Manage expectations. That's my new by-word. I figure that I need to have an empty head in terms of what I hope for on a day to day basis. When I was first teaching regularly I would spend hours planning lessons, recording what we achieved etc. Often I would arrive at a client's place to find that the week had not gone as expected and all my preparation went out of the window. Work with what you have, develope as you go and chuck out the plan in favour of an open eye and freedom of thought. I'm not saying that planning is bad, so long as you can adapt as you go. I often think of that awful old game show 'Cathphrase' and the host's oft said 'say what you see', why do we find this so hard? It's as if we lost our belief. So my 'catchphrase' this week is 'work with what you have'.
Anyways, back to Moo and managing expectations. Today I rode in the school, it was so hot that I thought that a good plan (lol) was to have no plan except to give up when we got hot. The walk was pretty good, really relaxed and no sign of any stiffness. The leg yield across the school was balanced and in good rhythm and stepping through (although still not so good from the left as from the right).
Trot work on figure 8's (with trannies in the centre) and serpentines and so calm and steady. We worked for about 45 minutes in all and then the stretches afterwards. A nice day's work.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
friends
Well finally I'm back (thanks to my friend Ray) online. Sadly :-( I've lost every bit of data off my hard drive (Oliveira book, Baucher research and lots of 'photos plus all my email addies) but we're back in business.
On the friends front, I spent a lovely morning with Di yesterday. A cool morning (rare around here at the moment) meant that we could work Anky and Remy in the school. Despite Di's feelings of apprehension, she is doing a great job with both. Anky is such a willing girl and in spite of her health problems it was easy to see what a star she's going to be. Remy is another story, like his mum (Anky) he is very trainable but being a total baby he is just so much fun. When he got away from me on the lunge (my fault) he showed just how extravagent his natural paces are. Good job he's not 2 hands shorter or I'd be horse napping him. Lydia was our video queen until she found Jim, the chooks and picking produce a more entertaining prospect. Thanks Di.
Today I walked Moo round the triangle hack. Kids, cars, trailers and bikes but he was (as always in hand) a good boy. I guess I'll just stick with it until he chills, hopefully soon.
On the 'goat' front he will now pick up each rear foot when tickled with the whip and I guess he'll work out the stepping under soon enough.
On the friends front, I spent a lovely morning with Di yesterday. A cool morning (rare around here at the moment) meant that we could work Anky and Remy in the school. Despite Di's feelings of apprehension, she is doing a great job with both. Anky is such a willing girl and in spite of her health problems it was easy to see what a star she's going to be. Remy is another story, like his mum (Anky) he is very trainable but being a total baby he is just so much fun. When he got away from me on the lunge (my fault) he showed just how extravagent his natural paces are. Good job he's not 2 hands shorter or I'd be horse napping him. Lydia was our video queen until she found Jim, the chooks and picking produce a more entertaining prospect. Thanks Di.
Today I walked Moo round the triangle hack. Kids, cars, trailers and bikes but he was (as always in hand) a good boy. I guess I'll just stick with it until he chills, hopefully soon.
On the 'goat' front he will now pick up each rear foot when tickled with the whip and I guess he'll work out the stepping under soon enough.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
he ain't my hoss he's my goat
Well I'm typing in the sauna that is the study. Too hot for man or horse (or for that matter goat) today but I rode this morning, thank goodness, before it hit 38+.
When he was massaged last week I remarked on the fact that when Lucinda put down his leg after the hamstring stretches, he looked like he was doing the 'goat on a mountain top' exercise that the Iberian trainers use. Then at the week-end I watched the Richard Hinrichs (training in-hand) DVD that Di lent me and low and behold he's using a similar technique of bringing the hinds deeply underneath (in his case to help the piaffe). Thirdly, this week I have been stretching my own spine out by doing a deep 'roll down' in the pilates style whilst seated and keeping a pillow on my lap to 'roll' around. It is the 'best' stretch I have ever done and my back has been much better because of it, yippee. This is goat on a mountain top for me!
