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Jun. 21st, 2008 08:56 pmGood lesson today- really good. Had some fab trot work where I really got Trudi's hind legs under her and had her really up in front, and even managed to keep her from getting too high in the neck once in a while. Trainer managed to get it through my thick skull that I can put my hands forward without leaning forward (hey look at that, I can straighten my arms) and give pony a chance to stretch her neck a bit even when she's bringing the hind under more. Mantra goes something like this- sit up, half halt, ankles to activate the hind, drive to the bit, lower the neck, don't bring your hands back in your lap, sit up...
I tried out a different saddle- a Passier Relevant. I like where it put my leg (under me) although I about came off a couple of times when we started trotting- the seat is not nearly as deep as my Prestige and my too-high posting got me pretty much completely out of the saddle. I think the flaps may have been too short as I got a nasty raw spot on the inside of my left knee right where it bends- the top of my boot was above the edge of the flap but the flap itself was shorter than on my saddle- I think it was only about a 16.5" seat too. Still, I really liked not having to fight to put my leg under me, and I felt like it was easier to sit up as a result. I only rode in it for about 20 minutes because at that point my leg was really stinging so I switched back to my saddle.
The lesson was action packed- Trudi was kind of looky/spooky, so we went right to work- trot- shoulder in, circle in the middle, shoulder in, circle in the corner, centerline, leg yield, shoulder in, circle in the corner... Trudi got pretty focused pretty quickly. Canter was better- we did less and broke it up with trotting and walking in between. And lots of work on controlling the speed at the trot and really getting her hind active and front uphill. Trudi even saved me with some nice canter transitions when I wasn't asking well- I was really proud of the way she stepped up.
I tried out a different saddle- a Passier Relevant. I like where it put my leg (under me) although I about came off a couple of times when we started trotting- the seat is not nearly as deep as my Prestige and my too-high posting got me pretty much completely out of the saddle. I think the flaps may have been too short as I got a nasty raw spot on the inside of my left knee right where it bends- the top of my boot was above the edge of the flap but the flap itself was shorter than on my saddle- I think it was only about a 16.5" seat too. Still, I really liked not having to fight to put my leg under me, and I felt like it was easier to sit up as a result. I only rode in it for about 20 minutes because at that point my leg was really stinging so I switched back to my saddle.
The lesson was action packed- Trudi was kind of looky/spooky, so we went right to work- trot- shoulder in, circle in the middle, shoulder in, circle in the corner, centerline, leg yield, shoulder in, circle in the corner... Trudi got pretty focused pretty quickly. Canter was better- we did less and broke it up with trotting and walking in between. And lots of work on controlling the speed at the trot and really getting her hind active and front uphill. Trudi even saved me with some nice canter transitions when I wasn't asking well- I was really proud of the way she stepped up.
