The Riding/Training - Two great lessons on Elvis and Gus

Two Great Lessons on Elvis and Gus

We got the arena dragged early this morning so the footing was good for lessons. 

I rode Elvis first.   He was very heavy in the hand and a bit pig-headed overall.  I guess you can expect that kind of inconsistency with the youngsters.  He was willing to accept some contact at the walk and trot but was really diving and rubber necked at the canter.  For that reason we did not try many canter laps on him today, but stuck to canter 20 meter circles and trot/canter/trot transitions on the circle.  Those went better.  It was as if he got on the 20 meter circle and recognized it from being lunged and settled down to trying to stay on the circle and keep his balance.  Going large he was all over the place, today.  There have been days in the past when he was fine going large, so I hope there will be more such days in the future.  But today was not a good day for that. 

We also worked on bending at the walk.  This was new for him.  He was a bit confused and resistent at first but eventually got it.  We were working  on leg yields and decided to ask for one or two steps in half pass because he would not straighten or bend in the direction he was going.  This will be something to reinforce and practice in subsequent rides. 

Not so much a wet blanket for him today as a tired brain. 

 

 

I rode Gus second and we worked on his changes!  And he got them!!!  Not perfectly, mind you, and one direction was harder for him than the other.  But he got them!!!!  He was very good and only got a little emotional about my being in his way in one direction.  But I think we got it sorted out and I think with just a little practice he will be super at them.  We started schooling them a couple of years ago but stopped because I wanted to show him second level and I didn't want to lose his beautiful counter-canter.  They seem to be relatively easy for him to do and they are very smooth when they come. 

 

Third Level, here we come!

 

We warmed up at the canter and did trot work last.  That seems to be best for him.  The quality of his canter comes easier and the quality of his trot is always better after the canter work. 

 

 

Gus got a bath, wintergreen and alchohol on his back and stifles, and Bit Butter on those sensitive lips.  What a good horse!