A slight 'aside' to start tonight. How the bloody hell did the gap band have a hit record based on the repetition of oops up side your head......oops upside my head I have no idea except that it was a popular thing to get the disco going (sitting astride on the floor rowing for Britain). Sorry I digress.
Any self repecting horseman will have read many great tomes on horsemanship. My question tonight is does this help one wade through the mud of modern equitation or does it make one feel part of the gang (knowing the fundamentals of the system) and actually divert you away from the real lesson of riding and learning on the job. Why are 'masters' masters and why do we plebs know nothing?
Panic not beloved bloggers, I have not lost the plot. Some of you may well 'feel' what I'm banging on about. I have not imbibed more than two glasses of wine and I NEVER lie, lol.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
These boots are made for walking
OK first a minor back track.
Wednesday I rode and it was bloody great. He felt good and even though it was stinking hot (please can we have one night cool enough to sleep) he worked so well. Maybe I was a little 'overwhelmed' to be back on a 100% sound horse but what the heck it was lovely. I've decided to ride then lunge/dismounted exercise in between at least until he's fully fit again. So yesterday was in-hand and then lunge and again he was a willing, contented boy (maybe the CT treats being changed to mints has something to do with that, lol).
Today we took a 25 min tootle up the tracks in-hand, would have liked to ride but wanted to be on foot to keep an eye on the new boots. He walked out brilliantly and over rocks and everything. Just like taking the dog for a walk really, Lydia in one hand, Moo in the other. Can't say I would choose this mode of working but his boots didn't rub and so it won't be long before I can do it onboard.
Wednesday I rode and it was bloody great. He felt good and even though it was stinking hot (please can we have one night cool enough to sleep) he worked so well. Maybe I was a little 'overwhelmed' to be back on a 100% sound horse but what the heck it was lovely. I've decided to ride then lunge/dismounted exercise in between at least until he's fully fit again. So yesterday was in-hand and then lunge and again he was a willing, contented boy (maybe the CT treats being changed to mints has something to do with that, lol).
Today we took a 25 min tootle up the tracks in-hand, would have liked to ride but wanted to be on foot to keep an eye on the new boots. He walked out brilliantly and over rocks and everything. Just like taking the dog for a walk really, Lydia in one hand, Moo in the other. Can't say I would choose this mode of working but his boots didn't rub and so it won't be long before I can do it onboard.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Giravolta
At the beginning of this vid I'm working Moo in giravolta in-hand...not the greatest as he needs to be more 'up' through his shoulder but it gives an idea.
OK this is in answer to Horse of Course's question as to what is giravolta. I've mentioned it a few times on my blog but I can't find a link to anything substantial about it on my blog. Maybe I didn't tag it, so apologies for all you that know but giravolta is basically a moving turn on the forehand. It is great for engaging the horses brain, for stretching and mobilising the rear end and is the perfect 'opposite' to collection and is ideally peppered into training alongside shoulder-in and other lateral work. It sits happily in the toolbox, side by side, with aids to stop a runaway horse (think one rein stops and disengaging the quarters). It is one of my most used exercises both ridden and in-hand. I first heard of it when I was studying to be a trainer and was reading Molly Sivewright's 'Thinking Riding' and it was years before I had first hand experience of using it...I've never looked back :-)
The following is a very basic 'how to' I have copied it from a forum where I was asked to explain the aids for giravolta.
Reading it back I am amused by Belasik's 'one way or another the horse must learn to move away from the aid' well, as he doesn't explain how I'd like to add that one must of course put the horse in such a position as for him to feel complelled to react. I'll explain more another time if anyone is still awake at this point.
*******************************************************************************
This is a quote from Paul Belasik who explains it with the written word much better than I could He talks of having started this exercise with a young unbacked horse after several weeks lunging work but it would work the same for a more established horse and I would use what you are happy lunging in or just a bridle (bitless or otherwise)........**Approach the head and shoulders of the horse. Gathering up the lash of the lunge whip so that it is not flapping about, the trainer strokes the horse's sides, croup and haunches (note from Trudi, this will be good for getting your horse to be less nervous with the whip!!) until the horse stands quietly, comfortable with the touch. Then the trainer will tap, or push with the shaft of the whip (blunt end) , near the horse's barrel where the leg aids will be used (ie near the girth), at the haunches and at the hock to get the horse to take some sideways steps. One should be careful the horse doesn't rush in fear, stand still or (worse) push into the whip in defiance. One way or another the horse must learn to take measured, deliberate and fearless steps away from the pressure of the whip. The movement should circle around the trainer in a kind of turn on the forehand. The inside legs step forward and across the outside legs. The inside rein may have to be tightened to keep the bend to the inside.He goes on to mention the importance of building this up on both reins a little at a time and how psychologically, it calms the horse (demanding submission) and teaches acceptance of the whip. I would also say that to begin with the inside rein is all important and will help you *swing* the quarters in the required direction but as you get better at it introduce the outside rein contact to keep the shoulders lighter and more mobile and THEN you will truly have the best benefit of the giravolta.I hope you enjoy trying this, both Paul Belasik (Dressage for the 21st Century) and Alfons Dietz (Training the horse in Hand) have lovely 'pics and other groundwork exercises in their books and may even be available online secondhand.
