Re: Lesson In Walk

Suddenly, without warning, Alison Blake-Reed exclaimed (28-Sep-05 10:03 AM): 
I had a short lesson yesterday, all in walk. We had to circle in the end,
trying to do anything with my poor instructor running alongside wasn't
working! Still, we made the circles big and sweeping so hopefully that's
okay.
We concentrated on trying to get a beautiful halt and oh! I don't think I've
worked so hard in a lesson for years! Bizarre, but there it is. Amelia walks
along quite beautifully but as we halt she raises her head. We did get it
towards the end, helped rather by a sudden hard rain shower which made
Amelia try and fold herself in half.

Well, I certainly have plenty to practice before our next lesson next week!

Alison & AMelia


Ha! I should let *my* instructor at you! I can practically be dripping sweat after one of HER lessons at the walk! For quite a while, I was sore after every lesson, and they were all at the walk for weeks, while I got my body position more or less correct.

As for Amelia raising her head, Flees did that too, until I learned to give the smallest bit with my hands immediately upon feeling he was going to halt. Probably only about 1/4 to 1/2", but made all the difference in the world, at the point we're at.

I'm not sure this is the correct way to do things, but at the point Flees is at, that small give works. He has a problem with taking a contact (someone with really bad hands used him as a hunt horse). I have a problem with taking a contact too, coming from years of Western trail riding, so we're working this together :)

I think that small give helps him realize he won't be punished by the bit if he keeps his head where it should be.

jmc
.

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