PMG & Fords (of two sorts..)

PMG first - that's Peter Maddison Greenwell - did a lecture demo at a local EC last night; Steph came down from Scotland, and Vic & Nicola, and loads of other people. 

I didn't post last night, as it was late and I wanted to reflect before commenting.

One spectator got thoroughly told off by a lot of people, including me, and I repeat here what i said quite vociferously at the time - if she thought PMG rollkurs his horses, she needs her eyes testing.  She clearly didn't understand a thing that she saw, in particular that.  She left at the interval, having had that altercation.

1. he was showing us what we shouldn't do, as well as what we should!
2. the breed has a tendency to "curl back" and if you're busy showing people what they shoudln't do, it's bound to have an effect!
3. he doesn't have the horses warmed up before they come into the arena, he warms them up in front of you whilst lecturing, so you don't see the finished product immediately.
   

also, I have to say (and i've said it to him in an email) I think he relaxes more himself when riding with one hand than with two hands, I think he spends so much time riding one handed it's more comfortable for him.

What was really clear was the "body stop stop" - that is, stop the horse by stopping your body!

It was also really clear how to do shoulder in (not that that'll help me replicate it, but helps understanding of what to do, LOL).

The garrocha work was fantastic - on a 21 year old horse that was SOOOO supple it was unreal, proof that good gymnastic work will help a horse keep going into a good old age!

and the Q & A at the end was interesting - Trudi, i specifially asked, on both our behalfs, whether or not he thought good high level work was achieveable bitless, and he thought it was.  He'd had one experience with a Dr Cook's, and after a little play with said horse and bridle, had it soft etc and thinks it can be done. (i still think, the more so having seen him, that it's all in the seat!).

So that was last night.  no pics, sorry.

Now, fords, today.

Ford 1

Steph stayed over and this morning we went down with a view to riding molly up to Blackdene, using that arena, and riding back.  This was all very successful - Molly was very good going up, despite a halt as she clocked the YO's dog through the willow and we had to wait until it came up to Steph and Steph was in front of us, but then she was more than happy to go under the willow and take the lead most of hte way to blackdene, including on the road.

She worked well at the Blackdene arena, as I expected, as there's a  good space there unlike the one at Harbour House.  Here's some pics of Molly ridden by Stephanie - we forgot to take any pics of me!

then back down the way we had come - and she went THROUGH  the ford, of her own volition, without a lead - steph was behind us and to our left.  VERY pleased with that.

She needs a clip, though!

Ford 2

Gaynor lives at a cottage near where there used to be a ford and moved her horse down to there - this is all part of the same estate as the yard i'm currently on - with another horse and owner.  Had a falling out with other horse's owner for reasons that need not be gone into here, and asked me if i'd move Molly down there - you may recall that i mentioned this when i moved back to HH, had she known i'd wanted to move off blackdene she'd have asked me then.

anyway, I've decided to do that.  it'll be just the 2 of us, and the 2 horses, very quiet, i'm so HOPING that molly wil be cool about it, she's shared a field with GAynor's Charlie before for a year or so so that shouldn't be a problem ...

I'll be able to use the arena at the main yard over the bridge, and YM has said that if it doesn't work out for Molly there'll be another stable ..

Whilst moving AGAIN after only 2 months is probably not ideal ... we think it'll actually be good for molls in terms of new tracks to longline on (i've never ridden that half of the estate anyway) less traffic altogether, there'll only be us usually using that track

plus we're allowed to put big bale in the field, which will work out much better over all.  they won't be rushing their food when they come in, and won't be screaming to be in at lunchtimes over the winter!

So that's next weekend.  We had wanted to do it tomorrow (would have made more sense for me, as partner's away this weekend) but it'll be next weekend, YM says, whilst she sorts others out and lets people know

We have to poo pick the field, as it's only small, but that's not a hardship (it'll be a benefit, LOL)