*********************************************************************************
OK this is in answer to Horse of Course's question as to what is giravolta. I've mentioned it a few times on my blog but I can't find a link to anything substantial about it on my blog. Maybe I didn't tag it, so apologies for all you that know but giravolta is basically a moving turn on the forehand. It is great for engaging the horses brain, for stretching and mobilising the rear end and is the perfect 'opposite' to collection and is ideally peppered into training alongside shoulder-in and other lateral work. It sits happily in the toolbox, side by side, with aids to stop a runaway horse (think one rein stops and disengaging the quarters). It is one of my most used exercises both ridden and in-hand. I first heard of it when I was studying to be a trainer and was reading Molly Sivewright's 'Thinking Riding' and it was years before I had first hand experience of using it...I've never looked back :-)
The following is a very basic 'how to' I have copied it from a forum where I was asked to explain the aids for giravolta.
Reading it back I am amused by Belasik's 'one way or another the horse must learn to move away from the aid' well, as he doesn't explain how I'd like to add that one must of course put the horse in such a position as for him to feel complelled to react. I'll explain more another time if anyone is still awake at this point.
*******************************************************************************
This is a quote from Paul Belasik who explains it with the written word much better than I could He talks of having started this exercise with a young unbacked horse after several weeks lunging work but it would work the same for a more established horse and I would use what you are happy lunging in or just a bridle (bitless or otherwise)........**Approach the head and shoulders of the horse. Gathering up the lash of the lunge whip so that it is not flapping about, the trainer strokes the horse's sides, croup and haunches (note from Trudi, this will be good for getting your horse to be less nervous with the whip!!) until the horse stands quietly, comfortable with the touch. Then the trainer will tap, or push with the shaft of the whip (blunt end) , near the horse's barrel where the leg aids will be used (ie near the girth), at the haunches and at the hock to get the horse to take some sideways steps. One should be careful the horse doesn't rush in fear, stand still or (worse) push into the whip in defiance. One way or another the horse must learn to take measured, deliberate and fearless steps away from the pressure of the whip. The movement should circle around the trainer in a kind of turn on the forehand. The inside legs step forward and across the outside legs. The inside rein may have to be tightened to keep the bend to the inside.He goes on to mention the importance of building this up on both reins a little at a time and how psychologically, it calms the horse (demanding submission) and teaches acceptance of the whip. I would also say that to begin with the inside rein is all important and will help you *swing* the quarters in the required direction but as you get better at it introduce the outside rein contact to keep the shoulders lighter and more mobile and THEN you will truly have the best benefit of the giravolta.I hope you enjoy trying this, both Paul Belasik (Dressage for the 21st Century) and Alfons Dietz (Training the horse in Hand) have lovely 'pics and other groundwork exercises in their books and may even be available online secondhand.
*********************************************************************************
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
New boots and panties
OK so we now have the new hoof boots and we're working them in (like a new pair of shoes I guess) and we have sussed the putting on, relatively easy and just need to build up the time spent in them.
We had a gentle lunge after some work in-hand. Honestly I can't see any great difference between left and right reins in terms of tracking up. If anything there is a slight reluctance to step under in the giravolta with the left leg but it's only slight. Rein back was good and so we finished after about 20 mins and did the stretching exercises.....little and often for now. Hopefully we'll build up to hacking in the boots over the next week; deep joy, lol.
I'm waiting for Lydia and her two little mates two nod off; it's her first sleep over and omg I'm so desperate to go to bed but at 12.30am they are still talking ponies; arrgghhh.
Monday, August 3, 2009
étiopathe
Well we had our visit from Lise the Etiopathe and I was very impressed. Basically she confirmed what Lucinda the masseuse had said regarding him being out in the wither as the result of something in his lumbar/sacroilliac area. Could be a fall but as this would only be conjecture I'm not even going to try to think what may have happened. It is possibly an old injury as he is a weaker on his right side and isn't engaging that hind as well and is less muscled on that side too.
The ongoing treatment is rebuilding, now that she has worked on him, paying particular attention to working both sides equally but also making sure he uses his left side properly (both the hind and keeping correct bend through his rib/shoulder/neck). Lots of tootling about on the hills and even leading him out for a change as well as bending etc in the school. She was very impressed with his flexibility and said it was excellent for his age but wants him to have exercise every day if I can, little and often. I asked about the glucosamine and she thought it unecessary but then étiopathes are really holistic healers working as naturally as possible and so she advised me not only on which bits were broken but how to keep him healthy in terms of diet and exercise; for example, dried orties (stinging nettles) for keeping him in tip top form (not sure how that will go, lol).
