<----- A straight horse. Wednesday's lesson focused on developing the lateral movements with T-Bone, and primarily travers (haunches-in) in preparation for half-pass. Typically, horse's with short backs and similar confirmation to T-Bone's are not quite as flexible as the lanky-er warmbloods. But, T-Bone is a Morgan. And with that comes the ability to contort himself in any way possible. The instructor was very impressed with how fliexible he actually is, although travers was difficult for him and ended up being hard work for both of us.
Horse's prefer not to travel sideways. They are built for forward, straight impulsion and one would never find a horse free in his pasture performing a half pass. That, I am sure. :-) T-Bone's shoulder-in has improved immensely since beginning lessons and the travers is following close behind. I did have trouble getting him off my leg tho, and next time I'll have to use spurs. I know he knows what I want, he just chooses to ignore it. When I ask again (this time with a THUMP with my leg), he comes above the bit in protest. Finally, after a few wallops and a discussion with the whip - he moves his haunches over. It is imperative that he be light off the leg in order to move on any further with the exercise. You cannot beat the daylights out of your horse in the middle of a dressage test.
"Move your ass over you son of a bitch!" ... -2 points for speaking during the test.
So that's one homework exercise for the week. So, why do we want our horses to move sideways? Well, it's fun for one. Half-passing feels like you are gliding. And I like the feeling of being able to put my horse's shoulders, ass and neck anywhere I want at anytime. Travers helps supple and collect the horse. This movement will be VERY helpful down the line when we want to collect the canter.
<----- Now compare the straight horse, to the one in travers. (haunches in) What really fascinates me is that the aids for right lead canter, travers to the right and right half pass are all the same. How does the horse know which one to do?
Your weight.
Gold star if you answered correctly.
These movements are all building blocks for the future, which looks fantastic.
My instructor said her goal was to have T-Bone and I soild Prix St. George in two years.
I almost cried.
And so to finish out the lesson we worked a bit on developing the trot and this will be T-Bone's major weakness: the mediums and extensions. He needs some major stength building in his stifles and this is why we are starting now to develop this so that we are not totally screwed up shit's creek when we want to show.
That is all for today!
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Today's quote: “There are easier things in life than trying to find a nice guy...like nailing jelly to a tree for example”
