Since I've started taking bi-weekly riding lessons with Jamie, Ben has really shown a lot of improvement. I've been busy with work and the kids to post a review after each ride, but I thought I'd better write down a list of what we've been working on so I don't forget. We really seem to be making progress with him and I'm really excited and happy about the direction we are headed in. He's finally gaining trust and relaxing under saddle. Like Jamie has said in some of our lessons lately, "Now you've got a dressage horse underneath you!" We've had some amazing moments and here are some of the exercises and training methods we've used to help him along his way.
-3 loop serpentines and keeping a slight shoulder out on the right rein (counter-bend).
-Imaging a bees nest on the left side of the arena when on the right rein to keep his left shoulder from wanting to be sucked into the wall.
-Once I can feel that his left shoulder underneath him and he's not leaning on it or pressing against it, then I can slowly ask him to go straight and maybe very slightly bent to the inside but only if he doesn't start to fall out again. Constantly check for this and if he can't travel straight on a circle then counter bend him again until he relaxes and gives. When asking for the counter bend, post on the opposite diagonal so he will be more balanced and less interference by my weight throwing him off. Keep my body in line with his, traveling in the direction I want him to go around the circle so he can follow my lead and my weight.
-Changing to a circle on the left rein asking for a little extra flexion.
-Cantering and letting him have room to move in front of me.
-Allowing him to stretch forward and down.
-After establishing a steady tempo without tension ask him to slowly come up in front of me, engage his hind end, sit tall and raise the center of gravity, feel the push and power coming forward and out in front of me.
-After a good stretch slowly gather him on the right rein and apply the right leg to collect him little by little so as not to upset what I have gained through the relaxation during the stretch.
-During warm-up ask for the trot. If there is any signs of tension or unwillingness to go forward then immediately ask for the canter. Sit a little more forward in the saddle than usual, relax with the reins and give him a place to go towards. Do not restrict his forward momentum. After he's going forward nicely make a downward transition to the trot and try to maintain that same energy.
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