Randi Thompson. Walk/trot. Connecting a training level horse (8th time)...

"Do you shake your head and maybe get a little dizzy just trying to understand how you can connect your horse?  What does it really mean? How can you tell if your horse is connecting?"



In this blast from the past, Trudy brought Ani to another barn and had to focus on keeping Ani's attention.   Ani was moving up the training scale is and is going from a "green horse" balance and connection to "training level" where she is being asked to stay more connected. We started with the Steps to Connection where Trudy checked to make sure that Ani is soft in her jaw, in her poll and loose in her neck. at the same time as Trudy is using her leg aid, (when the hind foot is leaving the  ground on that side)  During that process Trudy focused on feeling when Ani was pulling on the rein contact (which is still new to Ani)  This is a sign that Trudy was really holding the rein to long and is something that happens to all riders.  Once we knew what was happening I started to ask Trudy to connect Ani on one side of her body, than the other.  It was a great way to break up Trudy's old habits and to build a foundation for her to feel that she can connect Ani for a few steps.  I started calling this the "2 Steps"  It is a form of a half halt on one side of the horse and teaches the rider how to feel when the horse is "against the outside rein and leg"



Are you ready to take your horse to the next level of connection?  Try the Two Step Connection process and see how it works for you.