Monday, March 12, 2007

got on the horse!

felt like weeks since i'd been on Molly although it was probably only a fortnight. all that groundwork, whilst it was successful in itself, has left me forgetting where i was supposed to be. still, with the weather improving i should be able to get back into a routine .. alternate, i always found useful, or even a three activity cycle - flatwork, groundwork, hack...

anyways that's for later inthe year when we get proper light nights.

i felt as though i couldn't get my leg right at all. and she was no way going straight. that was probably down to me, but she was mithering on at the bit from the off which didn't help. i did about 20 minutes or so in walk; she's forgotten what little she had learnt about moving away from the leg. then when someone turned up (i knew this person was stll to arrive, herpony was still out!) i did some trot work and felt i was starting to get it in terms of a low rise and not bouncing. we started off with me on the wrong diagonal everytime, but in due course got to me on the right diagnonal from the off. and almost got some sitting trot back.

need to work harder on the legs

need a lesson ....

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

checked her teeth lately, or does she always mither the bit, like Tetley?

C

Claire said...

generally - some days more than others - past bitting issues (spent 6 months in a dr cooks bb in consequence which helped loads!). teeth checked every 6 months....

Jean said...

Good question about her teeth.

As far as the rest goes, my lessons with Patrice Edwards stress the rider's seat first as the tool to make the horse straight.

Until you can get a lesson, you need to concentrate only on yourself. Sit straight no matter what Molly does. She is trying to throw you to the side she prefers to carry you. Don't let her. (easier said than done.) You might try closing your eyes as you ride and just think about how much weight is in each seatbone. Adjust yourself until it is even. Just let your legs drop--you can even do that without stirrups. As you walk off, you will feel Molly try to shift you. Fix yourself every time she does and she will soon go straight as well.

It is hard to do all this on your own, but if you can just focus on one part of your body at a time starting with your seat, the other parts will gradually align themselves.

And don't beat yourself up about it. Every rider has to work on the same basics all the time, hoping that one day it will all become instinctive....does it ever? *sigh*

Claire said...

jean you're so right.

that's what i'm trying to do, and am really regretting the 2 weeks not riding, despite the progress in other areas!

the bitting issues go back to when she was started, as in fact does the not going right thing...