tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post5061041105035025288..comments2018-06-19T00:50:27.377-07:00Comments on El Rancho Garza: Tuning up WoodyTrailriderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16097842353439742750noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post-35472528737052823572010-08-16T18:01:51.577-07:002010-08-16T18:01:51.577-07:00TR, thank you so much for such great and thoughtfu...TR, thank you so much for such great and thoughtful information! I really appreciate your thorough descriptions. I will write it out and work on the instructions. Your focus on your thoughts, as well as your subtle but controlled use of energy is quite interesting. Also, it sounds like you are using the round pen as much for your own energy development as the horse. Fascinating! Thank you again for the time you put into this reply!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00141033474195269489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post-47142892404594536602010-08-15T07:30:00.158-07:002010-08-15T07:30:00.158-07:00Jan: I've had a few horses that would not cant...Jan: I've had a few horses that would not canter easily with an unbalanced rider, but who rode fine with me. I try to be very balanced in the saddle, not too far forward or back and with the feeling that I'm not putting a lot of weight on my stirrups. I picture that I'm bareback - can't be unbalanced bareback!<br /><br />And a lot of beginners cue tentatively for the canter, because they really don't have the "seat" to cue properly. When I cue for canter, I put my heel in the side of the horse, slightly towards the back, on the side opposite for the lead I want, and I slightly shift my other foot forward, so that I'm positioned to ride for the lead I'm asking the horse to take. That way, the horse is set-up to canter in the correct lead. And I "think" more energy and canter. And my heel isn't "released" until I get the canter - no banging on the sides of the horse.<br /><br />Awfully hard to do those subtle shifts if a rider doesn't have the seat and can just bang both heels on the horse while bouncing off balance in the saddle. Doesn't help the horse to feel secure that its rider is really ready for what they're asking, and it's usually apparent to an observer AND the horse.<br /><br />As for slowing the canter, again, I've had to work on that with a few horses. Usually, it's about really being in touch with my energy. I work on trotting and SLOWLY, almost IMPERCEPTIBLY, increasing my energy until we are at a canter. That SLOW increase in energy usually lets the horse ease into the canter, rather than rush into it. That, and I circle at the canter - no straightaways where they can build up speed. When they figure out that they're going to circle at the canter every time, that cools their jets and they settle into a nicer canter. A lot of this can be worked out in the round pen, so you can just focus on energy, since the circle is already built in. And it goes without saying, this can be worked on from the ground in the round pen BEFORE ever mounting. That's where I start - controlling my energy from the ground while in the round pen, to get the slowest canter possible from my horse. In fact, I like to be able to do everything in the round pen for a time until I try from the saddle. I want a walk, slow trot, fast trot, fast canter, slow canter, good stop, good turns, and no hesitation to go in the canter, and ability to sustain all speeds at MY request IN THE ROUND PEN. It's much easier to teach the horse and ME in there, than in the field.Trailriderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16097842353439742750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post-72393302545899138802010-08-13T18:02:11.484-07:002010-08-13T18:02:11.484-07:00TR, thanks for sharing the exercises you do for a ...TR, thanks for sharing the exercises you do for a horse tune up. Impressive about Woody's canter! Your comment about him not going into a canter unless he can tell that the rider is balanced, is very interesting. What a smart horse he is. What is the secret to how you attain a slow, controlled canter on a horse? Is the rider's balance the most important thing or are there other aids/skills needed also? I am working on the canter with my horse.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00141033474195269489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post-36936354741432617062010-08-13T12:16:13.080-07:002010-08-13T12:16:13.080-07:00I love that horse. But he does come unwound, as yo...I love that horse. But he does come unwound, as you said. Glad you're giving him the time to get back into shape. As you've noted, it's tough to keep them all ridden. Hopefully you'll get some more training in some of the guest riders and they can help.<br /><br />Had a terrific trail ride on Smokey today, and figured out what I was doing wrong on steering. Now we can work on refinement. Mine, that is!<br /><br />As for his stop, we are stopping on an exhale. Not every time, but boy, when it happens I just want to shout! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2390416239155466954.post-29896655332899211602010-08-13T11:22:09.247-07:002010-08-13T11:22:09.247-07:00Need to keep working them, my other mare, I dont r...Need to keep working them, my other mare, I dont ride her as often as the grey, she gets herself all swishy and "befuddled". She`s a real bugger when it comes to being ridden after a lay off!cheyenne joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16957462106844413179noreply@blogger.com