So to cut to the detail, yesterday I started to ask in-hand for him to raise a hind when touched with the whip and I hope to progress this to the hinds being lifted and brought more underneath...I'll keep you posted.
Today I rode in the school, fist some lovely in-hand work and he is now almost established in the renvers and have added the reverse pirouette again into the in-hand mix. Headcollar or hackamore he is really fluid in the in-hand work at the moment.
Ridden work started with some work on a long rein, in walk and trot and using figure 8's and serpentines to bend ans stretch. Lots of transitions (keeping it low and relaxed) from trot to walk, trot to halt and some reinback too. A really good session.
Soooooo, after 45 mins I called it a day and tootled down the field to have a relaxed cool down. Uh?? How wrong was I? We got down to the bottom field (he was a bit high but we managed it) and I dismounted under the tree to let him pull some grass and after a few minutes I gathered him up to return up the hill. Just got my leg over the saddle and next door's horse galloped up to the fence and Moo went nuts. Up and down, back and forward in some insane dance. Not sure how I stayed on but I did somehow and gor back up to the yard in one piece. Oh dear, he's such a sweetie in-hand out and about but just panicks when I' on board. I don't know if I have the patience for this at his time of life.
A good day really though if way too hot.
When he was massaged last week I remarked on the fact that when Lucinda put down his leg after the hamstring stretches, he looked like he was doing the 'goat on a mountain top' exercise that the Iberian trainers use. Then at the week-end I watched the Richard Hinrichs (training in-hand) DVD that Di lent me and low and behold he's using a similar technique of bringing the hinds deeply underneath (in his case to help the piaffe). Thirdly, this week I have been stretching my own spine out by doing a deep 'roll down' in the pilates style whilst seated and keeping a pillow on my lap to 'roll' around. It is the 'best' stretch I have ever done and my back has been much better because of it, yippee. This is goat on a mountain top for me!
So to cut to the detail, yesterday I started to ask in-hand for him to raise a hind when touched with the whip and I hope to progress this to the hinds being lifted and brought more underneath...I'll keep you posted.
Today I rode in the school, fist some lovely in-hand work and he is now almost established in the renvers and have added the reverse pirouette again into the in-hand mix. Headcollar or hackamore he is really fluid in the in-hand work at the moment.
Ridden work started with some work on a long rein, in walk and trot and using figure 8's and serpentines to bend ans stretch. Lots of transitions (keeping it low and relaxed) from trot to walk, trot to halt and some reinback too. A really good session.
Soooooo, after 45 mins I called it a day and tootled down the field to have a relaxed cool down. Uh?? How wrong was I? We got down to the bottom field (he was a bit high but we managed it) and I dismounted under the tree to let him pull some grass and after a few minutes I gathered him up to return up the hill. Just got my leg over the saddle and next door's horse galloped up to the fence and Moo went nuts. Up and down, back and forward in some insane dance. Not sure how I stayed on but I did somehow and gor back up to the yard in one piece. Oh dear, he's such a sweetie in-hand out and about but just panicks when I' on board. I don't know if I have the patience for this at his time of life.
A good day really though if way too hot.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Hobo
Is going round in my head...having just bought Charlie Winston's quirky album of the same name, this track is stuck on repeat in my brain, grab a listen.
I'm still puteless so I'll be brief (sharing one sucks and I can hardly get on here) if I' m tardy at responding please don't think I'm rude and btw Claire, thanksvery much for the DVD but sadly it is naked...even got my IT monkey to check and he confirmed it's invisibility :-(
Moo has been working well and we have lunged on the hill between the school and the yard, ridden in the school (yay canter on both reins, a tad fierce but very up and bouncing...defo gonna get into WE lol) and hill walked (ouch). As usual we follow up with stretching and hose down and he seems a very happy bunny.
