Slightly Frustrated
School has been really bad lately. We took a practice test for Step I (medical school boards taken after the first two years) and I basically did horribly. I got my results this afternoon and cried all the way to the barn. I need to relearn EVERYTHING about basic medical sciences in the next eight weeks. Nothing like a little pressure to make life more fun.
But visiting my boy was great for lifting my spirits this afternoon. I have ridden him every day this week, and he gets tomorrow completely off. When I got to the barn it was completely deserted. I told myself I shouldn’t ride when nobody else is there, but then I just couldn’t resist. There’s something not too smart about riding your new, young, slightly clumsy horse without anyone around to call 911. And it was also ridiculously windy today. But I couldn’t talk myself out of riding, so I did.
Nico was hanging out in the pasture and let me catch him (one day earlier in the week he walked away from me… Grrr…) and then I took him back to the completely deserted barn. He was soooo good. I think it was his nap time because he was almost comatose in the crossties. I pulled out my scissors and trimmed the worst of his whiskers, so now he doesn’t look like an old man anymore. He was really good and held really still. I know scissors are kind of dumb, but I can’t afford clippers anytime soon. So for now, safety scissors are my best friend.
And then I found a bite mark or something under his mane. It wasn’t bleeding, but it was a little swollen and missing some hair. I talked to the barn manager before I left and she said she would check it tomorrow and make sure it looks the same or better.
And then I had the nicest ride on my pony. We just walked and trotted. He has been extremely forward and bouncy with the trot lately. I think it’s because we’re riding outside now. But I was able to use half-halts effectively and get him trotting in a more pleasant manner. I worked for awhile to get him to soften a little and not trot with his head in the air, but he would just not give an inch. All I wanted was a slight give and we would have stopped, but he would just not budge. In the past I have worked with trainers who used draw reins to get the horse to round up a little, but I am not planning on using draw reins with Nico. So how do you guys do it without draw reins? Side reins and lunging? He flexes laterally very well, but we can’t seem to figure this one out.
I can’t help but think that his canter departures would be easier if I could round him up a little in the trot. After giving up on that today, I asked him to “Whoa” and it took like fifteen steps to get him to stop. So we worked on halting for awhile and that just got me really frustrated. I know he’s a baby, but come on! He stopped great a few weeks ago! Maybe I need to go buy a Tom Thumb bit like the seller used on him 
He’d probably stop if I hit him with that a few times.
So now I’m off to study all evening. I’ve got so much to learn. Ugh.
haffiegirl
I started Kaswyn with side reins while lunging, but if I was doing it again I wouldn’t use them. It didn’t have a detrimental effect on him but it took him longer to learn to go to the bit like they should in dressage, since the side reins (and German martingale that I used) got him to back off of the bit pressure to get round.
It just takes time of taking contact with the horse and trying to soften the neck and get the horse to lower the head and accept the contact. When the horse does this, the rider gives with the hands, and that’s the reward. Eventually the horse learns to seek the contact without pulling, at the same time accepting the bit softly. That’s hugely simplified and makes it sound easy, but it take a lot of work.
My sister uses side-reins to lounge before she rides. I don’t like using a fork or martingale on horses, personally I think it’s a bit of a crutch for the horse and rider. Like dressage mom says, it’s about the reward (release.) I use an exercise I got from trainer Ken McNabb, a softening “s” exercise. You essentially keep the horse moving forward at a walk, then reach down, grab the rein, lock your elbow, in an attempt to get them to not only turn direction, but to drop their head. The instant they drop that nose you drop that rein with that hand and give them release. My horse will do it well to one side, but he braces a little on the bit the other way. But even after 15 minutes of doing this the first time he was dropping and turning when I reached down and picked up one rein, seeking that release. You do feel like you are weaving all over the arena a bit. The important thing is getting them to give and drop when they feel that pressure, it’s not about staying on the rail or making perfect circles, it’s just an exercise. Okay, that is probably a confusing lesson in the comments section! But I think it’s all in the timing of how you ask and how you reward them for giving into the pressure. It’s a fine line, which I am still working on myself!
How great that you had the barn to yourself…I bet it was nice for a change. Too funny, your comment about nobody being there to call 911….lol I think about that all the time when I ride alone, too!! Good luck with the test at school….
I have spent some time in the saddle of green horses and will try to explain what I do. I think that every youngster should do the long and low frame. Think like training level dressage. Once I have implusion and rhythm I start with the contact. I try and keep it light, maybe 3 lbs of pressure in each rein. Just enough for me to feel the horse and the horse to feel me. I try and make my hands as quiet and steady as possible. It is really hard for me. Once I have even contact I try and follow the horses face. For example, if the youngester throws their face in the air I raise my hands trying to keep the same amount of contact they had when their face was lower. Don’t forget to shorten your reins if you need to…no one wants to see you be able to cop a feel of yourself when you ride
Once they are at least consistant into the contact I think of squeezing my ring finger to my palm in a rhythmic way a few times (softening) and they should make the horse do something. When they drop there head, even a tiny bit I praise a ton with my voice and give just a little bit forward with my hand. If you do that consistantly Nico will figure it out. All horses do. Doing it this way takes time though, unlike the quick fix of draw reins. I hope that helps and was not confusing. I just know how to do it by feel you know.
Good job, its sounds like Nico is just going through some growing pains. I am sure he will figure it out pretty soon. I do use side reins, but not achieve frame. Rather to make sure we have on our listening and learning ears. I also do lots of long and low. He is young and this is all very new to him so be patient at it will come.
Circles, circles, circles! Keep him bending through circles, serpentines and changes of direction and the excercise will encourage him to drop his head. He’s really just a baby - the fact that he is as quiet as he is should help to keep you positive.