DefinitelyDressage.com

So different horses seem so different but the funny thing is so much of the same thing works on them. I did the school canter on Saiph and it took at least three months of strengthening to show the goal and a lot of it was just having faith that it would improve.

However I did not have that faith with Kimba. Saiph taught me how long it takes on a horse worth a true canter so I decided to have faith and give Kimba six months. The jury is still out on that.

Now Cali. He would scurry into the canter and I would live with it because as a trotting buggy horse and I gave allowance. So video one. Early green canter.
https://youtube.com/shorts/8UpTopQgy5w?feature=share

Second video, expectation of maintaining rhythm in transition. Purposefully over bending in downward transition to begin to show him he doesn't have to droo out and throw his neck up for balance. https://youtu.be/eLuZdBzekqU

His canter now is a bit more balanced in transitions and now he too needs to learn school.
canter. I shat try to pivo the next step for reference. Obviously I did not ride shoulder fore in the downward, and equally obviously I probably should have.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LF4T1Cj7UoU?feature=share

A really productive ride this morning. The canter work was only a tiny portion, we mostly worked on trot. But I want to keep posting videos here for the sake of progression

Not clean changes, but a much better feeling in my hands, and his response (even if a bit discombobulated) was on the aid and keen every time, with no lag or anticipation, which felt great to ride.

https://youtu.be/B9nsTgf1s-k

https://youtu.be/MBZsgOy4F-M

https://youtu.be/s0pIaWv9WdU

Chisamba wrote:So different horses seem so different but the funny thing is so much of the same thing works on them. I did the school canter on Saiph and it took at least three months of strengthening to show the goal and a lot of it was just having faith that it would improve.

However I did not have that faith with Kimba. Saiph taught me how long it takes on a horse worth a true canter so I decided to have faith and give Kimba six months. The jury is still out on that.

Now Cali. He would scurry into the canter and I would live with it because as a trotting buggy horse and I gave allowance. So video one. Early green canter.
https://youtube.com/shorts/8UpTopQgy5w?feature=share

Second video, expectation of maintaining rhythm in transition. Purposefully over bending in downward transition to begin to show him he doesn't have to droo out and throw his neck up for balance. https://youtu.be/eLuZdBzekqU

His canter now is a bit more balanced in transitions and now he too needs to learn school.
canter. I shat try to pivo the next step for reference. Obviously I did not ride shoulder fore in the downward, and equally obviously I probably should have.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LF4T1Cj7UoU?feature=share

I love the progression from the first video to the third, this is what it's all about

mari wrote:A really productive ride this morning. The canter work was only a tiny portion, we mostly worked on trot. But I want to keep posting videos here for the sake of progression

Not clean changes, but a much better feeling in my hands, and his response (even if a bit discombobulated) was on the aid and keen every time, with no lag or anticipation, which felt great to ride.

https://youtu.be/B9nsTgf1s-k

https://youtu.be/MBZsgOy4F-M

https://youtu.be/s0pIaWv9WdU

I believe he is more balanced and your focus on his canter showed up in flying change. You must be chuffed

I am happy! Your and the others' feedback gave me the push I needed to focus, let's see how long it lasts :p

mari wrote:I am happy! Your and the others' feedback gave me the push I needed to focus, let's see how long it lasts :p

If it becomes rewarding it will become a forever direction

Just watched your videos, Mari. Yes, he's listening and waiting and much more on your aids!

And Chisamba said "chuffed." How very English

Videos to add:)

From our Cedar clinic this past weekend

https://youtu.be/6SrXMmhTaFw

https://youtu.be/sykT9uoONsw

https://youtu.be/H_7R2ZFuR98

Working on a forward piaffe to get Joplin more through

Joplin is looking good Khall. Thanks for sharing!

Yay!new vids! Joplin is looking very nice, Khall. I love that canter. I would guess her FC’s will be quite expressive. She’s a fun one to watch. Thanks for sharing.

khall--I love the in hand work. Just a thought from the other videos--your legs seem too far back on both sides all of the time and stirrups too long. I just got the leg too far back feedback, so have been working on getting both horses more responsive so I don't feel like I need to do that. (A lot of quickness in everything I do.)

Tanga yes absolutely spot on. Working on my position is my top priority.

