Metamorphosis

My morning began early with a farrier visit. Considering the amount of wear and tear we've put on the current shoes in the last week or so, it was time for a new pair.

Try walking in my shoes

I was feeling lucky that I have a pretty darn sensible mare. As what you can't see in this photo is a tractor trailer arriving on the other end of the barn behind her, attempting to set up an elevator to deliver shavings to the loft, said elevator stopping and starting unreliably and then said elevator breaking making horrible grinding noises and dropping bags until someone was able to unplug it. Then trying to unload the remaining amount of shavings into a stall behind her, involving numerous bumping/crashing wheelbarrows and leaping shavings bags. As I sat there watching her on the cross-ties I laughed as she did not even so much as flinch during this entire hub-bub. It must be that too much energy is needed to even flick an ear.

On to the riding! Today I rode and was assisted by the working student of Pam who is working with 'Dea. It was really great to get a ground perspective from someone knowledgeable that has also been in the saddle and ridden what you are working with.

Today's gems of wisdom:

• Connecting to the right rein: going on the left rein she needs to almost look right. Use the ice cream scoop motion with right rein and especially in the corners use that and the outside leg aid to mold her through the 'quarter circle' corner. By doing this you will think she's counter-bent but she is actually straight. Tricksy! This was verified by riding to the mirrors.
• Going to the right same sort of thing w/right rein. Hands must be even in all directions, side to side, up to down etc. Shoulders back, elbows absolutely to the sides and carry the tray. Give room for the trot to happen, forward always. Don't allow her to slow once connected, push her to it. 
• She must work for her walk breaks! Don't allow her to fall on her face in the transition to walk, ease into it with hind legs under.
• Canter work both ways was better. Thighs ON, calves off and carry the tray. Touch elbows to your side at all times. Kick and she must go and keep going don't let her suck you into carrying her with your lower leg. Canter right I really worked on moving my seat bone over and being as straight as the other direction. It really helped to think about using the outside rein/leg in the corners to set her up for success. We went inside to see this lead in the mirrors and I was/felt much straighter/even.
• Transition back to some trot and WOW. Beautiful steady forward thinking with I dare say it a powerful hind leg action. Keep the reins, elbows bent/touching sides and using the outside aids so as not to lose it, but oh man did it feel great. 

That end trot just felt so nice. I don't think I've been this excited about riding after my rides in a long time. Both my mare and I are putting some great effort in and having some fabulous results from it. Not to say it isn't difficult and we have our ugly moments. Ahem, me focusing on the outside aids through a corner and 'Dea almost leaving over the dressage fence as that's where I was pointing her. Oops! I promised to steer after that.


The changes we are making are small but to have a large impact. I am changing. She is changing. It's coming together, bumps in the road and all.

About where we are at, forming our cocoon of change. Isn't it cute?