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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Responsibility

9/9/2013

 
Lois, the dressage trainer with whom I have recently begun working, is fond of saying that the horse is the strong partner while the rider is the smart partner. I have been trying to be both partners when I ride Sydney. Giving up the responsibility for carrying us both has been difficult; it gives me the feeling of being out of control.

When I rode Sydney on Saturday, my plan was to put into practice Lois's tips from the last lesson and return some of the responsibility. 
  • For now, my reins should be loopy. I can pick up the inside rein to remind him to flex, but then I have to release. I can also pick up the outside rein for a one stride whoa! (shut him down in one stride, says Lois), but then I have to release again.
  • Accuracy on the circle was another thing we need to work on. Lois had me really focus on where I was to hit the rail, but then I need to get off the rail. I allow Sydney to stay on the rail too long which wrecks our geometry.
  • And finally, I wanted to practice sending him forward for one half of the circle and then bring him back to a slower and slower trot for the second half of the circle.
You know what they say about best laid plans. Halfway through our walk warm up, Sydney spooked at an engine noise coming from the other side of the new brick wall. I was actually delighted to have a horse with excess energy as I got to practice schooling him without pulling back.

We moved right into the icky circle where I spur his inside hindquarter to move, move, move. I wanted to give myself a standing ovation when he finally took a deep breath and gave me an ALRIGHT ALREADY drop of the head. We were back in business.

Somewhere near the end of the ride, I realized that I really liked not having to be responsible for holding him up. I work too damn hard in other parts of my life to also be doing his job in the arena. Giving him back the responsibility of maintaining the pace that I set without running off was truly liberating. When he forgot to bend, I gave him a one stride correction that said flex your neck. When he tried to speed up, I gave him a half halt that said no, stay right here.

The more consistent I was with my corrections, the more he started assuming responsibility for being the strong partner. It was a good ride that left me feeling like I had done less work. I hope Sydney felt a bit empowered afterwards; I finally gave him the chance to do his job.

And then I whacked off his mane!
Picture
A shaggy mane!
I usually pull it every few days, but I got a bit behind. The quickest thing was to just put scissors to mane. I'll start evening it out over the next few weeks by pulling.
Picture
Not much better, but at least it's finally short!
Austen link
9/9/2013 01:52:29 am

Such a hard thing to internalize, not doing the horse's work for them. My trainer spent all day Sunday reminding me that it's not my job to trot for my horse, it's his job to trot and my job to tell him where to put his hind legs and shoulders. I think you did a great job!

Some people might yell, but I'm done pulling manes. I did it for years and years, now I shorten them with a bot knife. Don't tell anyone ;)

Karen
9/9/2013 11:03:04 am

I am happy to give up Sydney's job. Let's just hope I can keep giving it up!

I don't pull Speedy's mane of course, and Sydney is so quiet about it that I kind of like doing it every now and then. I make a bit of a counting game out of it (I pull three times he gets a treat) which he seems to like. When it gets unruly though, I have no problem taking the scissors to it!

lytha
9/9/2013 03:26:07 am

i think we riders spend so much time getting a horse to stretch down, we forget that the horse has to take responsibility to carry himself. this is obviously cuz i'be been paying attention to philippe karl: )

i am still looking for a trainer - sent out emails today - hoping to find someone who can get me started with the training scale with my horse. that means eventually getting some reaching down, but probably not until after the forward, rhythm, and relaxation.

i envy you that you're at the stage you're at.

sydney's mane looks gorgeous pulled! i have never done that before but really appreciate that tidy, thick look. i wonder - do you think my horse's mane was pulled? it is such an odd length/thickness. it's thick and shaggy, but even somehow and comes about halfway down her neck. i'm dying to know if she'll develop a traditional arabian mane! that broomstick tail, i don't know what to do about.

this week is the first full week of school and my husband got home tonight and got straight into bed. that's not a good sign. i don't know how you guys do it.

Karen
9/9/2013 11:13:03 am

Lytha - I feel for you. I hope you find a good trainer soon. No matter how much you read or watch videos, nothing is as helpful as a trainer who can watch you ride right now.

Each year that passes, I know that I know so much more, but it always feels as though I am taking tiny steps backward. I think what really happens is that as our "feel" develops, we become more aware of the entire picture and see how enormous it is.

Give your man a small neck massage, rub his feet, or cook him something he likes. All we need is to know that our special someone at least likes us. Teaching is an incredibly demanding job. Thanks for understanding!

lytha
9/16/2013 03:38:42 am

ok i took your advice and gave him a back massage - in the shower: ) we just had a shower built "for two" and have to take advantage of that. sorry if that's TMI. it was just a back massage, nothing more! i think i'm blushing typing this.

Amanda link
9/9/2013 05:24:32 am

This all sounds so familiar. I have been very guilty of trying to carry the "strong" side of this relationship. It is difficult to get past that feeling of being out of control and trust your partner but it is definitely worth it in the end!

Karen
9/9/2013 11:09:04 am

I didn't realize that's what I had been doing. Knowing that I have a partner capable of his share of the work is actually very encouraging!


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.
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    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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    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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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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