Hmmmmm

 Argh... I cannot figure this mare out! I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong... and if what people are telling me is right or wrong... And the poor girl is probably confused because I keep changing the rules. I really want to get her soft and reaching for the contact with an even rein connection and a lifted back. I don't want to have to "set" her head and then drive her up into the contact. That just seems wrong. But, unfortunately, that seems to be what she's responding too. And maybe I'm just being impatient and not giving her the time the "correct" way?? Maybe I'm not good enough to get her there on my own. Maybe I'm just not trusting myself and my gut and giving it enough time?? I just don't know and I don't want to mess her up, so... I seem to just make it worse though. Ugh.

   

We had a decent ride tonight, but it's just... she still wants to brace and hollow a bit. Or she wants me to "put her on the contact and hold her there". I did get a few moments here and there of her actually seeking the contact and reaching and stretching for it. And maybe that's all she can offer now. Maybe that's all I've prepared her for so far. I just don't know *HOW* to ride the rest of the ride? Throw the reins away? Hold her up? Half-halt until she softens and lets go? So... today, we worked very hard on even connection on both reins. I tried my best to ride to the light and give to the heavy. And I tried to straighten her body so that she could go straight and even into the contact. But, it's hard. It's hard to not want to manipulate her head with the reins when she braces. So, I do... I half-halt (hard if needed) until she softens and unlocks and then I try to give the reins softly/gently/not too much. And, maybe, maybe we're getting it. But... I don't know if I'm doing it right. I did also pay more attention to my body and her body. She wants to throw her whole body to the left and then turn her head right. Which makes her very crooked in the contact. So I've been riding asking for her barrel to bend around my left leg, even while tracking right a little as it seems to straighten her. But argh... again, not sure if that's right or not. 

 

She was a good girl though and we had a few good moments. Our canters were better and much less chaotic and we did a bit more transitions than we normally do. She was trying! I'm just so confused and feel like I'm confusing her. 

 


 
She was very flirty today :) 

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