I developed a plan for downhill work last week that included stopping Tweed and backing him up the hill, but I hadn’t put it to the test yet.
So, today was all about hill work: little hills, big hills, medium hills that descend to the equestrian camp area where they’re setting up for this weekend’s regional ETS competition.
Before we started hills, I did some collection work in the arena to see if he still had that floaty trot going on. He did. I attribute his improved collection to improved body strength and body confidence.
In fact, he even lost a little weight. Yay, Tweed!
I can fasten his back cinch one full notch up.
We didn’t ride with anyone else today, and quite honestly, that makes trail work easier. There’s so much more you have to deal with when you ride with others, and that will be my next post.
But today was just awesome. I could not have asked for a more thoughtful horse on hills. When I asked him to stop, he stopped, even when he slid for a few inches. When I asked him to backup the hill, he did that, too. Every hill I rode him to was the same.
I spoke to my trainer afterwards (ran into her as I was pulling out), and she agreed with me that he has built up strength and body confidence from riding out and doing hills. The answer to hills is more hills. Lots and lots of hills. (We’re going to have a lesson next week on the most challenging hills at RSP. One of them is the ROCKY horror picture show of hills!)
Exposure, fitness/ diet, and respect/trust for the win. 🏆
That didn't take long. Kudos to you! I admire those who can ride/hike/etc solo. I have never had the courage to wander far alone. Bring on the challenging hill!
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes a breakthrough is right there at your fingertips. You just have to keep pushing forward. I read a few articles on horses that rush down hills and why, and after I eliminated the fitness portion, I narrowed it down to the schooling portion, which was really quite easy. Adding another horse who gets way ahead will be a little more difficult, because then I’m dealing with something else, but that is why I have to choose my riding partners carefully or ride alone.
DeleteThe rocky hill we will be doing this week is one that even Cowboy preferred not to do. He’d always look the other way, like “let’s skip this one, mom,” but then, of course, he’d do it. Once we get that one, there is no descent that will be off limits.
There is nothing as satisfying as a solid horse on the trails and knowing that the program you worked on is what made it happen. Good job!
ReplyDeleteSorry this comment went to spam for some reason. That was a successful wonderful day.
DeleteBravo! It's so exciting for you two to find success together!
ReplyDeleteThanks! That was a great day. We didn’t do so well five days later, but it’s a process.
Delete