NH lesson 3 & 4

[High_Stepper]

A few people were interested in what i'm doing in these lessons so thought I'd post :)

Quick recap - first lesson was ground, the rest are in the saddle.

Lesson 3 we popped the saddle on my horse and put his halter on, (zero issues now getting halter on) and again I just sat there for a bit, he's very compliant with the 'standing around' now.

Then we did some back-ups with me using my bum and legs, and neck bends by using the halter rope. He's so sensitive now, that when I drop the rope on one side he knows i'm goign to ask for a bend on the opposite, and he just bends automatically! He seems to love this exercise and nibbling my toes on each side like it's a game :) What's great is, he does it without spinning around (this hoss would never do this before, he'd spin for at least 3 full circles first).

Then we did some leg yielding of the fore and hinds. Again he's only learning this and improving so much, much less skitty danc-y stuff going on. After each piece is done I drop the rope on his neck and give him a rub, then leave him alone. He just hangs his neck licking his lips :)

I rode around the field then in a walk, i'd pick a spot and steer with my leg. If he drifted i'd counter-change my selected spot - for example if he wandered 10 degree to the right, my new spot was 10 degrees to the left of the original. I'm also learning how sensitive he is to my leg.

then a little canter to wrap up with as a treat for him, and then just stop, stand, nothing. Again, he remained totally relaxed.

MIRACLE.

[High_Stepper]

Arrived next day late to find they'd popped a halter on him and were riding him bareback ahead of me. But the big surprise was.. my horse was perfectly collected, on the vertical, with no bridle! He was swooshing across the field like a dressage horse :D

It begins by bending him to say the right, then working his head all the way around to the left, as they go on the vertical when their bent, I'd try to get him to hold it while he was making the move across (it's odd to explain). Then I'd ask him to keep his head straight and stay exactly as he was. Then, I gave him a signal to walk on, and he did, and stayed on the vertical! He was very calm throughout and we did some more exercises, which he is getting so much better at and seems to enjoy them too. Then i'd a wee gallop and I think he's got the idea now that activity doesn't mean mad fizziness.

She said he'd worked hard and his neck wouldn't have been used to doing so much exercise. Which I can appreciate, as my thighs are only getting back used to riding!

What I really love is taking his saddle off, giving him a rub, taking the halter off and walking back up to the gate because he stays by my side now. When we stop and talk, he's like the fourth person in the conversation, he stands with his head in amongst us all ears :D

Even though we don't exercise for an hour doing big circles or anything, and it's making him so willing to work with me. I'm so happy and he seems just so content.

[CasSun]

wow thats brilliant! sounds like you are both having a great time and learning loads!
such an achievment :D

[intouch]

Thanks for posting this - very encouraging and helpful! Keep it coming.:thankyou:

[Niamhy]

Ahh thats great news HS!! Keep up the good work!

[termoncarragh]

Sounds great, and such progress in such a short time! Well done you :)

[bob1984]

Sounds Great HS, WELL DONE :clap:

[Bobbi C]

I've only just seen this now. great work HS, and a great rad too.
can't wait to hear all about the clinic after the weekend :)

[moongirl]

Hi,
Your lessons sound great. Where abouts and who with are your lessons ?

[High_Stepper]

HI moongirl - my lessons are with a girl from the Czech republic called Katia (can't spell her surname) and she trains under clinics from this guy Honza Blaha - http://www.honzablaha.cz/en

[Teegee]

Are they working extra sessions with him as well?

How long do you do at each session?

[High_Stepper]

Hi Teegee

No, he's like the top of the NH foodchain in the CZ :) I hadn't heard of him before I met the girls (but i don't follow nh stuff around the place, i have my head in the sand most times). Had you heard of him?

Our sessions were about 40 mins on the evenings. The 2-day clinic on the weekend was 3 hours first day, 4 the next. My horse was very tired by the end of the second day, I'd say his brains were of the verge of frying.

[Teegee]

No, I have never heard of him. Bet your horse was tired after the 2 day clinic - a lot of hours.

Have you more lessons coming up - or is it finished now?

[High_Stepper]

I've one more lesson on Thurs or Fri evening and then they go home :( They're coming back in October which gives me time to get these tasks done nicely, and then they'll do a few days more with me.

I'm also to email them vid snippets of something that is progressing very well and something I'm gettting stuck on.