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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Making More Connections 

2/18/2013

 
I rode Sydney again on Wednesday evening, but this time, he was terrible (compared to Monday). I mean head jacked up, body stiff as a board, and every muscle in his body shrieking, RUUUUN! You OTTB!

But he didn't. 

I said, noooooo, we're going to beeeeend. 

He didn't ...

at least not for about 23 minutes. When he finally did bend, the ride was over.

It sounds simple, but it wasn't. It sounds scary and hard, but it wasn't. Instead, it was a fabulously, wonderful opportunity for me to add to my sense of feel.

As soon as I knew that this wasn't going to be one of those canter-so-that-he'll-move-his-feet rides, I focused completely on my aids. I quieted my hands, lightened my seat, and worked through my core.

For the better part of 20 minutes, I placed my left hand on my thigh to say you can bend while my outside rein said no faster. Any time Sydney loosened his neck and relaxed, I gently gave him the inside rein by lifting my hand back to a regular position. Without fail, he squealed and tried to jerk his head away. He was just having none of it. 

I continued on with my hand planted in my thigh and encouraged him to soften his jaw, neck, and shoulders. I even said it out loud. I kept my seat light, but my legs on. When he gave an ounce of softness, I softened every part of my body. When he stiffened back up, usually in the very next stride, I lengthened my back and put my leg back on.

Just a few months ago, I would have been pretty nervous about his desire for an explosion, but now I feel no fear (bye-bye Elephant. Hasta luego!). Chris Cox was right. When we replace fear with knowledge, we have confidence.

As we continued, I started to worry that it might get dark before Sydney finally relaxed and gave me some sequential strides of softness. I doubled my efforts and really focused on what I was trying to achieve. Sally Swift talked about riding with soft eyes. She felt they remove tension from our bodies. I softened my eyes and looked inward. I turned my ear to Sydney and really listened for where the tension was coming from.

I suddenly felt that my outside rein wasn't working together with my inside softening rein. All at once, I felt something click in my brain, and a new AHA hit. In order for the half halt to be effective, the inside rein had to be steady. OOOOHHHHHH!

With a giving inside rein, my half halt was simply wagging his head from side to side. I stiffened my inside rein, and said HALT with the outside. Oh, hallelujah, I got a halt! I asked for a walk, he sprang into a jig, and I repeated the halt. We repeated the exercise several times until he knew what I wanted.

The softness that I'd been searching for happened within just a few minutes. All of a sudden, I understood that I could ask for softness and bend with that inside rein, but I also needed to be firm when I said no faster with my outside rein. The coordination between the two reins suddenly felt like a dance. 

No longer was I was "sawing" back and forth. I could genuinely feel the difference between the two reins. One was asking for softness while the other was slowing down the outside shoulder. We were truly connected.

And it was AWESOME!
Austen link
2/17/2013 11:54:25 pm

Awesome! I've been fighting the seesaw urge FOR A WEEK. Thank you for clearly putting into words what I've been thinking. :)

Those demanding thoroughbreds. They sure do know how to get you to speak to them exactly how they want, eh?

Karen
2/18/2013 12:29:50 am

Sydney is the first (and only) TB I've ever "ridden." I did hop on a former trainer's TB while on the lunge line, but that wasn't riding. Had I known ... :0) Even so, he's an excellent teacher!!!!!

BTW, I checked out your blog - very, very, creative layout! Love it!

Austen link
2/18/2013 04:25:23 am

Aw, thanks! I really enjoy reading yours. I love the way you break down your thoughts as you progress through training (plus, I'm entranced by Speedy's cleanliness...serious compliments there!).

I have to say, I do actually like how exacting my thoroughbred can be with me. It might make progressing through the levels a touch slower and harder, but it makes me a much better trainer and rider. Those demanding types really ensure you have a thorough understanding of the way your actions affect the horse.

martina peterson
2/18/2013 02:21:09 am

sounds like you had a ah ha moment. That must have been exciting for you. I can just picture Sydney feeling proud as well as he responded to your commands. Yes, my daughter has become a truly talented horsewoman!

Karen
2/18/2013 06:55:28 am

Hi, Mom! He was proud of himself for finally teaching his nitwit rider how things are supposed to work! :0)

Lauren link
2/18/2013 03:11:47 am

I haven't heard it phrased in that way before - replace fear with knowledge. I really like it though, going to remember that!

Karen
2/18/2013 06:58:06 am

I think it's true! When we understand something, we're rarely frightened by it. Speedy can rear or bolt, and I am never afraid because I understand why he's doing those things. Now that I know why Sydney rears, bolts, or bucks (he did a lot of bucking today), I can work around it and encourage other behaviors. I am no longer afraid because I replaced the fear with the knowledge of why and what to do! :0)

bonita link
2/19/2013 08:49:06 am

I really love reading about the progress you are making with Sydney. I have a 4 1/2 TB x Appaloosa that spent a year with a beginner rider before I got him - (he was 3 when they bought him), and as a result he is very resistant/hesitant about any contact.

I know he's worried that I'm going to be banging him in the mouth all the time, however, I think that I can use these techniques you've been writing about to show him how to accept contact and that it won't hurt him! Thanks for posting, I am looking forwards to hearing more about your progress with Sydney. :)

bonita

Karen
2/21/2013 09:07:17 am

Thanks for sharing, Bonita. Sydney is not my first horse, but he is my first TB, and I am learning that they are certainly a breed of different needs! I share what seems to work for us, and if someone else finds it useful, my lesson/clinic money has been even better well spent. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home