Tanga wrote:khall--I love the in hand work. Just a thought from the other videos--your legs seem too far back on both sides all of the time and stirrups too long. I just got the leg too far back feedback, so have been working on getting both horses more responsive so I don't feel like I need to do that. (A lot of quickness in everything I do.)

Khall Joplin is gorgeous! I have serious horse envy. I agree with Tanga, shorter stirrups will also help you not to collapse your shoulder to the outside when your leg goes back (look at when you give the aid for right canter, in the second listed video), I think.

khall wrote:Tanga yes absolutely spot on. Working on my position is my top priority.

Me, too! Besides working on my legs, I'm trying to keep my left hip forward and how to do that to fix my swingy changes. I do not know why it works and how to get the feel yet, but when I do it, it works!

Joplin is so pretty! She's coming along so well. My right leg is rogue, it always wants to go back. I'm going to have to tie it to the girth again for a while!

Thanks everyone for the compliments on Joplin. She is definitely very special to me. She is 3 rd generation mare line that I’ve bred and raised and trained. By far the nicest horse I’ve bred to date. With much help from Cedar we are progressing and having so much fun.

I have a couple of trot videos to share as well. Cedar had me moving between different lateral exercises. In SI or counter SI she would have me push for a bigger trot then come back in either HI or renvere to collect. Renvere in left bend is the hardest for Joplin she wants to stay on her left shoulder.

https://youtu.be/pBZCCCngu5A

https://youtu.be/Gv8WAQ3C9N8

Cedar is a big believer in switching from one lateral exercise to another to really challenge the balance of the horse. Joplin handles the difficulty well even though she might protest a bit renvere left bend.

Nice Khall! My instructor does similar. Last clinic had us halfpass, into piri (or large travers circle but have them straighter) into renvers piri, then back out into half pass. Really concentrating on having them equally weighted on their shoulders. Do it in walk, trot and canter. Help them come up and lighten the shoulders. It was challenging!

Khall, my trainer has me do that too. We probably don't do it as well as you guys though!

Joplin looks like so much fun!

Here is how Annabelle's trot HP is coming along. Left kind of tends to fall apart after several steps. The nice thing about training lateral work on a slope, is how much easier it is when we get to a flat arena. I do try to do both directions up and downslope to keep it even.

https://youtu.be/CLIOyms0UTo

SF Joplin is just a joy to ride. Both my mares are fun Joplin is just a bit easier and more talented that Gaila. Both are in a similar place of training with Gaila having an edge in her canter and Joplin being better with the piaffe work. Good place to be having two nice cooperative horses to ride.

Those are lovely half passes!!!

The halfpasses do seem to be coming along really nicely!

One suggestion--you might want to try doing shoulder-in rather than haunches-in before starting the half pass as it seems like she could benefit from the shoulder leading a bit more in the actual HP, it might also be easier to maintain a clearer bend throughout the full HP.

Thanks Blob - I should probably try to switch it up. She used to be so stiff behind the saddle the hips would just trail but now I can catch her hips pretty well. I'll try stair step SI to HP on our next ride and see how it goes.

So at first I wasn't going to post this due to the fact that Brandon and I are going through another ugh the saddle doesn't fit perfectly in the expanding young horse phase, thus putting me in more of a chair seat position than I would like; but, it does demonstrate the training phase we're going through and the fact that I have to be adamant with Brandon - We are NOT going to run into the canter. His balance is getting better. He does seem to go steadier in the Micklem bridle. Junior got the Baucher bit (and seems to like it). There's some rough go and Pivo started losing me but the canter departs did get better as we continued and his trot always improves after the canter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jCftZUDaNM

Exvet--the link doesn't seem to be working, it says video unavailable when I click on it.

blob wrote:Exvet--the link doesn't seem to be working, it says video unavailable when I click on it.

I changed it from private to public. Looks like it just took a while for the update to register. See if it works now. Thx.

Wow exvet, Brandon looks better everytime! Well done.

I'm going to be trying out a Micklem soon too. Actually I'm not fond of how they look but if they help the horse go better than who cares.

Exvet, I really like your ponies. I think they are super quality. I've been judging a lot this year and have more and would give yours good scores.

An idea for the canter you may or may not want to try. I went back to really simple signals for the gaits so I could stop MY issues, esp. leaning forward into canter. For the canter, as well as the other prep., I wiggle, wiggle the inside rein as a prep. for canter so it really tells them "we're going to canter in this direction and I want you to give to the rein, not flip your heard up."

