Fibre to Calm&Condition. Might also grab a bag of Bailey's Outshine next time I'm anywhere that stocks it. Clipped him blanket clip 3wks ago and he hasn't grown any of it back yet - still see the lines! Fine blades scalp him - must remember that! Still, at least means not too much clipping this year!
This week plans are just schooling and hacking at home, then riding club dressage on Sunday down at Fairoak - not competed there before, just been for jump clinic. Doing P14 again, plus N28 - first time doing 2 tests and first Novice. Hope he approves of the school as it is indoors, very smart and quite spooky and he's not been in there before so will be a mission to see if I can keep him connected when he wants to bring his head up and tighten.
Monday - day off after dressage Sunday
Tuesday - far too cold in the evening to whip his rugs off and ride - another day off
Wed - won P14 at Merrist Wood on 67.92% with 21 in the class
Thur - brisk hack round the railway line
Fri - schooling session at lunchtime - very pleased with how he is going. First bit of counter canter no probs and we did some pole work in trot and canter. Think the canter poles were a little far apart for him in a dressagey style canter - either need to get him a lot more forwards (generally our issue with SJ's anyway) or move poles closer together if doing this work in a normal canter. We did some G&R rein in canter on both reins and I just had that feeling he would do it before I gave the rein away - the feel he is giving me in the hand is totally different now and there we had it multiple times on both reins - didn't change his outline at all. Cant get it in trot but think it's more important in canter anyway.
Sat - first lesson since pre-injury. Tracey really pleased with how he is building up muscle in front of his withers - I thought he was looking a bit better there but pleased she noticed too. As soon as we trotted she was like wow what a difference. He feels amazing! She said she would buy him based on how he looked today. :) We did some work on finding out that I put more weight in the right stirrup and need to try and put more in left and lengthen the left leg as tends to creep up. Made me trot round on each rein without the outside stirrup and on left rein felt like I might fall off the outside! Then we did some canter work. Walk to canters were good. We even did one on the right rein on the 3/4 line and he stayed round, correct strike off and straight too - amazing! We worked on cantering down the 3/4 line making him super straight - need to shoulder-in slightly but then bring head back to the midline to get him 100% straight - almost thinking renvers - slightly more so on R rein, remember to still think it round the corners. Did some counter canter and he is almost straight but just tending to swing quarters in (or is it out - quarters are swinging towards the way he is bent) slightly as think I am using a bit too much outside (that's the leg on the inside of the school but outside to his bend) leg. Confusing or what! Finished with a bit of medium trot - careful not to let the frame lengthen - he is not ready for that yet as hindlegs need to push more. Last attempt I came round the corner and really felt him push for a couple of strides. Fab! Just need to build on that and we might actually have a medium trot worth talking about!
Sun - boxed over to Hankley common with Llewi. Covered 7.15miles in an hour and a half with plenty of trotting and cantering over the lovely sandy tracks. He nearly lost me once when I leant round to the right to talk to Becky and then he leapt to the left. We had a spinning fit at a log on the side of the track which took a couple of attempts to get him past and we had some close attempts to passage at some flapping tape - all typical for a Monty hack but it was good fun! Love having him fit again. Just cant wait to get cracking with some jumping again!
Feed wise he is now on half rations TopSpec balancer, big round scoop slightly heaped of Bailey's endurance mix, 1/2 scoop Dengie Happy Tummy (mostly alfalfa) a jug of Calm&Condition, 3/4 jug of Fast Fibre and 1/2 jug of Power&Performance. hoof supplement, salt and Supplease Gold. If he gets ridden any time other than the evening he gets a little extra feed with half scoop Happy Tummy and half scoop Endurance mix plus a blob of his soaked combination. He feels nice energy wise and is holding condition at one girth hole more than he was back in May fully eventing fit which is fine for now. Dont want him to lose anymore which is why I'm slowly swapping from Fast Fibre to Calm&Condition. Might also grab a bag of Bailey's Outshine next time I'm anywhere that stocks it. Clipped him blanket clip 3wks ago and he hasn't grown any of it back yet - still see the lines! Fine blades scalp him - must remember that! Still, at least means not too much clipping this year!
This week plans are just schooling and hacking at home, then riding club dressage on Sunday down at Fairoak - not competed there before, just been for jump clinic. Doing P14 again, plus N28 - first time doing 2 tests and first Novice. Hope he approves of the school as it is indoors, very smart and quite spooky and he's not been in there before so will be a mission to see if I can keep him connected when he wants to bring his head up and tighten.
Wednesday 5 December 2012
Merrist Wood 05-12-12
Didn't ride Monday as he competed Sunday.
Didn't ride yesterday as it was flipping freezing after work.
Merrist Wood this evening. On one in the car park due to some flapping plastic tape. Walked round to the warmup to get on! Warmed up sweetly. New routine is to do plenty of walk then some stretchy round trot with lots of changes of rein and then a little canter with some medium canter to wake him up. Walk break. Walk-sitting trot-walk transitions with changes of rein, perhaps a bit of leg yield and a little bit of canter followed by some rising trot. Walk break. Final pick up rising trot keeping it soft and forwards.
