4/2/14

Video from yesterday!

Well, I promised I'd post the video so here it is. Not the best because Spirit was wanting to trot around too, but it works. As you can see, my heels manage to stay down at a walk but as soon as he starts speeding up, they flail everywhere. :/ I'd love opinions on how Red's trot is coming along as well. :) I think it's looking pretty good!


Sorry if you don't like Josh Turner, but ya know....the wind was horrible and it made me go deaf, so I figured it would be better than a high pitched wailing, haha!

6 comments:

  1. I honestly think you should start posting the trot. This isn't just an english thing, western riders do it too. It's not that his gait is jarring but it's more forward than you typically see in a western pleasure show horse. Which is fine, but you should post it for now. Also lower your hands, don't pull on his mouth when you want to go forward. You need to go forward and STRAIGHT. Pick a spot in the horizon and trot to it without touching his face at all. He may get quick, but that's okay because what you want to encourage right now is FORWARD. He's not going to run away with you he's a good boy :)

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    1. I've been trying to start posting, just getting the hang of it. :) I need to go in the round pen and work on it more. :) His gait is definitely really rough, but it's not completely impossible to post on so hopefully the posting will help some! :) Thanks for the tips!! :)

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  2. I so agree with Jodi, absolutely love your enthusiasm. I wish you were closer to be in my 4-H club. A couple of equitation points since you asked. If you want to practice for western pleasure you need to hold your reins differently. Technically, with western pleasure you would use split reins but you can practice with your connected reins as well. Holding your hand in front of you the reins should run from the horse's mouth through your hand (between thumb and forefinger) then exit your hand past your pinkie. You are allowed to have one finger between the reins. That is pretty much for showing. At home I always train by riding with 2 hands like a hunter. With your seat you need to rock your pelvis forward slightly, this will help straighten your back and get you off of the cantle some. Reiners and cutters ride deeper back on their pockets but pleasure and equitation are a little more up right and straight. Shemovedtotexas has a good point about posting too. Glad you are trying that. It also may help to bring your entire leg back and more under you. Good luck and keep up the good work. So happy for you getting the property.

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    1. Thank you so much!! :) I used to have a pair of splint reins but they broke. :/ I probably need to order another pair so I can practice more with them, I do think I did slightly better with them for some reason.

      I can't wait to have them home. :) It'll be a lot easier to go out and work on stuff like this when I'm not in a hurry to get back home and I have a nice arena to ride in!

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  3. He actually doesn't look that choppy. Also if you had an enclosed area to ride in like a roundpen you could concentrate on his gaits a little better. When riding out in the open you have to keep your horse's attention a bit more. (About all these comments, I just started looking at this blog. Hope ya don't mind all my opinions!)

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    1. No problem on the comments, I love them!

      We do have a round pen that I work him in, he's been to several trainers for it that have worked worked worked, but none of it has helped. He gives you his full attention anywhere you are, I think it's just his straighter shoulders, lack of work and overall heavy body. All of the trainers that my aunt used said that he actually uses his hindquarters very well, which gives him a very good looking trot/canter/gallop, but it's not easy to ride.

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