I think your position looks quite nice, actually, Exvet. I was admiring how quiet your leg is throughout the video. Brandon sure has bulked up a good bit in the last few months!

I think the work looks like good progress and there are some nice transitions in there--particularly w-t-w. One thing I noticed, which you likely have too, is that his contact is steadiest just after you pick up the trot from the walk, which he'll sustain for 10ish strides or so, and also at the end when you go from canter to trot. So it does seem like his trot work and connection benefits from all the transition work.

And on blob’s observations exvet have you tried several or at least more than one t c transitions in a sequence? I found with Joplin the more I asked in sequence the better they got

exvet, I'm amazed how much Brandon has bulked up!

Back from my road trip (gotta say, weather was a fun challenge, lol) thought I'd be brave and post a link to the little vid I did of Rudy and I Saturday last. I just wanted to see how bad my seat had gotten since I didn't ride much this winter and had re-injured my back in late February. Not as bad as I feared, but I was surprised to discover that I got tense just doing this quick vid. Gotta work on that or else showing will not go well!

https://youtu.be/6n67Bv1LCUc

Btw, part of the reason I headed to Northern Idaho, was to attend the Northwest Horn Symposium. There were a lot of classes on "Fearless Performance", and how to manage tension so it doesn't adversely affect your ability to play. So, while I am not ready for any performances outside of church, I can use thoat information and skills acquired in showing. Looking forward to it!

Exvet, I also notice how much Brandon is filling out! He looks very improved in the work, too. Thanks for going ahead and posting that vid. It is especially educational for me. I needed to see how you handled his fussiness/ refusal (right around 7:00 minute mark). I think you were asking for right canter from trot and he said no thanks. You calmly and steadily held your ground and kept the same rein length throughout, even after he got on board.

Nice video, SueB! Rudy looks very good all around. Steady in the bridle, and steady in the rhythm (both things I am envying right now!) I like the legyields to half pass and also your canter to walk transitions. Walk to canter looked good, too. I think his gaits are really lovely and would never believe he is conformationally challenged if I hadn’t seen conformation shots.

Are you using a PIvo? If so, Im guessing you’re using the predictive follow setting. That’s a good setting if you want to send a test in for virtual competition, but I like auto zoom a whole lot better for studying my riding.

LoL Morgans and Welsh Cobs aren't for those who prefer the greyhound physique I'm afraid Brandon shows signs of more 'exploding' in terms of growth. His current width is what has caused me to fall back into a somewhat chair seat position at times. I'm going to wait for him to stop growing before I think of moving on to another saddle. Thank you for the comments. I will definitely give all of the suggestions a try - nothing ventured, nothing gained. For those who've asked I have done several canter-trot-canter transitions in sequence. For the most part they do help but sometimes he gets too anticipatory if you know what I mean.

exvet wrote:So at first I wasn't going to post this due to the fact that Brandon and I are going through another ugh the saddle doesn't fit perfectly in the expanding young horse phase, thus putting me in more of a chair seat position than I would like; but, it does demonstrate the training phase we're going through and the fact that I have to be adamant with Brandon - We are NOT going to run into the canter. His balance is getting better. He does seem to go steadier in the Micklem bridle. Junior got the Baucher bit (and seems to like it). There's some rough go and Pivo started losing me but the canter departs did get better as we continued and his trot always improves after the canter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jCftZUDaNM

He's such a little powerhouse, love watching him!

Sue B, I think you guys like really good!! Thanks for sharing I always enjoy watching everybody.
That symposium sounds right up my alley. I definitely can be tense and have some wicked performance anxiety.

Exvet, your lower leg is so stable and still. How do you do that? I struggle with mine being wobbly. I blame it on my wide horses and fat thighs but I think there's more to it
Its interesting watching people work through some issues, not just seeing everyone's 'perfect' work.

Sue B, yes looking like you are doing fine too. I also get a bit angsty when I want to have something on the video. It's so annoying!

Wanted to add, we started a piaffe video thread once. Maybe I'll resurrect that? Or just add in here?

I would resurrect the piaffe thread so we can follow it a bit easier. Or start a new one

Very short bit of Pal with her newfound slightly larger trot. Of course I got greedy and pushed her out of balance but since she's still cute I thought I'd share anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHcrmXoKAA

Imperini, I love it!!

