Today we lessoned at home. We were supposed to have a lesson at Ashland but the arena's were closed. Because it won't quit raining!!! I reached out and Jacel mentioned that she was riding Jean's horses for her so she could teach me here. YAY!!! I asked if she would do all three and she agreed. Triple Yay!!
I started with Funny in case the weather went wonky and I really wanted to get her done. So, I tacked her up and I decided to do the dressage saddle, since we've had three rides now with no shenanigans. Plus, I had a good 30 minutes to spare so I figured worst case scenario, I could swap back out. Except... Jacel got there early so.... I didn't get to do a long warm up. Ha ha. Oh well. We hacked up to the arena in the pasture and then went to work. We did spend a long time walking around the arena warming up because Jacel and I were chatting. I told her where we were at and that I was still not sure what the cause of her behavior was.... ulcers, ovaries, stifles... or heck, even saddle!
So... we started off at the walk and Funny was already motoring. Jacel had me do some ten meter circles pushing her hindquarters out on the circle and riding her shoulders in. Then we picked up the trot and did the same thing. Basically... I could use the circles to help her balance herself. (Much like Aubreys' article). And I focused more on riding her body than her head. I did shorten my reins enough that there wasn't any loose flopping reins or inconsistent contact to annoy her, but... the reins were just there to stay steady. Not to direct. I rode the body by using my thigh to move her shoulder inside and my leg back to push her haunches out. And.... it was magic!!! Everytime she got quick and rushy, I did a ten meter circle. And it had to be a 10 meter circle because 15 - 20 meters were too easy for her. But every time I did a ten meter circle, she had to rock back and balance herself. She started to lift in her back and bend in her barrel! And she got soft and started reaching for the connection. Ooooh magic!! But, we did lots of 10 meter circles.... ha ha. Like almost all 10 meter circles. Ha ha! Well, we did manage some straight lines.
We went into the canter and did the same thing. Only our 10 meter circles were closer to 12-15 meters. Partly because the canter is harder and partly because I can't steer around the poles and such in my arena. Ha ha. But it was the same concept there. However, I felt like I was slipping off to the sides so badly. I stopped and tightened my girth twice even but it was just... I don't know if she's throwing me off... my balance sucks... the saddle doesn't really fit??? She did have one bucking episode with a little squeal. It was on the right lead when I sat back and put my leg on. But she didn't stop and prop and carry on. And then I was able to sit back more again later and she didn't do it. So... still not sure what it is... behavior?? Ulcers? Pain? sigh... but at least it was only once. Jacel said she thought ulcers still but also... she was a little bit weaker in her left hind and tended to be weaker in general in her hind end. She said that she has such an amazing shoulder, it's just easier for her to pull herself along. So we've got to encourage her to use her hind end. She gave me a good analogy... If she told me to write my name.. I'd do it with my right hand and it would be easy and pretty. But if she told me to do it with my left hand... I'd grumble and be annoyed and ask why I can't use my right hand. But I'd do it. I would struggle. It would be ugly... but if I kept at it... eventually I would get pretty good at it left handed. So... sorry Funs... it's gonna be leg day!
We finished on a good note and called it a day. That was a hard work out and she was trying. Jacel also pointed out that while she fussed a little, she never really said no. She never really got fussy. She said that she was so smart and talented that we had to challenge her or we bored her. So... we up the work in the sense that we challenge her mentally and physically but respectfully. And Funny was a happy camper for the most part. :) Good pony!
I will try the pole exercise next time with her. (The one we did with Lyric... side pass over the pole, serpentine over the pole, and then straddle it).
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