Anyway, just a brief resume (see if I was on a frenchie board I'd accent that properly) to keep the blog up to date. The last vid is stuck in the ether of my dead 'puter and I'm hoping that we may save all my 'pics and vids on there :-(
I'm still puteless so I'll be brief (sharing one sucks and I can hardly get on here) if I' m tardy at responding please don't think I'm rude and btw Claire, thanksvery much for the DVD but sadly it is naked...even got my IT monkey to check and he confirmed it's invisibility :-(
Moo has been working well and we have lunged on the hill between the school and the yard, ridden in the school (yay canter on both reins, a tad fierce but very up and bouncing...defo gonna get into WE lol) and hill walked (ouch). As usual we follow up with stretching and hose down and he seems a very happy bunny.
Anyway, just a brief resume (see if I was on a frenchie board I'd accent that properly) to keep the blog up to date. The last vid is stuck in the ether of my dead 'puter and I'm hoping that we may save all my 'pics and vids on there :-(
Friday, August 14, 2009
:-(
Oh dear I gone broke my 'puter. I'm typing on hubs laptop (english keyboard) and it's making my brain hurt. Normal service will resume when it's fixed.
Brief communication....had a lovely day with Di, Moo behaved'ish and we drank beer and wine (ha nothing new then) and she brought most of her garden with her (green beans, toms, beets, plums and of course chook eggs) ta Di.
Thanks for the disc Claire, it arrived today. Anyone needing to email use the patrick. instead of trudi.
That's it folks.....ah excpt, Cabruze mentioned the other day about downsizing her equestrian bookshelf. My question to all you bloggers......if you were only allowed to keep one equestrian book, which one would it be and why? I'll start by keeping Waldemar Seunig's Horsemanship; so much common sense and superb equitation that it stands the test of time.
Brief communication....had a lovely day with Di, Moo behaved'ish and we drank beer and wine (ha nothing new then) and she brought most of her garden with her (green beans, toms, beets, plums and of course chook eggs) ta Di.
Thanks for the disc Claire, it arrived today. Anyone needing to email use the patrick. instead of trudi.
That's it folks.....ah excpt, Cabruze mentioned the other day about downsizing her equestrian bookshelf. My question to all you bloggers......if you were only allowed to keep one equestrian book, which one would it be and why? I'll start by keeping Waldemar Seunig's Horsemanship; so much common sense and superb equitation that it stands the test of time.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
carthartic experience
Well thank you to all my blooger contributers :-) I'm feeling *whole* again. Sometimes it's just good to know you're not alone in your thoughts and that the horse *madness* hasn't gotten to you.
Yesterday Moo lunged really well and offered canter so (as Lise said take if he offers) we did and he seemed really good on both reins. Still the slight resistance to engage the right hind but then I've never known a horse not have a resistance somewhere in one hind. He is getting to *chill* with the exercises after work and I'm looking forward to see Lucinda doing them so I can check my technique.
We also lunged Peanut pone and really for an 8 yo Lydia has a cracking manner around the school (me biased ???) but to hold the whip and the rein without getting trussed up like a chicken is still a step too far, lol.
Today was a slightly more frustrating day (nearly had barbeque Moo tonight, only joking Moo). As I have no excuse now not to hack and it was the most glorious day, we donned hoof boots and gaiters and set off down the chemin to our furthermost field. Well we got there but he was reluctant to go too far (a liitle herd love going on) and so we had a trot back up out steep hill and then I asked him to continue past the yard and house and up into the village. Oh poo Mum, I just CAN'T. Well lucky for me, not so much for him, I had all day today. It took me 10 minutes to do 100m or so. Good thing I re-trouved my sense of humour last night or I would have been an unhappy bunny. Got up to the village and returned home, took him back past the yard and on down the hill to the field again...woohoo no problems. Turned around the field and took a trot back up the hill.
Good points:-
We DID get there eventually.
Taking the rein and flexing to one side, followed by a release down and out and then walking on (just like we do in the school) was a key to getting forward movement.
We both kept our cool.
His trot uphill was balanced and relaxed, no stiffness behind.
