June 10, 2012 - Working "like a Sporthorse"

I rode Rory on Wednesday and with Per's admonishment in mind about "working like a sporthorse" I concentrated on really getting him to march in the walk and trot forward without nagging.  Looking at the video it seems like we're going a hundred miles an hour, but when I watch his legs the rhythm is nice and steady - he's just covering more ground.  He was very good apart from one bobble when I wanted a leg yield, and very quickly decided that the giant snake coming out of the ground beside the ring (coil of tile drain) was nothing to be concerned about.

So the major themes taken from the clinic:

Finish the transitions, get the rhythm in the new gait (whether between or within gaits) and make sure the horse is light on both reins before going to the next transition.  Be patient, and wait for the horse to relax.

Priority is a nice rhythm in the chosen gait, make sure it's going forward even in the collecting steps.  Especially with Rory I need to get him going forward in a nice rhythm, then bend, then the shape of the circle or chosen track.

Get a response.  Whatever you ask for make sure you get a response from the horse, then see if you can be light on the rein and quiet with leg and seat, correcting and allowing as needed.  You want the response so you don't have to nag every step.  It's okay to ask often, but try to let the horse carry on without the constant direction once you have him going.

Know what you want.  For example how much bend you are asking for on a circle so you don't get distracted just looking for more bend.  Work towards the best the horse can give, but accept less in the beginning of the ride - a little less bend or impulsion.

Get the horse light and responsive and set up so that you can push a little harder without losing the connection you have - more impulsion on a circle or shoulder in for example.