Rating Claire's Speed

I was going to make a 30 day video today, but I decided I needed one more day to help Claire to rate her speed. I am going to have Brian film a 30 day video tomorrow of what I have or (haven't) accomplished with Claire. I will definitely have it ready to post by noon tomorrow, and it will probably be too long to download on my blog, but I will give a link to youtube where I will post it.

Here is what I did on Claire:

1. I did some more lateral bending and some more of Stacey Westfall's shoulder out exercise. I tried it at the trot, but Claire doesn't understand it well enough to have enough forward movement to complete the circle without me pulling on her mouth too much. I need to watch the video again, and ask for a little bit more tommorrow.

2. Lots of trotting-- I probably trotted her for a full 20 minutes. I tried taking a circle when she got too fast and that seemed to slow her down. I treat being at the rail as an absolute reward and when she slowed down really nicely, I stopped her and petted her. I 'clicked' for a few slow trots, but more so for head lowering. It worked well, but at first when I got on her, she seemed extra excited and wanted to trot fast. I think I am going to do some light groundwork from now on-- moving her hindquarters and maybe some ground driving with me walking beside her-- before I just hop on her to ride.

3. Sidepassing-- Yeah! She took 3 steps today and I really used my clicker for that. She still has a long way to go. Sometimes it is tempting to want to put spurs on, but I am trying to remember that this is a slow process, and if I take my time, I will not have a horse that will become ill or sour because I ask for too much too soon. I hope I am not making a mistake on this.

4. Cantering-- Claire wanted to canter today, so when I was ready-- we cantered a little. She canters and then after about 1/2 length of the arena, she wants to stop. I don't know if she is just lazy or is learning to carry someone on her back-- again-- I have some more studying and reading to do on this.

5. Backing-- Yeah she backs really good when she gets in the right frame of mind. When she braces against my hand I learned in my reading to turn her right and then left to unlock her, and then she will be more supple to back. I tried this and it worked well.

6. Mounting and dismounting on the right side.



My Plan for Implementing the Western Pleasure Jog:
(suggestions welcome!)


Groundwork:
1. Lots of turning on the forehand and moving the hindquarters over to get the strength in the hindend. I was using the clicker for this, but I feel she knows this well enough, that I will only 'click' occasionally for this. I was reading in the Horse N Rider magazine, that you should always turn the head to you knee to stop forward motion when you ask for the hindquarters (under saddle) to move over, and that this an excellent lateral exercise to build strength in the hindquarters and to build collection in the Western Pleasure jog. I will probably do at least 5 hindquarter moving on both sides before I ever get on. The author said to do this on the ground, you stand at her shoulder holding the lead rope, and then walk towards her hindquarters. If she doesn't move her inside leg, lift her nose in the air and she will step over. Build on this until she is moving her hindquarters over in a full circle. Claire is already doing this really well. One interesting thing that I have found true is that the author said not to use your hand to try to stimulate the feel of your leg to move the hindquarters. It is too hard, but to just walk toward her hindquarters and lift her nose. I have found this to be very true.
After this, I will mount amd do 5 more hindquarter yielding, with lots of flexing the neck and bringing the nose to my knee.

For Departures:

1. Take hold of the reins with the slack out, and 'feel' her mouth. Give slight pressure from my legs, the clucking noise and then move her into the bridle. When she gives to the pressure from my hands, release.

2. Use my 'clicker' and my pressure and release of reins to get her to lower her head.

3. If she gets to fast, take a trot circle out, making the rail a reward and a place where I will stop her when she gets and maintains a slow pace.

4. Never ever bump her with the reins, unless her nose dives down to ground. I will not 'jerk' or bump to get her to lower her head. Instead if she raises her head, I will take ahold of her face and drive her into the bridle, releasing at the first thought she has of lowering her head.

5. To warn her that I am about to take a trot circle-- say 'Easy' and take hold of my reins-shoving my legs into my stirrups. If that doesn't slow her down, take the trot circle.

6. Try to stay off her forehand and keep my butt in the saddle. Claire has a very, very sweepy-- bouncy trot, so I am working on sitting deep in the saddle.

7. Take lots of trot departures, where we don't trot off very far until I stop her, back her and let her rest.


Okay, well a pretty good ride today. Something funny happened when we were riding around the house. My dog ran out of the garage and Claire 'spooked' in place, my thumb was on the clicker and 'accidently' clicked it when she 'spooked' in place. I gave her reward and I thought my accidental timing was perfect!

On a worried note, I am taking Poco to the vet today. I am really nervous I am going to get some bad news on her lameness. I hope it is not navicular.

Look for our '30' day ride tomorrow!!