from the horse's mouth

general meanderings on horses, life (well thats the same as horses really), work (so I can afford to do the horses thing)

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Location: Scotland, United Kingdom

Saturday, January 06, 2007

beating the rain clouds

Saturday was a little windy, but we managed to beat the rain clouds. Mum said Fi had looked a little sore on her front leg in the stable, but she lunged fine so I hopped up. She *was* looking for trouble however - keen to tell me just where the rabbit had been last week. I kept her focused - as I had been told "unless WW3 is happening" she has to focus in me... and it was just a bit windy, not WW3 !

After that we rode Rosie and Dudley together in the school. The stubble fields are being ploughed, so we would have gone for a toddle before they disappeared - but by then there were black storm clouds appearing on the horizon... so we stayed close to home.

Mum got a new mounting block for Christmas and it is bright blue - rather like some of the Bloks we have for jumps. Dudley isn't too keen on Bloks - they are noisy if a rope or foot or bit of sand hits them. So I introduced him to it slowly, even putting a treat or two on it for him to eat. That was fine he said :)

He worked nicely, and Rosie ended up being ridden for about 30 mins. She is more distracted with another pony in there than without. Mum started with the wip wop to see if that worked but the wind was blowing it about and it kept sticking to the velcro on her gloves :rolleyes: so she swapped back to the short dressage whip. She finished up with some rein back and turn on forehand, and then trotted forward again before halting.

Sunday was windier - so it was time to long rein. Fi was good and worked nicely into the contact. Rosie next - she still argues a bit about accepting the contact but I could ask for, and get, a few steps of reinback so its coming on nicely.

In the evening I had another watch of Richard Maxwell's DVD and managed to stay awake this time :rolleyes: and watched the first 3 sections. Very interesting and some things to try with Rosie.

I think long lining her with a lower contact may be worth a try in terms of getting her to relax more into a contact.

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