The boots stayed put and didn't rub.
Not so good points:-
I didn't get to canter :-(
I'm back to sqare one hacking, not an impossible task but frustrating to be back at the bottom of the snakes and ladders board again.
Today Lu-lu made me laugh, she was in the school with Peanut doing some *fun* stuff (I think that probably means fun for her) and he was following her around like a lamb. Walking, trotting and backing without the headcollar. I'm on the yard grooming and she screams up 'can I ride him?' umm, well last week she rode bareback and the monkey bucked her off three times so I say 'up to you but be prepared to land on your butt'. Bless her confidence she vaults on and tootles round the school and he is still doing the lamb impersonation. At least one of us had a good day.
Yesterday Moo lunged really well and offered canter so (as Lise said take if he offers) we did and he seemed really good on both reins. Still the slight resistance to engage the right hind but then I've never known a horse not have a resistance somewhere in one hind. He is getting to *chill* with the exercises after work and I'm looking forward to see Lucinda doing them so I can check my technique.
We also lunged Peanut pone and really for an 8 yo Lydia has a cracking manner around the school (me biased ???) but to hold the whip and the rein without getting trussed up like a chicken is still a step too far, lol.
Today was a slightly more frustrating day (nearly had barbeque Moo tonight, only joking Moo). As I have no excuse now not to hack and it was the most glorious day, we donned hoof boots and gaiters and set off down the chemin to our furthermost field. Well we got there but he was reluctant to go too far (a liitle herd love going on) and so we had a trot back up out steep hill and then I asked him to continue past the yard and house and up into the village. Oh poo Mum, I just CAN'T. Well lucky for me, not so much for him, I had all day today. It took me 10 minutes to do 100m or so. Good thing I re-trouved my sense of humour last night or I would have been an unhappy bunny. Got up to the village and returned home, took him back past the yard and on down the hill to the field again...woohoo no problems. Turned around the field and took a trot back up the hill.
Good points:-
We DID get there eventually.
Taking the rein and flexing to one side, followed by a release down and out and then walking on (just like we do in the school) was a key to getting forward movement.
We both kept our cool.
His trot uphill was balanced and relaxed, no stiffness behind.
The boots stayed put and didn't rub.
Not so good points:-
I didn't get to canter :-(
I'm back to sqare one hacking, not an impossible task but frustrating to be back at the bottom of the snakes and ladders board again.
Today Lu-lu made me laugh, she was in the school with Peanut doing some *fun* stuff (I think that probably means fun for her) and he was following her around like a lamb. Walking, trotting and backing without the headcollar. I'm on the yard grooming and she screams up 'can I ride him?' umm, well last week she rode bareback and the monkey bucked her off three times so I say 'up to you but be prepared to land on your butt'. Bless her confidence she vaults on and tootles round the school and he is still doing the lamb impersonation. At least one of us had a good day.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
dressage vivant
Breaaathe, ah I'm feeling so much better......
A day of rain... joyous, soaking, healing rain. Boys stayed out all day and so I went and did Moo's exercises in the field...bit bemused because we have never done giravolta and leg yield in the paddock but what a revelation. He gave the best work in ages and his Spanish walk is really coming on fast (probably helped by Lucinda and Lise's manipulations).
So with my 'wise' head on I have decided to re-name myself as a dresseuse 'vivante'. I am a person that practises 'living training' or in other words a way to train that encourages the horse in his truest, living, breathing form :-)
A day of rain... joyous, soaking, healing rain. Boys stayed out all day and so I went and did Moo's exercises in the field...bit bemused because we have never done giravolta and leg yield in the paddock but what a revelation. He gave the best work in ages and his Spanish walk is really coming on fast (probably helped by Lucinda and Lise's manipulations).
So with my 'wise' head on I have decided to re-name myself as a dresseuse 'vivante'. I am a person that practises 'living training' or in other words a way to train that encourages the horse in his truest, living, breathing form :-)
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