Totally love it, Imperini!! You both look good.I watched it 3X!!! i love that you are still working at it and having great results. It gives me hope for my own little horse!

Imperini, nice to see you and Pal!

Here is my contribution, practicing transitions in SI that were introduced in my last lesson. It's an interesting exercise in shoulder control and executing multiple demands simultaneously. I've done a little W/T/W in SI on my own, but no trot/halt or trot/canter, so this is basically our second time with this and it needs plenty of work. https://youtu.be/EoxvKnLLeGM

Straightforward, really nice! I especially love the camera angle down the close long side. Makes it really clear to see!

Imperini wrote:Very short bit of Pal with her newfound slightly larger trot. Of course I got greedy and pushed her out of balance but since she's still cute I thought I'd share anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHcrmXoKAA

I am a sucker for the spotty ones. So lovely!

I also love seeing Pal! Well done.

Glad there are a lot of good reports here and on the main thread. I shall not post a video of us tack walking, although we are both watching our posture!

https://youtu.be/9l7MrO0m5WE
Here is a video of Lynx with the dressage trainer on him. It was at the end of my lesson, I just asked her to hop on for a minute to see.

Please no overly critical comments on the trainer, she's a silver medalist that I trust a lot.

But I definitely think Lynx perhaps had re-tweaked his stifle or SI. What is encouraging is so far this week he seems like he does get better with more work but I'm cautiously watching. I had emailed my vet but they wanted me to give it another week or two with very focused stifle work.

He gets a little behind the bridle at times but I think it's pretty clearly a strength thing. Regardless, I am going to try a different bit and also we are getting both of my saddles checked in early May.

https://youtu.be/Jac4bFrZsqk here is the other direction, he definitely has a harder time this way and you can see a little bit of that head tossing behavior.

We will see. We have one more week and if things aren't improving even more then I would like the vet out. But so far he does seem to be improving so fingers crossed.

Boss trainer and I were discussing this in my lesson yesterday. Every horse has a harder way. (Heck, I have a harder way!) Then you plug away diligently at the harder way, and it becomes the easier way, and then you focus a bit more on the new harder side, and so it goes on.

I think he's looking pretty good, especially considering he's basically a baby. He's willing to go forward and listening to your trainer, who is a nice rider.

He looks to me like he's growing and changing through his body, so he's probably working that out, too, and he's doing it with a kind and generous spirit.

I agree with Mountaineer that nothing in that video is overly concerning to me. There are times when he could definitely move out bigger esp in the trot, but I think as he learns to use his body better and bend more through the ribcage that will also improve.

Of course, I also don't have the same reference frame as you do, LSP. So something might look very normal but could be different/worse than what it was before. I think something you can keep an eye on, but not something i would be overly worried about if I were you. The head tossing also seems like a strength, boundary testing type behavior and I would expect it to go away without too much trouble.

Ditto with M. and Blob. Nothing obviously concerning---but you have the reference feel and eye on a change. I have learned a lot about noticing changes from the sports vet who visits my current barn and from a more experienced trainer. Change on normal is a clue for assessment.I'll admit that I have missed that sometimes.

I feel like you know the work you're doing is good when the "harder" way switches. Then it switches back. Then it switches. It is definitely part of the process!

Moutaineer wrote:Boss trainer and I were discussing this in my lesson yesterday. Every horse has a harder way. (Heck, I have a harder way!) Then you plug away diligently at the harder way, and it becomes the easier way, and then you focus a bit more on the new harder side, and so it goes on.

I think he's looking pretty good, especially considering he's basically a baby. He's willing to go forward and listening to your trainer, who is a nice rider.

He looks to me like he's growing and changing through his body, so he's probably working that out, too, and he's doing it with a kind and generous spirit.

We have definitely had that switching phenomenon especially regarding the canter! Usually the right lead is harder but there has definitely been weeks that it flipped!

He definitely is growing (grew out of one blanket, his butt hangs out LOL.) And I know they definitely can get a little funky in the stifles just in general when they are growing. It's just so hard not to feel paranoid especially when he started standing funky. But hind shoes on seemed to solve that instantly.

He definitely always looks happy (even with my amateur butt up there.) I like to take that as a good sign.

Young horses are so tricky because it is always trying to figure out what is just young mind and body versus when something needs to get looked at.

I think we're going to continue onward and as long as it seems like he is so getting stronger and not worse we will just continue on.