On The Bit, Off The Bit
Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog! I haven’t written in a while because I was trying to wait to get some photos or videos, or something a little more entertaining than the usual blog post. I haven’t saw myself ride since last November. Boy, my equitation sure has gotten weak. It’s also strange trying to go from a hunter position to a dressage one. The main things I’ve noticed from looking at the photos, that my friend took of us yesterday, that my hand position needs to be fixed stat, the ground isn’t interesting enough for me to stare so hard at, and my stirrups need to come down at least one hole.
Lately, in our lessons, we’ve been working really hard to teach Morgan to accept the bit. It’s so difficult. We have a process, I get him on the bit, then give with my hands and he stretches, then I have to get him back on the bit and the process starts all over again. We started learning it at the halt, and have been able to get it at all three gaits. Once it becomes more natural for him to accept the bit, we’ll start working on getting him to stay on the bit for more than a few strides.
Aside from dressage lessons, I’ve been working with PD almost everyday. She’s improved so much! For a while I had stopped riding her, because we had hit a brick wall. We would only fight when we rode, and accomplish nothing. I’m also not ashamed to admit that I was a little intimidated by her. However, now that we’ve made up, we’re getting along better than ever. I haven’t jumped her in months, but her flat work is improving at a rabid rate! The main thing we have a problem with right now is her canter transitions. With a lot of leg, she can get the transition well, but it’s much easier said than done.
I saved the most exciting news for last. This weekend my barn is going to a local, one day hunter show. Yesterday, I was asked if I’d be interested in showing PD! A brief history about PD; she was sent to my barn to be trained as a hunter pony, and is for sale. Her owner wants her shown as much as possible to advertise her, and get her plenty of experience. I really wish I could afford to buy her, she’s a phenomenal pony with so much potential!
HI there, neat blog.
I am also a former hunter, now beginning dressage!
And I definetly know how you feel about teaching your horse to stay on-the-bit!
feel free to check out my blog sometime too!
Thanks! It’s definitely a tough thing to teach, especially when you don’t understand yourself (like me). I’ll check out your blog! Thanks for reading!