Bizarrely she was sporting a BHS Trec T-shirt which I forgot to ask her about.
Anyway, he behaved, amused and generally enjoyed being centre of attention. He also performed his usual 'out' of rearing when it all got too much (at which Lise christened him 'the clown') and so it took quite a while for her to sort out his front end, little bugger.
Final brief word goes to Chapiro who is just such a darling at the minute (anyone having read previous posts will know that this is a new behaviour!!) I think I've stopped seeing him as the reason for Fidge going and just liking him for himself. Today we did some leaning over and just giving him the idea that one day I'll be up there, he just loves being the man of the moment.
Tomorrow!!! Pics of Moo in his new pied nu's! Too tired to bother tonight but they fit well and he had them on for an hour today.
Oh and yadot Claire......tsuj derob dna sdrawkcab....lol
The ongoing treatment is rebuilding, now that she has worked on him, paying particular attention to working both sides equally but also making sure he uses his left side properly (both the hind and keeping correct bend through his rib/shoulder/neck). Lots of tootling about on the hills and even leading him out for a change as well as bending etc in the school. She was very impressed with his flexibility and said it was excellent for his age but wants him to have exercise every day if I can, little and often. I asked about the glucosamine and she thought it unecessary but then étiopathes are really holistic healers working as naturally as possible and so she advised me not only on which bits were broken but how to keep him healthy in terms of diet and exercise; for example, dried orties (stinging nettles) for keeping him in tip top form (not sure how that will go, lol).
Bizarrely she was sporting a BHS Trec T-shirt which I forgot to ask her about.
Anyway, he behaved, amused and generally enjoyed being centre of attention. He also performed his usual 'out' of rearing when it all got too much (at which Lise christened him 'the clown') and so it took quite a while for her to sort out his front end, little bugger.
Final brief word goes to Chapiro who is just such a darling at the minute (anyone having read previous posts will know that this is a new behaviour!!) I think I've stopped seeing him as the reason for Fidge going and just liking him for himself. Today we did some leaning over and just giving him the idea that one day I'll be up there, he just loves being the man of the moment.
Tomorrow!!! Pics of Moo in his new pied nu's! Too tired to bother tonight but they fit well and he had them on for an hour today.
Oh and yadot Claire......tsuj derob dna sdrawkcab....lol
Sunday, August 2, 2009
yadot
Good day with the neds, worked a little in-hand with Chapiro and he is so quick, may be too quick for an old girl like me :-)
I'm going to use a little clicker training and it's really important to start by teaching him how to be patient and wait for his treat. He is already, like lots of youngsters, a bit mouthy and this work should sort that out too. So basically we stand side by side and I cross my hands in front of me. He comes in to have a mouth around my hands, pockets etc and I ignore him. As soon as he grows bored and looks away then I click and treat. It took about three goes to get the idea but of course it will take a lot longer for it to really stick.
I really have had some great results regarding behavioural issues with CT, certainly Moo is a much nicer boy now that he stands stock still for mounting.
I rode Moo, mainly to get him warmed up for his stretching but also working him in a way that will hopefully stretch out his stiff bits. We had some really good lateral work in walk and trot but he is decidedly less able to stretch to the left; I assume because his right side is tight. Osteo tomorrow so hopefully we'll get to the root of it.
He did his exercises really well and seems rather content at the moment.
I'm going to use a little clicker training and it's really important to start by teaching him how to be patient and wait for his treat. He is already, like lots of youngsters, a bit mouthy and this work should sort that out too. So basically we stand side by side and I cross my hands in front of me. He comes in to have a mouth around my hands, pockets etc and I ignore him. As soon as he grows bored and looks away then I click and treat. It took about three goes to get the idea but of course it will take a lot longer for it to really stick.
I really have had some great results regarding behavioural issues with CT, certainly Moo is a much nicer boy now that he stands stock still for mounting.
I rode Moo, mainly to get him warmed up for his stretching but also working him in a way that will hopefully stretch out his stiff bits. We had some really good lateral work in walk and trot but he is decidedly less able to stretch to the left; I assume because his right side is tight. Osteo tomorrow so hopefully we'll get to the root of it.
He did his exercises really well and seems rather content at the moment.
petit à petit
Lunging today and then stretching afterwards. He's definitely tighter on the right and the Ballerina stretch on the right is a definite 'ouch' for him. Good news; the osteo 'phoned and is coming on Monday; bad news I was in Super U doing my shopping when she called and I took down her email incorrectly, lol, butcher lent me a pen and I'm leaning on his counter trying to hear what she was saying. Oh well I've left a message to contact me for the directions and I guess it will be fine.
On a completely OT subject, RIP Booby Robson....sound guy!!!
On a completely OT subject, RIP Booby Robson....sound guy!!!
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