Video

Fixing the rough spots.

It seems like every winter without fail I send myself back to flatwork. Which is a wonderful thing. I feel like Bunny and I have accomplished more at the New Barn in two weeks than we did in two months at the Old Barn. The last video or two is from there- mostly just for me to keep track of how things are moving along. I haven't had a lesson in almost a month, which is less than ideal, but it does force me to un-suction myself from Patti Wisdom and think for myself.

The first few rides were just a tune-up for myself. I need to fix my equitation problems before I can seriously consider fixing her. I spent most of my time in two-point trying to keep from cocking my right hip forward- that's really the root of my riding evil. Since then I have ridden normally but popped up in two point when I feel my seat slipping. I have also noticed (durrr-hurr) how much tension I keep in my upper thigh, hence all of the weird lower leg issues, so I've been trying to keep most of my contact in my calf. Lastly, after spending about nine hours watching George Morris clinics, I am trying to ride a bit more forward in my tack and keep my hands out in front of me. Sadly, crotch-hands are soo ingrained, but they are better than they were. Want proof? Prepare for eye-bleeding badness.



I try to pretend that never happened.

Anyways, I have been trying to overhaul Bunny's health in general. She dropped a TON of weight this winter from being bullied, but she has picked up quite a bit just since I moved her. She had been getting about eight quarts of SafeChoice/coastal hay and Source HF daily, but now I am switching her to Legacy, BOSS, and Source WT. Because I am an employee at the New Barn, part of my hours go toward her feed and L is getting in a feed shipment tomorrow, which means that is when I will be able to start switching. As of now, she is picking up weight on 4qt SafeChoice/4qt beet pulp, oil, and free choice Bermuda. I really despise SafeChoice with an ungodly passion- can't wait to get her off it.

Ahem.

Riding wise, little mare needs topline. I am trying to work her well enough without burning what she gains. Hm. Even though she had dropped weight, she really wasn't in bad condition, just not as fat as I like 'em. A bit ribby without much padding over her withers, but she still had fat over her tailhead and nothing was prominent. I'd like to put 200 lbs on her, I think. Most of our work-work has been suppling oriented and getting good, clean engagement. For example, yesterday I worked on leg yielding in and out at the canter, and today we did spirals. Our actual exercise was pick up your trot, shoulder in to the corner, pick up the canter, canter a spiral, return to long side in a more extended canter, and pick up the trot at the next corner. We also did some counter-canter loops, playing off of transitioning through shoulder-in: shoulder-in>canter on correct lead>teardrop loopy thing to change direction> continue in canter>walk.

I don't know. I am so happy with how well she is coming along. I have sooo much more to work with now even in terms of her mental state, and it's interesting to figure out our limitations and address them without being afraid of breaking a leg in foot-deep footing. Hm. Here are some stills, at any rate.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

It's grainy, but you get the point.

What's funny? No see-sawing, no beating, no stupidity that went on at Old Barn. Granted, this has taken moooonths, but I am not about to "work her nose in."

And our canter:

Not a word on the equitation. Don't be hatin the half-seat. I am working on it. I just love that her croup is lowered. Anyways, video to come. I just have to get motivated enough to tinker on it.

Lesson vids- the good, bad, and ugly.

Complete with flopping, floundering, and my weird-ass half seat. Patti uses some colorful language- you are forewarned.