Short arena tonight - bit of tension about some stuff against the wall. Didn't feel as soft and relaxed into my contact as on Sunday. Doesn't look hideous from the video though. Canter work felt quite nice and got straight 7's. She said the trot-walk-trots were rushed so need to work on those. Only a 6 for his FWLR - chucked away some marks there, must get him to stretch down and round more. 8 for his first centre line - that's definitely a first! He feels really straight and connected on the first centre line at the moment. Shame same cant be said about the last one where he wants to grind to a halt from the start and then yaws into the halt and stands like a donkey. It's hideous - must be able to do something about that! Anyway, we won! 67.92%. Class of 20 or so. Won by about 2%. 7777 collectives. List 5 judge. All good!
Didn't ride yesterday as it was flipping freezing after work.
Merrist Wood this evening. On one in the car park due to some flapping plastic tape. Walked round to the warmup to get on! Warmed up sweetly. New routine is to do plenty of walk then some stretchy round trot with lots of changes of rein and then a little canter with some medium canter to wake him up. Walk break. Walk-sitting trot-walk transitions with changes of rein, perhaps a bit of leg yield and a little bit of canter followed by some rising trot. Walk break. Final pick up rising trot keeping it soft and forwards.
Short arena tonight - bit of tension about some stuff against the wall. Didn't feel as soft and relaxed into my contact as on Sunday. Doesn't look hideous from the video though. Canter work felt quite nice and got straight 7's. She said the trot-walk-trots were rushed so need to work on those. Only a 6 for his FWLR - chucked away some marks there, must get him to stretch down and round more. 8 for his first centre line - that's definitely a first! He feels really straight and connected on the first centre line at the moment. Shame same cant be said about the last one where he wants to grind to a halt from the start and then yaws into the halt and stands like a donkey. It's hideous - must be able to do something about that! Anyway, we won! 67.92%. Class of 20 or so. Won by about 2%. 7777 collectives. List 5 judge. All good!
Sunday 2 December 2012
Merrist Wood P19 02-12-12
First outing in the new horsebox which was as exciting as anything!
Last few days not gone exactly to plan with the zip on my new long boots going yesterday which meant I spent last night resurrecting my old joddy boots and gaiters and cleaning off year old mud. Lorry has gone and got a chip in its windscreen, every time I turn the fridge on it trips the fusebox switch (good thing it's cold enough not to need it) and various other problems so should have known today wouldn't go without a hitch either!
So, last few weeks I've been practising P15 with a vengeance so off we go down the centre line, turn left and beep goes the horn. Turns out I've learnt the wrong test! Should be P19 - luckily as it's unaff prelim and judge obviously feeling exceedingly kind she lets me start all over again with friend reading the correct test. Fortunately I also know P19 quite well so we had a good bash at it. Ended up on 67.73% and came 3rd out of 26. Monts has never been a dressage horse - it is what lets us down eventing - so pretty chuffed with that.
Going back there on Wednesday and have triple checked the test I'm riding!
Photos are just some stills from video I'm afraid:
And the video if you're bored enough to watch a prelim:
And my new horsebox as dont think I've showed it off yet and dont want it feeling left out!
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534546_10151332249520522_1040616208_n.jpg[/img]
Last few days not gone exactly to plan with the zip on my new long boots going yesterday which meant I spent last night resurrecting my old joddy boots and gaiters and cleaning off year old mud. Lorry has gone and got a chip in its windscreen, every time I turn the fridge on it trips the fusebox switch (good thing it's cold enough not to need it) and various other problems so should have known today wouldn't go without a hitch either!
So, last few weeks I've been practising P15 with a vengeance so off we go down the centre line, turn left and beep goes the horn. Turns out I've learnt the wrong test! Should be P19 - luckily as it's unaff prelim and judge obviously feeling exceedingly kind she lets me start all over again with friend reading the correct test. Fortunately I also know P19 quite well so we had a good bash at it. Ended up on 67.73% and came 3rd out of 26. Monts has never been a dressage horse - it is what lets us down eventing - so pretty chuffed with that.
Going back there on Wednesday and have triple checked the test I'm riding!
Photos are just some stills from video I'm afraid:
And the video if you're bored enough to watch a prelim:
And my new horsebox as dont think I've showed it off yet and dont want it feeling left out!
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534546_10151332249520522_1040616208_n.jpg[/img]
3rd week of cantering
Monday was physio so had Tue off
Wed we braved the ranges - the flags were down so it was rude not to go over there. Picked a route that minimised misbehaviour and got back in one piece!
Thur and Fri we did some schooling (practising the wrong test for today lol!) and am really pleased with how he is going at the moment. Just need to get him more into my outside rein on the left rein now. He feels really secure on the right rein now which is a turnup for the books!
Yesterday took him and Llewi over to Hankley Common and went for a blast round Elstead common - great as he doesn't know the tracks so doesn't try to take over as much about when we canter so no loonyness!
Wed we braved the ranges - the flags were down so it was rude not to go over there. Picked a route that minimised misbehaviour and got back in one piece!
Thur and Fri we did some schooling (practising the wrong test for today lol!) and am really pleased with how he is going at the moment. Just need to get him more into my outside rein on the left rein now. He feels really secure on the right rein now which is a turnup for the books!
Yesterday took him and Llewi over to Hankley Common and went for a blast round Elstead common - great as he doesn't know the tracks so doesn't try to take over as much about when we canter so no loonyness!
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