So You Wanna Trot Now?

A great weekend with new friends. First my Gigi adventure. Her owner asked if I would come up this past Sunday and ride her again. Of course I said "YES!" and was all excited. Come to find out the RI NBHA was being hosted by Cherry Croft so I ran into some old friends as well as making new ones such as Mr. Raymond Dowaliby who is a photographer that they snatched for the runs. They had novice divisions and jackpot barrels where anything goes so Gigi and I got to sign up. We trotted in the warm up and then trotted in the actual run for barrels then cantered back. She loved it! ... And so did I. Then poles came and let me tell you, that filly has a motor! We cantered up the poles, trotted through, then when we spun the last pole I turned her loose with a "Ha!" Everyone started cheering, I could feel how excited she was because I knew it wasn't just me. Her mom loved every minute of it and I think seeing her move like that and be responsible for herself make a confidence boost for when she starts riding again. I can't wait to see them go!

www.dowalibyphotography.com

Rounding the pole for the 2nd time through at the trot.

Run it home baby!

Brantley and I have been having really good rides as usual. I don't think that I bad ride could happen at this point only because... I'm riding. That's all that really matters to me. Bre came and took pictures of us again while she was down for a shoot from Maine. I have to get her website, I know she has a Facebook.com - Redin Photography. She came and watched me ride the day before yesterday after the races with Gigi and I really let Brantley get up and go. I'll post pictures down below!

Yesterday our new roomie L and her pony Charlie got on in the indoor for the first time since she's moved in. I didn't get to watch her ride but the smile on her face when she came back meant it was a great ride. She's had quite the journey with Charlie and it was awesome to see how happy she was.

Lauren and Charlie <3

After L was done riding and I finished my chores, I tacked up B for a quick ride. K and her husband came over and watched. She took a little video which was great. Let me just say, after being able to ride Gigi and get back into my natural riding habits, B and I hauled ass around the indoor. It was great. I was asking him more with my legs and my seat. We did a few simple changes because I've noticed that he loves those. Did a little bit of turning into the fence work which gets him really going. We did minimal trotting, he'd rather lope because he seems to be a little off balance but I'm not going to really complain.

Today I went straight to the barn to ride and made that a priority before I had to rush and do stalls. Tacked him up with his sidepull and set up his fancy one-eared headstall and smooth snaffle over it. He took the bit like always, relaxed with his head down (taking it out was always an issue)... I have yet to ride him with a bit in his mouth and I know CB did it when he took him out to the big arena but after learning about his mouth issues and teeth, I've been kind of weary. Plus it's nice to know I don't HAVE to put a bit in my horse's mouth if I don't need to :) Always a plus. B finally spent time trotting around the ring, staying on the rail, dropping his head, and even rounding out a little when I picked up my inside rein. Any time he started to get quick and pick up his head into flight mode I sat a jog, opened my rein, applied leg pressure, and did a small circle sending him back on the rail. A few times in both directions, he was tipping his nose and relaxing like a champ. We did a few lope circles around the arena, keeping it slow unlike the last two days. A few simple changes, and then I brought him down to a walk and worked on sending his shoulders around until he came to a halt. From there I picked up my rein, applied some pressure behind the cinch, asked him to disengage. I popped my heel on him a couple of times and he finally figured out what I was asking for. I asked him to step over with his shoulder after getting him to step under a few times and he took a couple steps back which was of course my cue to start the backing up process.

Backing a horse is a HUGE tool. It can help you get your horse set up for any movement especially lateral as well as getting them to connect with the body behind them. I do a lot of backing on the ground, getting them to work there hind end and drop down to build their back. Plus it can be a really soothing thing to get their mind working. Something Lu loves to do!

I worked on a concept I learned from a Leslie Desmond DVD I rented (LOVING GIDDYUPFLIX.COM) where you learn to feel and ride the feet. This really makes you think about where the horse's feet are beneath you. I would pick up a rein, think back with my seat, but only focus on bringing one shoulder back. Then I'd pick up on the other rein, think back, and bring that shoulder back. Draw up, release, draw up release... I really need to get some video of this stuff. He started giving into pressure really well. A few more rides with the bit free in his mouth and then we'll take the next step. Now for your picture entertainment!

 

Brantley <3's Auntie Bre