Things to remember

I had my third lesson with Julie today, and it started out wonderfully. Julie noticed how nicely Larry went to work from the git-go. Issues came up in the canter work; he didn't want to bend on the circle, didn't want to round over his topline - and when he did round, he'd break to the trot. And one time, when I felt him start to fall out of the canter and tapped him with the whip, he threw in a hissy-fit buck! Julie is certain it is a strength issue, and will only get better as Larry gets stronger with correct work. He did give me some successful canter work before we ended with some lovely work at the trot, so overall it was a very satisfying lesson.

I have a lesson journal, but decided to type my notes-to-self here. Mostly it is the act of writing/typing them out that helps stick them in my mind anyway. I'll include some explanatory notes in parentheses after some of my notes; feel free to ask about any of them or comment.

~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTES ~~~~~~~~~~~

Stay with his mouth (Larry wants to curl behind the vertical or play giraffe sometimes, and I need to keep contact with his mouth whatever he does. The curling is a tough problem to fix, but after three lessons I'm already seeing a lot of progress, thanks to Julie encouraging me to shorten my reins and take more contact. He won't be able to work correctly on a longer rein until he gets stronger.)

Ask for the stretch (Given all that I said in the prior paragraph, I still need to encourage Larry to open his neck and stretch out in front of the withers, while not letting him curl or dive.)

Transitions, transitions, transitions (Walk-trot, trot-walk, trot-canter, canter-trot, walk-halt - in all of them work to keep proper contact, thinking forward, round, and properly bent on the circle. A slight leg-yield to the outside is often beneficial. If the transition isn't satisfactory, bring him back and do it again. Good transitions can only happen from good gaits. Don't let the energy die in the downward transitions.)

Keep right leg ON and put weight in right stirrup (Going right is Larry's "problem direction," and as a result, I tend to use my lower calf a lot which draws my leg up. I need to use my upper calf more, and remember to keep weight in my right stirrup.)

When changing direction through a half-figure-eight at the trot, control his haunches with my inside and outside legs

Always post on diagonal trot lengthenings

Working on a trot circle, alternate posting with a few steps sitting

Tuck my seat a bit and "sit on my pockets" (a challenge with my "bubble-butt"!)

Stay on the second track when cantering down the long sides; circle if he falls apart

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Remember my "perfect bit" post? Well, look what came back to me! My friend Debbie has also been taking lessons with Julie, and had Julie school her mare one day. Julie's description of Debbie's mare in this lovely, but thick, bit? "Wet cement." So today after Debbie and I had back-to-back lessons, Julie suggested we swap bits, thinking that Debbie's mare may be lighter with the thinner mouthpiece I got from Laura and Larry may prefer the thicker mouthpiece of Debbie's bit. We'll see (I'm crossing my fingers!).

Giant strides

After working so hard yesterday, I wasn't sure how Larry would act during our lesson today. Would he be tired and cranky? Sore and sullen? No - he was even BETTER than yesterday - and even ended up with a foamy mouth for the first time!
(Photo was taken after "the itchiest horse in the world" rubbed his face all over his leg.)

I'm so glad I followed Julie's suggestion to ride with her two days back to back; it really solidified what I need to work on with Larry. I wasn't sure I'd make it today when I woke up to this,
but the roads were just wet. Hopefully, the weather will be better next week for our last ride!

Here is the video that Julie shot today:



Be kind; we've come a long way in just a month!

A good tired

Larry and I had our first lesson with Julie today, and she quickly had us both working our best to date. Julie is always so positive and encouraging, so I knew she'd say nice things about Larry, but I thought she was also quick to perceive what we need to work on. We go back for a second lesson tomorrow, and I'll see if she can get some video of us.

Reunited and it feels so GOOD!

Day by day this week I've gotten increasingly frustrated, wanting to continue Larry's reconditioning and refresher schooling but not getting any cooperation from weather and schedule. But today, in SPITE of some rain, I both lunged and rode him, and it was our best ride yet. I noticed a difference while tacking him up. He's always moved around when I start to fasten the girth, but today he stood quietly. Lunging went about the same, but under saddle he seemed more solid. I've found over the years that short breaks in training sometimes have that effect in a horse, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Tomorrow my son is planning to go to work with his dad, so I should be able to take advantage of a break in the weather if we get one. Then, starting next week is my two-week opportunity to get in some rides with a clinician who will be in the area. I'm so looking forward to some eyes on the ground to help us advance!

Sidelined by sickness and snow

When last I posted, I was coming down with some sort of bug. At first I thought I just had a backache, but then realized that more joints and bones ached, and my lungs felt restricted. No big deal. I rarely get sick and never for very long. I was looking forward to Sunday, when Brian was going to be at a friend's all afternoon and evening and I would have plenty of quality time with Larry (and some with my husband!). But by the time Sunday morning rolled around, I wasn't even up to rolling out of bed. I was vaguely and miserably aware of the passage of hours, including some sunlit ones in the afternoon that would have been perfect for schooling, but was powerless to take advantage of them.

Throughout Sunday night the wind blew strongly, and was gale force by Monday morning. I felt considerably better and headed to the barn to do chores, turning Larry out while I did them. The idea of actually tacking him up came and went as fast as the branches flying off the big firs, and besides, it was starting to spit raindrops like nails and the power went out.

I thought Monday was to be the end of it but no; last night it began to snow. We woke up to four heavy, wet inches of the stuff, with flurries of more - sometimes mixed with rain or hail - through this morning and early afternoon. The arena is a sloppy mess, and probably pretty sucky like quicksand as well. I can only hope for better weather tomorrow!