Warm up Canter. Back to the basics. Week 6 Susan and Darrien. Dressage...

"The warm up canter.  Are you really warming your horse up? Or just going in circles?"

Those who have been following Susan and Darrien's progress have seen a lot of positive changes in the past weeks. In this session, Week 6, we are focused on the warm up canter and keeping Darrien relaxed in it.  Last week Darrien started keeping his back up for the first time in his movements.  This week he continues to improve. 

 What do you do when you warm up your horse at the canter? Did this video give you more ideas on how you can warm your horse up in the canter?

Who says you can't teach an old horse new tricks? Going back to the basi...

"Who says you can't teach an old horse new tricks? The warm up trot. This is from week 6 of taking Darrien back to the basics. 

This is Susan on Darrien. In this session we are warming up at the trot. Our goal is simple. All we want to do is keep Darrien relaxed and moving forward freely. His normal reaction has been to get a little frantic at times. Susan is still riding Darrien in a snaffle instead of his usual double bridle. Those of you who have been following their journey might recall that 2 months before this video Darrien, even in a double bridle, would "root" (pull Susan out of the saddle with the reins) rear and run. He still pulls at times, but is much better now. The entire process has been filmed so you can see exactly what we have been doing, and the results.

Is it time for you to take your horse back to the basics? What are you waiting for? 

Backing. Going back to the basics. Working through the issues. Dressag...

"What if your horse has issues backing. What can you do to help them understand what you want them to do? Watch as we take this older horse back to the basics"

This is Susan and Darrien, her new horse. In this session we focus on improving how he is backing. At the level he is competing, he trots into a halt, backs up, and trots out again. Darrien is not sure about backing and you will see some of his issues come up as we practice a new way to back him. His tendency is to drop his nose to his chest, hollow his back and almost defensibly, move quickly backwards and sideways while dragging his front feet. Our goal is to have him relax first, than to step back in balance. As you can see, we are still schooling Darrien in the snaffle bit instead of his usual double bridle. We choose to do this so we could take him back to the basics.

How is your horse backing? Did you learn anything new that you can do with your horse after watching what we are doing with Darrien?

Back up. Adding poles for straightness. Dressage Basics

"Are you happy with the way your horse is backing?  What can you do to make the back up and walk forward exercise easier for your horse to understand?  Add ground poles!"

This is Susan and Beau.  In this session we are focused on improving the way Beau backs up and steps forward again.  To do this I have added two poles for him to back through.  This was exactly what he needed as he had started to back crooked.  Can you see how the poles have helped Beau to get a different understanding of how to back straight?  

How about your horse?  Is it backing straight?  Are you ready to try this exercise?

Canter. The beginnings of balance. How to connect a horse from the back ...

"Going to a new level with the balance of the canter. How hard can it be?"

This is Trudy on Melody. In this session we continue at the canter and are asking Melody to stay more balanced. To do this, Trudy has taken up more of a feel from the reins and is asking Melody to step up into that contact. This level of balance is new to both Melody and Trudy. Like many riders, Trudy feels that this is almost impossible and finds that she will also have to work through some of her own issues. This is typical for many riders who are ready to balance their horses canter. It looks so easy when someone else does it, but in fact, it is not.

What did you learn from watching Trudy work her way through the process of showing Melody a new way to balance at the canter?

Trot. How to connect a horse from the back to the front. The beginnings...

"Connecting a horse from the back to the front.  The beginnings. Are you ready to ride your horse in a new level of balance and connection at the trot?  Would you like to see this loos with a horse that is new to it?"

In this session Trudy is riding Melody at the trot.  Her goal is the same goal that many who ride horses are trying to achieve. She wants Ani to balance differently so that she is more uphill.  This is not so easy for Melody as she is built downhill.  To do this Trudy will need to activate Melody's back feet so that she lifts her back. When this happens, a little rainbow will show in Melody's neck. A sign that she really is connecting her back end to the front. This level of connection is new for Melody and is a great way for you to see how you can achieve the same connection with your horse.

Is your horse connected at the trot? How do you know? Are you ready to try this on your horse?

Walk. How to connect a horse from the back to the front. dressage basics.

"You have heard other riders talk about it. They say they are asking their horse to connect from it's back to the front. What does that really mean? Watch what this rider does to get to that special place at the walk.

In this session Trudy is riding Melody at the walk. Her goal is the same goal that many who ride dressage, or any form of riding a hrose in balance are trying to achieve. She wants Ani to step up from her back feet into the following rein. To do this Trudy will need to activate Melody's back feet so that she lifts her back. When this happens, a little rainbow will show in Meldoy's neck. A sign that she really is connecting her back end to the front. This level of connection is new for Melody and is a great way for you to see how you can achieve the same connection with your horse.

Did you see the changes in Melody? Are you ready to try this on your horse?

http://youtu.be/Zo7gC5duQYg