Friday at 3 kicks off our final jump camp for the season: Groundwork and Flatwork for Relaxation, Confidence and Suppleness. If you have a horse that would like to work on trailering or ground work and see how the exercises relate to three staples of flatwork: turn on the fore, turn on the haunch and shoulder in, we have one more space available. Borrow a horse or bring yours! Message for details.
Today was incredible. Betty and I have put in the flatwork and it is really starting to show. This has been a whirlwind of a weekend but I’m blessed to have spent the weekend @lawrence.presmcb , the incredible @brickroadfarms , Jeff and all of the really kind and welcoming crew of @legacy_hj .
My god this mare. So many incredible moments but the obsessed with how smooth the direct three and the bending four.
New lease opportunities at HE. Receive all of the advantages of horse ownership like show opportunities, clinic opportunities and upper level jumping without any of the initial overhead or long term commitment. Lease a 1.10 jumper, .70 jumper, a 3’ hunter or a cross rail pony! Message for details!
Looking forward to Saturday’s clinic with @4teamlionheart. We set at 8 and our first group begins at 9 am. Come audit! As for our community giveback, we awarded three clinic spots to three deserving young riders! Congrats to the three winners of our drawing!
Enough break in the rain for ponies to do pony things.
You asked and I’m happy to keep them coming (theory throughly applies to the liberal art oh so many degrees side of my life). A lot of people asked me how much long and low work I do, and really that depends. There were days with Betty that it took all of my ride time to get her to accept my hand and not hide behind it. With some of the babies my entire ride for weeks /months are without contact. In this ride in particular Betty and I started with groundwork, walking yielding her hind quarter and then it only takes 10 minutes or so before she is trotting and cantering around somewhat loose. If she is really tense I might canter without contact BEFORE trotting as I did here so that when I come back to trotting she has some swing through her back. There is way too much emphasis on a round neck shape. Here I’m elated that we are out of shape, even hella elevated but I have been working on elevating her pole so I can be assured that her booty is down. All of this in a rubber, french link snaffle. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without putting so many stretchy rides in the good ride bank so that she wasn’t tight and running away from my aids. What I love about long and loose work is that the horse stretches and mimics the position of happily grazing, low pole position is strong dopamine hits that keep their brain relaxed and soft. A horse can go fast and be thoughtful and that is what I’m aiming for and with her pole elevated it is correctly balanced with on her hocks that upper level movements like shoulder in, counter canter is really easy. Almost too easy, she is balanced for it.
Friday at 9 am, we did what PNW does best: rain rides. @juliebartonsmith , @smask34 and @rascaltraining thought I was kidding but there is no better way for natural impulsion.
A few years ago, my entire business was starting colts. Times have changed and I have gotten soft. Cheers to Maggie for reminding me that three year olds are incredibly fulfilling. Little Callie enjoys her post ride round pen roll. No crow hopping, no problem! @craftbot6000
