Today was lesson with Liz day. And Funny is definitely in heat. I rode her first. We got tacked up and rode up to the arena. Liz had her dogs running loose and they came flying by. Funny didn't mind. Good pony. She got a little amped up but was fine. Except then she was fussy and wouldn't stand still at the gate.
Anyways.. we talked a bit and then I walked around and did a loose stretchy trot to warm up. She was so good!! We walked with Liz and worked on me. I collapse in my right core and tip forward to the right, stemming from my pelvis. So... if I think left shoulder back and up and turn my core left, I get straight. She told me to bring my left leg back and down, which did fix my pelvis but it's hard on me. I'm tight! It also made Funny straighter! And tracking left, Funny wants to fall right and overbend left (because I'm turned right) so if I think shoulder fore and haunches out, it helps straighten her. Especially when I also think shoulder fore for ME!
As usual, once we picked up the trot, it got a bit dramatic. And every time we picked up after a break, more dramatics. But it did get nicer too. We worked on my position and when I was straight, Funny was straight and even got lofty and bouncy! Yay! We still had some naughty moments, so we stayed on a smallish circle. Like a 15-18 meter circle. She kept drifting onto the right shoulder in the one corner when we were tracking left. And I want to cross my left hand, but.. if I think of opening it from my elbow, that helps. I also need to ride with wider hands. It gives her a place to go and doesn't make her feel so claustrophobic. It lets her find her balance. She also pulls me forward, so if I sit back on my left seatbone and lift and bring my shoulders back, my core is stronger. Especially if I open my core and my "pooch". And then my crotch to my belly button collapses, so if I lift that and keep my chin tipped up, and lift my sternum... we're so much better! Tracking right isn't as complicated but I still have to think of staying almost behind her motion. I tend to try to keep up with her and then she tries to keep up with me and we both end up 'running". But if I stay "behind the motion" almost... she slows down to stay with me. It also helps when I roll back on my seat vs perching on my crotch. And it's a subtle difference but it makes a huge change in her stride and balance.
We got some nice work and then we moved onto the canter. It is better when we do it from the walk. I have to follow her head and not lock my upper body and brace. We got an amazing right lead canter after multiple attempts. I thought about lifting her back with my seat and sitting upright. Liz told me to step into my left stirrup at first but then I just tip. So if I sit into my left buttcheek and lift my right shoulder and right hip bone, it keeps me upright and symmetrical vs tipping. Tracking left is harder but easier in ways. We got a nice left lead canter but it got a bit wild and wolly. And then she spooked at a deer and then had a temper tantrum because her foot hit a standard. Okay.. breathe baby girl! Breathe! We have her a moment and she sat and processed and settled and then took a breath.
We finished up after that. It was a good lesson. Build ME and she will come. Just ask and give her the time to get where I'm asking her to be. Don't demand.. don't nag. Just ask and wait. And she'll come. And don't pick a fight. Don't get sucked into the fight. Just wait and allow her to come to where I'm asking. If she falls in our out of a gait, allow it. This is hard work. She's allowed to make mistakes. I also need to stop and start more often to give her time to process and think. Especially she she starts getting rowdy. I think it's a little bit of her being overwhelmed. Or overstimulated. Liz mentioned that she really does think she loves me and is trying and when we can figure each other, she's gonna be phenomenal. And Liz also said that she's making progress and coming along and her balance is already much better in the trot! And today, the right lead canter felt AMAZING! And we even had a step or two of lovely left lead canter.
Good pony!
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