It took about 20 minutes of decent trot work, but Skeeter started to really relax and loosen up and was moving very nicely tonight. I used the saddle strap to keep my hands still, and he relaxed and the nose poking started to disappear - he was dropping his head and starting to engage himself more. Just for fun, I did let go of the strap and I was able to help him maintain the frame - his head was nearly vertical in profile and we had a good mutual contact! I took a peep in the mirrors and we looked pretty good! We rode like this for about 15 more minutes, and he seemed happy as anything, and we maintained this same movement and frame.
I am *very* pleased. I thought it would take forever and a day to reach this point. Obviously both he and I are a bit better at this riding thing than I gave us credit for! I am very proud of our joint achievement. I have to say that my instructor in my last lesson zeroed in exactly the thing that was holding us back - my busy, overactive hands! She made a good call on what I needed to work on first. As I was riding, I also noted how shiny and glossy Skeeter's mane was looking (not where my eyes are supposed to be while riding I know!) - he is really looking pretty spiffy and handsome with all this TLC. I am so proud of him and all the positive changes I see happening before my eyes.
After I put Skeeter back in the paddock, there was the most amazing moonrise - the moon was completely orange and rising over the horizon. Quite the amazing way to end a very nice evening with my oh-so-sweet horse.
Question: Can the horse lower his poll and achieve the vertical line with his head if he is *not* engaged in the hindquarters or do the two go hand-in-hand? I sort of assumed Skeets was working his hind-end more when he started to frame up through the head, but perhaps this is not necessarily the case.
I am *very* pleased. I thought it would take forever and a day to reach this point. Obviously both he and I are a bit better at this riding thing than I gave us credit for! I am very proud of our joint achievement. I have to say that my instructor in my last lesson zeroed in exactly the thing that was holding us back - my busy, overactive hands! She made a good call on what I needed to work on first. As I was riding, I also noted how shiny and glossy Skeeter's mane was looking (not where my eyes are supposed to be while riding I know!) - he is really looking pretty spiffy and handsome with all this TLC. I am so proud of him and all the positive changes I see happening before my eyes.
After I put Skeeter back in the paddock, there was the most amazing moonrise - the moon was completely orange and rising over the horizon. Quite the amazing way to end a very nice evening with my oh-so-sweet horse.
Question: Can the horse lower his poll and achieve the vertical line with his head if he is *not* engaged in the hindquarters or do the two go hand-in-hand? I sort of assumed Skeets was working his hind-end more when he started to frame up through the head, but perhaps this is not necessarily the case.
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