A Lesson in Rein Length

Given Sydney's on-again-off-again non-relaxed state of mind during work, the goal is now to teach relaxation. Fortunately, Sydney was very relaxed on Wednesday which made the lesson much easier!  The relaxed attitude was no doubt due in part to a change in my attitude (no fear, no fear, no fear).  A strong morning gallop during turnout, the warm sunshine, and a mystery ingredient (more about that tomorrow) were probably factors as well.  Whatever it was, it was for the good!

This lesson was all about maintaining contact with the longest rein possible.  JL had me choose a long rein length that still let me feel the corners of his mouth.  I had a gigantic AHA! moment as we repeated the circle over and over again.  I could finally feel when the contact wasn't even, especially on the inside rein.  To even up the contact, she gave me several choices: widen my hands, raise my hands, or move my elbows back.  For me, moving my elbows back is the most difficult thing to do because no matter how bent I think my elbows are, they're not!

Note to self: bend your elbows!

Instead of bending my elbows, I try to compensate by bending my wrists.  Check out my hands on the video and you'll see what I mean.  Watching the video of the lesson gave me a good look at my body position, most especially my arms.  I can see that when I am sitting up with my shoulders back it is easier and more natural to bend my elbows.  When I hunch forward and close my chest, I can't bring my elbows back.

Note to self: sit up!

I know some people enjoy watching their own rides.  I don't.  Cha Ching's Mom [thank you, thank you, thank you!] gave me at least thirty minutes of video to study.  I made it through one viewing, and that will be all I can watch.  All I see when I watch are the many, many mistakes I am making.  I literally cringe!  Watch it for the entertainment value, or if you're a beginner like me, maybe you'll get something useful from it.  Enjoy?