Just thinking about how Tilly makes me be my best rider: most efficient, sharpest, and correct.
Thinking about the decision's I've made in my life... these two, somehow equivalent in practice... differ completely in result.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
How far we've come...
Some of my early training journal entries in 2010:
January 6th
"I'm having trouble with the RED MARE... I often feel out of control and I'm bored with our setting. New a new venue! I also need to be softer, smoother, and faster! Contacted Dr. Joy Baker today."
Back then Tilly traveled with her left jaw bone jutting out. She was twisting from her poll, but not just bringing her nose off center! It was weird looking and i knew she was uncomfortable because she responded enthusiastically to my rudimentary massage right behind her ears.... i think this was how I was finally able to make contact with her actual ears! Did I mention that those weren't to be touched (according to TNT!).
January 13th
"Long lines today! Good decision for sure! I was lacking control on the lunge and that was bleeding into our saddle time - no mas! Sooo... we worked over caveletti - she tried to bulge and then surge... I think she got the message after 40 minutes... Finally a good girl!"
January 14th
"Long line!!" took one whole hour just to get her moving forward at the walk... this horse is crazy. KEEP TRYING!"
Long lined exclusively over the next 2 weeks.
January 26th
"Pretty good... lots of rearing, we we got over ALL caveletti by the end of a 45 min workout."
I remember that caveletti were one of the ways I was able to encourage Tilly to play with me ;P She really enjoyed hoping over stuff then, so as long as jump was in front of her, she would proceed.
January 29th
"still fighting"
haha! short entry... guess it was a tough day! Next entry was commenting on the fact that she wouldn't let me catch her... siigh!
February 3rd
"ok! Tilly and I are communicating again! I had a realization after our last exercise. She kept stopping and standing stock still. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but i realized she needed a reprieve.. a mental break. So instead of making her move forward, every time she stopped, I walked up and gave her a pet. YEESSSSS! Just what she wanted! She softened her jaw and neck and listened when I wanted her to halt or slow. she even salivated more!! She needed LOVE!"
i think i fell in love with Tilly on this day. She reminded me that when life is extremely challenging, a little love will go a long way.
February 4th
"Whenever I could tell that Tilly wanted to rear, I was able to get her to halt... result of increased lovin'!! She is thinking "wait or halt' before "take off!" Even got a canter/ halt transition!"
February 7th
"Sooo good today!! Rode her for the first time in a long time. NO bucking! :) not the best connection but she relaxed over the course of the ride. She responded to half halts from my seat and NEVER once took off!"
February 23
"She is a long and arduous ride. But I still enjoy her! Just need to remain patient when she is SO heavy in the bridle. She is requiring so much support from my hand right now... not sure if I should use draw reins ro neck stretchers... is that going to rush her through this important process? Sure, it's hard to hold her, but maybe i need to just ride through it.. Also need to work the half halts with the gymnastic exercises! She responds well to this! I need to improve my timing..."
I love reading through these entries! So much has changed! I forget how far we've come!
Here is a recent entry:
April 8th 2011:
"Awesome Ride!! She started out quiet and almost sleepy!? Stood quietly in the cross ties and just walked out to the big field (usually wants to gallop there!). about 20 mins into a casual warmup - she WOKE UP and wanted to GO! She was strong in the connection and UP in front. It was out of control and I wasn't sure what we were going to produce in the lesson with Laura! Very Exciting!!! After a little softening left and right and trot/ canter transitions - she was right with me! I loved that my seat controlled her activity... when i softened my seat she gave me MORE impulsion! Half passes are great! Our medium trot is really getting super!!"
January 6th
"I'm having trouble with the RED MARE... I often feel out of control and I'm bored with our setting. New a new venue! I also need to be softer, smoother, and faster! Contacted Dr. Joy Baker today."
Back then Tilly traveled with her left jaw bone jutting out. She was twisting from her poll, but not just bringing her nose off center! It was weird looking and i knew she was uncomfortable because she responded enthusiastically to my rudimentary massage right behind her ears.... i think this was how I was finally able to make contact with her actual ears! Did I mention that those weren't to be touched (according to TNT!).
January 13th
"Long lines today! Good decision for sure! I was lacking control on the lunge and that was bleeding into our saddle time - no mas! Sooo... we worked over caveletti - she tried to bulge and then surge... I think she got the message after 40 minutes... Finally a good girl!"
January 14th
"Long line!!" took one whole hour just to get her moving forward at the walk... this horse is crazy. KEEP TRYING!"
Long lined exclusively over the next 2 weeks.
January 26th
"Pretty good... lots of rearing, we we got over ALL caveletti by the end of a 45 min workout."
I remember that caveletti were one of the ways I was able to encourage Tilly to play with me ;P She really enjoyed hoping over stuff then, so as long as jump was in front of her, she would proceed.
January 29th
"still fighting"
haha! short entry... guess it was a tough day! Next entry was commenting on the fact that she wouldn't let me catch her... siigh!
February 3rd
"ok! Tilly and I are communicating again! I had a realization after our last exercise. She kept stopping and standing stock still. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but i realized she needed a reprieve.. a mental break. So instead of making her move forward, every time she stopped, I walked up and gave her a pet. YEESSSSS! Just what she wanted! She softened her jaw and neck and listened when I wanted her to halt or slow. she even salivated more!! She needed LOVE!"
i think i fell in love with Tilly on this day. She reminded me that when life is extremely challenging, a little love will go a long way.
February 4th
"Whenever I could tell that Tilly wanted to rear, I was able to get her to halt... result of increased lovin'!! She is thinking "wait or halt' before "take off!" Even got a canter/ halt transition!"
February 7th
"Sooo good today!! Rode her for the first time in a long time. NO bucking! :) not the best connection but she relaxed over the course of the ride. She responded to half halts from my seat and NEVER once took off!"
February 23
"She is a long and arduous ride. But I still enjoy her! Just need to remain patient when she is SO heavy in the bridle. She is requiring so much support from my hand right now... not sure if I should use draw reins ro neck stretchers... is that going to rush her through this important process? Sure, it's hard to hold her, but maybe i need to just ride through it.. Also need to work the half halts with the gymnastic exercises! She responds well to this! I need to improve my timing..."
I love reading through these entries! So much has changed! I forget how far we've come!
Here is a recent entry:
April 8th 2011:
"Awesome Ride!! She started out quiet and almost sleepy!? Stood quietly in the cross ties and just walked out to the big field (usually wants to gallop there!). about 20 mins into a casual warmup - she WOKE UP and wanted to GO! She was strong in the connection and UP in front. It was out of control and I wasn't sure what we were going to produce in the lesson with Laura! Very Exciting!!! After a little softening left and right and trot/ canter transitions - she was right with me! I loved that my seat controlled her activity... when i softened my seat she gave me MORE impulsion! Half passes are great! Our medium trot is really getting super!!"
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It's always about timing... always
i can't believe I could carry a whip with Tilly again! It's been about 6 months since I stopped using one (she'd grown "intolerant" lol!) Of course I was also still jumping her back then and I'm remembering that her distaste for jumps and whips happened around the same time... I think she grew bored with the jumping since I'm not as advance in that training - I couldn't push her and she DOES like to be challenged!
What she doesn't like is to be hurried and I shouldn't be doing that anyways! Laura (our coach) always instructs me to "allow" the rhythm and not to "disrupt" her with an ill timed half halt or locked hips. Tilly instructs me to ask for more impulsion or activity at the exact right moment. If I'm off in my timing you better believe those back heels reach for the sky! Luckily her buck isn't uncomfortable!
I'm very pleased to say that we had superb timing today!! This is her 4th day of consecutive work and she felt phenomenal! I was able to really wrap my leg around her and engage her hind legs so she flowed very straight to the bridle - no twisting to the left at all! Further she wasn't behind the leg (in the canter) as i felt yesterday when we rode in the field :) She is growing stronger in the canter work - just have to keep strength training and all the movements will be right there. Finally had a true extended canter where she moved UP to the bridle and stayed through the back - ohh! Just got goosebumps at the recollection of that feeling!
Homework:
Increase cross in lateral work for improved expression. Don't forget to use my inside leg!!! A well timed tap should help too. I think I'll try a little forward and back within the lateral movement. Any other suggestions?
Also going to continue working the Walk/Canter... Canter/Walk transitions... we need to maintain the quality of the walk and decrease # of steps in between the transitions... Remember: "Collect the canter to the walk." and "Think rein back if the steps get hurried."
Siigh, good Red Mare day!
