That shows willingness and it also shows “try.” He has a lot of try.
However, he can also get frustrated when I don’t get my part right. Today was almost all about ME. We were doing a continuation of the clinic, but breaking it down into much smaller parts—mostly, my body parts.
While I did set the rein again, just to the inside eyelash, I also twisted my hip (to move his hind end) and my upper torso (to ask for front end). However, and this is the big difference, my hips and torso do not open up to the same degree. My hip is wider than my torso, which is only signaling an eyelash of a turn from the front end. The hip is much more open to signal more power from the hind.
I had been twisting my whole body equally, and that was signaling Tweed to fall into a tight circle.
Another issue: when I twisted, I moved my outside leg up. Regina caught that and told me to keep it long and strong. Big difference. Tweed stopped tripping.
And last, when Tweed ambles, he moves my hips right and left. Regina wanted him to lengthen his stride and pay attention to my seat cues. She asked that when he pushed me left or right that I would then move my hips forward and back. Wow. It worked.
I will say, we were a hot mess out there today, both of us trying to figure it out, but we finally did and called it good. It was humbling to see how much I have to retrain my own body. I have some serious work to do this week.
Tweed, on the other hand, is practically becoming a reiner, if I can get my body to behave.
Those types of lessons are invaluable!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I love it when things are broken down into smaller parts. I’m a person who needs to understand the why of it all, then the steps to get there.
DeleteGetting control of our bodies is harder than it sounds! We have such ingrained habits.
ReplyDeleteTweed comes from two parents who were reiners, so he should be quite athletic!
Yes, he’s very athletic and he moves off my leg quickly. I’ve just got to be careful about that twist in my body that is signaling him to move too far. He’s super fun.
DeleteYour lessons are wonderful. Funny how a littlest adjustment can make such a big difference. If you are having fun, then you know Tumbleweed is also. You two are such a great match!
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me how sensitive horses are to the slightest adjustment. Some, maybe more than others. Tumbleweed has been a good fit for me. He was an investment in my future when I got him as a goal from Shirley, and I am thankful to past me for thinking ahead.
Delete*foal
DeleteBody control is so hard for me - especially since I never had formal riding lessons. I learned to ride by not falling off - eventually I developed a good seat and good communication with whichever horse I was assigned to ride at the livery. But to do anything "fancy"? It's almost impossible for me to figure out.
ReplyDelete