2/28/10
Dressage Lesson

Miaren's back home and I've been working him
as weather allows. Our second dressage lesson
and we worked on me feeling what was correct for his neck.
The first few rides were just to prove I could ride him, now
I need to finesse.
I know I communicate differently than Laura, but I think we're
starting to understand each other and work together.
He's 16.2, but camera angles can make him look like a pony (he is 1/2 Cob).
We start out now confirming that I have a go button. He can be stubborn, and walk/trot transitions show me if we need to discuss a bit before getting down to work.
 

He didn't start out this relaxed, but with some coaching, Meg got us here pretty quickly.
He can get hollow, so me learning what feels right is a good start.
 
Yep, hollow. I was happy that we were getting trot when I asked, but now we have to start working on the quality.
That's our jumping bubble bit. I thought we'd be in the snaffle today, but I need a little more time to trust him. I feel in this bit I can get his head up if any silliness starts. So far, so good, though.
 
Back in the walk still relaxed.
My leg really went far back this ride. Something I always seem to need to work on.
 
He's not consistent, but I'm happy that during the ride, he was willing to figure out what I was asking for.
Starting to get there.
 
Getting it at the trot.
There's so much more swing and reach when his back isn't hollow.
 
Under neck starting to brace again, just a bit.
It's better when that under neck isn't bulging so much.
 
Working each stride with him, to teach him what I want.
And a break to stretch down at the walk. Not a perfect response, but good that there was some response.
 
Coming back on the bit.
And the canter.
 
There were right lead issues, but we still got it a number of times.
He balances well, but gets too fast and hollows. For my part, I pull too much without giving, and my inside leg doesn't do what it's told.
 
He's responsive picking up the canter, but sometimes we have trouble keeping it. We both get tired.
He doesn't feel little when I'm riding him, but he's the narrowest of my guys.
 
The day before this lesson, we played. We trotted and cantered all over the place, never entering the 'arena'. He was so much fun. He did some tail switching today when we walked into the arena, but after that, he really did try to understand what we wanted and gave it his best shot.
After each canter, we'd come back to a small trot circle (well, when I remembered we were supposed to). The circles would help balance him into and out of the canter a lot faster than would happen without them.
 
Mission accomplished for this lesson. I have a feel now, for asking him to round and not hollow, and I know that I can ask that of him and not have him throw a fit.