It's All About the Bend

We would be complete and total rock stars if I could remember to get a bend and if Speedy would offer a bend. It really and truly is about the bend. I should clarify; it's all about a soft bend.

I had a lesson with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, a week or so ago. Before she got to the ranch, I warmed Speedy up with some walk and trot. I had given him three days off after a bareback with a halter ride, so his attitude was much improved.

Horse Expo in Sacramento - 2017

I told Chemaine what I was struggling with: Speedy was feeling anxious about the flying change, so he was bolting through the set up (the change of bend). Chemaine listened thoughtfully, and then I suggested she ride him. I love it when she rides my horses because it gives me an idea of how I should ride my horses.

Horse Expo - back when we were trying to develop more thrust with his poll up.

Chemaine got on him and very quickly came up with a solution. Instead of asking for the change, she set him up for it, but then just rode the canter counter. She did several laps that way. Here and there she changed the bend and got him soft on the new inside rein, but her seat said hold the lead you're on.

When she felt that he could give her the new bend, soften, and relax, she asked for the flying changing, and got it. I got on him and worked through the same thing. Instead of asking for the change, I only asked for the bend. She made it look easy of course, but going back a step to improve the counter canter really worked.

My new plan is to focus on getting a softer change of bend wherever I want in the arena. And when I feel that Speedy is soft on the inside rein, that's when I can ask for the flying change. 

We're always working on being softer on both reins.

It's amazing how much better things go when I actually use a half halt the way it's supposed to be used. The changes are there, I just need to set him up for them correctly.