What she doesn't like is to be hurried and I shouldn't be doing that anyways! Laura (our coach) always instructs me to "allow" the rhythm and not to "disrupt" her with an ill timed half halt or locked hips. Tilly instructs me to ask for more impulsion or activity at the exact right moment. If I'm off in my timing you better believe those back heels reach for the sky! Luckily her buck isn't uncomfortable!
I'm very pleased to say that we had superb timing today!! This is her 4th day of consecutive work and she felt phenomenal! I was able to really wrap my leg around her and engage her hind legs so she flowed very straight to the bridle - no twisting to the left at all! Further she wasn't behind the leg (in the canter) as i felt yesterday when we rode in the field :) She is growing stronger in the canter work - just have to keep strength training and all the movements will be right there. Finally had a true extended canter where she moved UP to the bridle and stayed through the back - ohh! Just got goosebumps at the recollection of that feeling!
Homework:
Increase cross in lateral work for improved expression. Don't forget to use my inside leg!!! A well timed tap should help too. I think I'll try a little forward and back within the lateral movement. Any other suggestions?
Also going to continue working the Walk/Canter... Canter/Walk transitions... we need to maintain the quality of the walk and decrease # of steps in between the transitions... Remember: "Collect the canter to the walk." and "Think rein back if the steps get hurried."
Siigh, good Red Mare day!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Never stop learning
I've learned the hard way that I can't force anything or anyone to BE a certain way. I'll exercise this knowledge here and I'll let this outlet develop organically. I'm going to start by reviewing past training journals, commenting on training philosophies that I read, and writing about training in progress. I have many horses in training, but none are similar to "Till Next Time"! She is also called "Tilly" (when she is good) or "TNT" (when she less than good). :)
Tilly's owners are Margaret H. and Meagan C.. A past client met these wonderful ladies while waiting for pictures to be developed. Margaret happened to notice the client's pictures - a lovely horse jumping - and she inquired about the trainer! This was August 2009, I met Tilly about a week later and commenced a three month , twice weekly, training contract. This contract was extended and I give thanks every day for this opportunity.
I wish I could recall my exact first impression of the horse, I wasn't keeping a training journal at that time. Tilly was quick, smart, and bored. She couldn't be tied, she couldn't be wormed, shoeing was precarious, catching her was entertaining, and I wasn't permitted to ride alone. She seemed curious about me, not very naughty at first... she probably enjoyed the attention. I trust my instincts and the connection felt auspicious.
From day one, she demanded that I ride her with my full attention..... If I made a mistake, she let me know immediately. From a fellow rider, "Correct with as little drama as possible, but as much as necessary" -Albrecht Hidemann LOVE this quote! But I think Tilly applies this to our rides more so than me! I adore her for this reason. I seek to better myself everyday through practice, but at times my discipline is lacking. As a trainer I must never cease learning: sometimes the work is trying and I feel confused. Sometimes the experience is euphoric, and I feel centered and alive. Either way, I'm rewarded with knowledge and athleticism.
When I'm with Tilly, I know I'm exactly where I should be.
Tilly's owners are Margaret H. and Meagan C.. A past client met these wonderful ladies while waiting for pictures to be developed. Margaret happened to notice the client's pictures - a lovely horse jumping - and she inquired about the trainer! This was August 2009, I met Tilly about a week later and commenced a three month , twice weekly, training contract. This contract was extended and I give thanks every day for this opportunity.
I wish I could recall my exact first impression of the horse, I wasn't keeping a training journal at that time. Tilly was quick, smart, and bored. She couldn't be tied, she couldn't be wormed, shoeing was precarious, catching her was entertaining, and I wasn't permitted to ride alone. She seemed curious about me, not very naughty at first... she probably enjoyed the attention. I trust my instincts and the connection felt auspicious.
From day one, she demanded that I ride her with my full attention..... If I made a mistake, she let me know immediately. From a fellow rider, "Correct with as little drama as possible, but as much as necessary" -Albrecht Hidemann LOVE this quote! But I think Tilly applies this to our rides more so than me! I adore her for this reason. I seek to better myself everyday through practice, but at times my discipline is lacking. As a trainer I must never cease learning: sometimes the work is trying and I feel confused. Sometimes the experience is euphoric, and I feel centered and alive. Either way, I'm rewarded with knowledge and athleticism.
When I'm with Tilly, I know I'm exactly where I should be.
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