A Lesson in Forward

2/6/2015

The canter. Is there a more complicated gait? I have been working to improve Speedy's canter departure for several years; you'd think we'd have it by now. It's not that hard! Sheesh.

I am poking fun, of course. His departures have improved tremendously as has the overall quality of his canter work. Even so, that's what we worked on with JL during my Monday lesson.

Speedy is a bit of a lazy sort which means he is happy to school around on his forehand and camp his hind end back in yesterday. A lazy rear end does not make for a nice canter departure. JL's technique for getting his butt in gear is to essentially stop the front end from moving (if needs be) to allow the hind end to catch up.

So much wrong with this picture (from November 2011), but it's a perfect example of a rear end stuck in yesterday.

To do this, I shorten the reins, a lot. This isn't about creating an elastic connection and a rounded top line. Instead, it's about proving to Speedy that his hind end must go the same speed as his front end. It feels a lot like revving up his motor. He gets to where he is practically bursting to launch into space.

From July of 2014 - rear end is better engaged at the trot.

Once I get his hind end engaged and active, the trick is for me to NOT throw away his front end in the canter transition by either leaning forward (ack!) or opening my elbows. It's frustrating to get all of that hind end engagement just to throw it all away in the transition.

I know I am maintaining a very solid contact when I find myself leaning back in the transition. This means my seat is pushing him forward, and I am following the up and over movement as his hind legs push up and lift into the canter. When I DON'T throw away the contact, he doesn't fall forward into the canter but lifts UP and over instead. Glorious!

September 2014 - good reach with his hind end, but still some problems (me, mostly!)

So that's my homework for the next couple of weeks. I am to shorten the heck out of my reins, it doesn't need to be pretty, in order to convince Speedy that his hind end must stay connected to his front end. If his hind end doesn't move along, I add my spur (HARD). As soon as Speedy is thinking FORWARD, I can begin to use a more appropriate rein length; one that encourages a softer connection. Until then, it's all about the short rein and a ready spur!

I love you, Speedy G, but I'll love you more when you're moving!

Austen link

2/5/2015 10:04:23 pm

Oh man. I struggle here, too. And as we're trying to improve the canter more and more to be ready for work with changes, ack! One thing I've noticed is that it's less about my upper body and more about my hip angle in the transition. I tend to bring up my knee, turn in my heel, and close my hip angle (which pitches me forward and pinches my seat right out of the saddle). What helps me here is thinking "lengthen my thigh" or "push down my knee" and to keep my leg bent. That longer thigh keeps my seat solidly in the saddle and lets me sit up (instead of back, where I was getting left behind when the transition was good), while still sitting and requiring push from the hind legs.

Arg. If I could find a spare moment I have so many good posts on this and the upper body to write!! Grrrr

Bakersfield Dressage link

2/7/2015 05:37:26 am

Good thing we don't have a time limit, huh?! :0)

emma link

2/5/2015 11:09:36 pm

interesting point about not wanting to 'open your elbows' during the transition... i've been trying to avoid throwing away the contact, but still get dinged for it in lessons... perhaps i should pay closer attention to my elbows too!! (esp since i luvvv dropping my hands haha). love that last pic of Speedy :)

2/7/2015 05:38:39 am

If only we could make out bodies obey!!!! And thanks, I like how workmanlike he is - sometimes he's a bit of a grouch. :0)

Tracy link

2/6/2015 05:04:03 am

My homework is get Miles' hind end more engaged as well! It's time to start working on shortening.

2/7/2015 05:39:46 am

One bummer about dressage is there is no limit to the hind end engagement. Even if we get it nice and solid right now, I'll have to get more at the next level and then more again. Sheesh! :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage