Tuesday, May 06, 2008

a positive adventure

on my own! We marched off headed to the 20 acre, and she didn't "block" when she saw two people walking towards her. Dwon the hill she did what she did the other week - turned right, to the wood and steep hill, not left to the 20 acre. (bear in mind one can't have an argument on these hills, they're a bit steep). After 2 false starts, she consented to GO UP the steep hill beside the geldings field next to the yard (that is, on the opposite side of that field from the one we'd just gone down) in trot of course as it is very steep (probably 1 in 3!). There was a log looming at the top round the corner we hadn't known about, so she blocked (don't like logs that look at thought they're blocking the way). So i got off and led her in hand the rest of that route - which we hadn't done before in that direction at all, ever (we once came down that hill with gaynor, something I am never doing again it is scary steep!).

So i guess we were out about 3/4 hour. I did try and find somewhere to use as a mounting block, but was pleased I failed (we had another block, despite being led, once we got out into the open again from the tracks as she clocked a pheasant on the ground on the other side of the field (well i assume it was a pheasant, but it might have been a fox? the distance ...). Then that takes us to half way down the drive and out next to a new cattle grid, and we are forced to go down the side of the other gelding's field which was a bit of a chew as they all were following her down from their side of the fence. happily she stayed with me.

she much prefers tarmac drive, but we can't do that any more due to the cattle grid and fencing, burgers.

the arena is 14.5 metres by 22 metres.....so no wonder it's all hard work, we can't even do a 15 metre circle!

OK, now, video.

this is
with the new bit in - i.e., at the end of the session. I still can't get the other one short enough, will have to do some more editing on the bits i chose with the myler combi in, so that will come tomorrow/by the end of the week (tis' very time consuming!)


3 comments:

Jean said...

Molly's bouncing head looks a bit like Chance's unsteadiness. His is a combination of balance and inconsistent "forwardness." When he is forward, his head is down where it should be. Then he drops his back and loses the impulsion for a stride and up goes his head.

At the canter his head is primarily a balance issue, so I am not worried about that yet. I have a feeling from watching that Molly loses the impulsion and up goes her head. If you concentrate more on keeping her stride forward than on what her head does, she might becomes more steady.

I see what you mean about the arena. It is small. Frustrating.

cptrayes said...

Yup that's small. Wider than my barn but quite a lot shorter.

C

Claire said...

i'd much rather be in your barn, caroline!