FAB lesson this morning with BHSAI Fearless Abby again (who jumped Gracie at XC on Tuesday) - getting in quickly before Abs goes back to uni on Sunday. I actually feel greatly heartened because I might be a bit of a better rider than I thought I was! G is still very green, but in particular she is stiff on her left rein. I know all horses favour one side note than the other but this is a marked difference. Having said that, she IS learning and doesn't have tantrums when asked to do something that she doesn't understand. When she is in a contact, she flexes to the left beautifully and bends nicely, but 9 times out of 10, at the moment, she sets her neck, bends her head to the right and leads with her shoulder! (She has had physio for this so it's not new) Then she ties herself in knots and gets flustered because she doesn't know how rectify things, bless. I don't use any force but we repeat and try patiently. Abby gave me some great advice, but after struggling for 20 mins I asked her to hop on, to determine whether it was me or G. To my utter surprise, G was actually WORSE for Abs, who was shocked at just how much G can block! G is very responsive to the leg and soft in the mouth but let bend is her nemesis. Couple that with any leg pressure currently means to speed up, "inside leg to outside hand" is lost on her!! Having said that, G is still improving (moments of magic when I get "power-steering" for a second or two) it's just taking time and persistence. I was overjoyed when Abby told ME that I make it look a lot easier than it is!!! (Left bend)
I got some great advice and help, plus I now have some fab new exercises to work on now. So glad I booked her.
I got some great advice and help, plus I now have some fab new exercises to work on now. So glad I booked her.