Still flying (and smiling)

[Nimbus65]

I had the most fabulous lesson yesterday . . . just had to share!

Four/five months ago I was convinced that I was going backwards, was a totally ineffective rider and didn't belong on a horse.

Yesterday, I rode Rocky (who I lurve) and RI decided I should work w/out stirrups to sort out some unlevelness in my seat. Sounds pretty unremarkable? Well.

a) Rocky is very sensitive and sharp
b) I've never ridden him w/out stirrups before
c) We were outside
d) It was windy

Don't get me wrong, I love working w/out stirrups and try and incorporate at least some stirrupless work into every lesson . . . but never before on Rocks and certainly not outside.

Then she said "let's try some canter work w/out stirrups." I've cantered w/out stirrups (on purpose!) exactly twice, both times on v. comfy, dobbin-type horses and both times indoors. My face must have spoken volumes b/c she just said "if I didn't think you were capable, I wouldn't ask you to do it . . . just try . . ."

So I did! Got a lovely, balanced, rocking-horse canter . . . had a bit of a panic when I completely lost coordination of my hand and seat aids and had a bit of problem stopping (he wasn't tanking, he just wasn't sure what I was asking) but I did it and was just buzzing w/ pride.

And then she said . . . "let's try some flying changes . . ."

I've ridden flying changes just once before (on Rocky oddly enough) but the instructor just set it up such that Rocky would do it rather than actually teaching me the aids (if that makes sense) and this time she actually taught me the aid. It was fabulous! At first my aids weren't clear and Rocky got confused and bunny hopped (which made me laugh . . . six months ago it would have made me want to get off) . . . but then we figured out together what we were doing and he did it . . . several times. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a lesson more. It was SUCH fun. And wonderful to feel that movement come from behind - like riding a wave from back to front.

I told her I'd like to work towards learning and perfecting more dressage movements (simple things like shoulder in, counter canter, leg yielding and the odd flying change) depending on the horse I'm on. I like refining my riding and it's a far more realistic goal for me than pushing myself to jump (which I don't particularly enjoy).

Just thought I'd share . . . still grinning :)

N

[Tonto]

that sounds brilliant:) well done!
what exactly did you do to stop the horse from canter without stirrups? i know to tense seat and thigh muscles but are you pulling back with both hands or pulling one rein? i was on a horse last week which was very keen to canter (with stirrups:)) and to stop him i pushed my heels so hard that i was standing against them and pulling back on both reins and it took quite a time for the horse to stop. now if i had lost my stirrups i'm not sure what i would have done:confused:

[Nimbus65]

When I organized my thoughts!

Tense knee and thigh (he's very sensitive to this), long legs (to deepen my seat when he came back to trot), strong half halt w/ the outside rein and then hold onto the front of the saddle and turn him onto a smaller circle . . . bless him, as soon as he knew what I wanted, he obliged and trotted. If it'd thought it through, I'd have asked as I usually do on him - knee and thigh, half halt down the outside rein and slightly more angle in the elbows and then just held on to the front of the saddle once we got trot . . . I just overthought the whole thing and lost the plot a little.

If I'm having to fix against a horse the way you're describing, I feel like I have no brakes and I'd be more inclined to give and take w/ the reins than stand up and pull b/c I know the horse is stronger than I am. Also, turning a horse onto a circle tends to slow it down/bring it back to trot.

Your experience sounds scary.

N

[Tonto]

thanks

when you say give and take w/ the reins do you mean pull back with each alternately? and then pull on inside rein to bring into smaller circles?
it was a bit scary; i think the horse had been in his stable most of the day and wanted a good (fast!) run. it just took me a bit off guard as i'm use to rs horses that just canter a little in a ploddy sort of way:)
anyway i've been reading up on stopping techniques and so far have looked at the one rein stop, emergency dismount and someone who says pull the head round to the inside about 8 inches so the horse doesn't topple. i think the latter may be the best to try if the situation arises again and it ties in with what (i think) you're saying
i did try the EE technique of squeezing and releasing hands in turn in between canters but am not sure if this relaxed him much and didn't feel it would be noticed by the horse when in full swing?

[Nimbus65]

It's not a pull, but more of a squeeze . . . I find if I pull, the horse has something to lean into, falls onto it's forehand, leans on my hands and then I'm back to no brakes. To be honest, how I bring a rushing or strong horse back down from canter depends on the horse and why he's rushing or being strong.

Rocky's sensitive and if you pull/grab hold of his head he just gets stressed, but if you keep him on a circle, keep half halting and give as much rein as you can, he'll stop. I've been known to give him the rein completely (a huge act of trust the first time I did it). He also listens to half halts through the body (squeeze with knee and thigh and "stop" the movement through the core).

Poppy OTOH gets hugely strong out hacking and it's nothing to do w/ being either unbalanced or stressed, merely that she just wants to GO. I hack her on the bottom ring of a three-ring gag, don't let her get into "racing mode" by letting her go in front (where she's more relaxed) and if I find I can't stop, I've been known to point her at a ditch or something I know she won't can't jump. Like Rocky (probably like alot of RS horses) she is prone to leaning on the rider's hands as an evasion/"carry me" tactic, so again, giving and taking w/ the reins means she has to carry herself and gives me back my brakes.

Hope that makes sense.

To be honest, I think you should talk to your instructor about this . . . if you feel unsafe on a RS horse, or you aren't sure what to do, he/she should be able to help you.

N

[Tonto]

thanks nimbus that does make sense:) and yes my ri is very helpful; i just tend to mull over every possible scenario when i'm in between lessons:rolleyes: