Working Hard

Having a trainer to keep us focused and push us forward is a tremendous help to Cupid's and my progress.  In our lesson this weekend we started out reviewing what we worked on last time, and the trainer said we've made improvement.  He even said I was sitting up a lot straighter, yay.  We worked on doing a little leg yielding through the turns, first at a walk then trot.  Then we worked a trot poles, gradually increasing the distance between them a little to get Cupid to lengthen his stride.  He was good at this exercise, though I still need to work on planning ahead to get a straight line in to the poles because I usually turn a little late. 

Then the trainer asked me if we've cantered poles.  I told him no, because until recently Cupid was a little unbalanced and too hard to maneuver.  So he set up two poles a few strides apart.  Our first attempt Cupid broke to a trot at the first pole, maybe he just thought we always trot poles so that must be the right thing to do.  We tried again and I kept a little more leg on and he did it beautifully!  We did it on the right lead a few times, and Cupid was perfect and totally unfazed. 

We took a little break, then it was time for the left lead canter.  We tried from a trot in a 10 meter circle, and got it wrong.  Then Cupid was getting a little fussy - keeping him trotting on the circle until he relaxes a little.  The trainer said I need to ask in the corner right before we hit the wall instead of coming out of it.  This is a bit of a mental block for me, I'm just more comfortable asking after the corner but he assured me Cupid will not run into the wall or attempt to jump it.  It took a few tries but we got it.  We couldn't get as nice neat a circle to the left but it's getting better.  Then my attention wavered for a moment and Cupid broke into a trot - my fault.  And I just let him because I didn't want to ask again and get it wrong.  The trainer told me I need to stop thinking like that - and later in the lesson when Cupid broke I asked right away and he picked up the left lead beautifully!  We did one pole on a circle to the left a few times, then trotted over the pole and did a figure-8 to canter a right circle in a figure 8 over the single pole.  I know I've said it before but Cupid has a great canter, and now it's a bit more controlled but feels powerful. 

Cupid was a great boy for our lesson, and he was understandably quite exhausted after!

On Sunday we just did a nice relaxing walk around the property.  Next week we have 2 lessons planned.  Poor Cupid, but he will be in great shape before long.

Happy birthday!

Cupid turned 4 on February 14th.  We went on a little trail ride on one of the trails we often ride plus around the property.  He was a very good boy and we didn't encounter anything that scared him.  Then I gave him extra treats in his grain.

The next day on Sunday we rode in the uncovered arena which was finally back open after the recent rains.  It is much smaller than the covered arena, but we had it to ourselves which was nice.  I set up a cavaletti on the medium height because it's good for Cupid's strength to step over them.  However we ended up inadvertently having our first jump!  Cupid trotted calmly towards the cavaletti and unexpectedly I felt both front legs coming up before Cupid calmly trotted off.  I didn't make a big deal out of it, as long as he isn't rushing it's okay.  We got the right lead canter correct on the first try but took a few attempts to get the left - a little disappointing since we got it right the first try on Friday.  I think we will both benefit from a day off on Monday!

Back to training

Last weekend two things happened for the first time since December.  First, the rain was back with a vengeance.  Good thing Cupid's new pasture has a covered area!  Second, Cupid and I had a lesson.  We are starting with a new trainer who focuses primarily on jumpers and eventers.  I told him about Cupid's background and the lessons started out with him observing us for a few minutes.  Then he started calling out instructions and pointers.  Just a few little tweaks helped tremendously!  Instead of thinking about "shoulders back" think "chest open."  Instead of "sit up straight" think "sit back on your butt."  He gave a tip on corners to point my inside hip towards Cupid's outside ear, and Cupid seemed to really understand this and was bending his body much better through the turns!  It is almost crazy to think how responsive this thousand pound animal is to a small shift in the riders weight.  We ended the lesson with a little right lead canter work, and for the first time instead of loping around the entire arena we stayed in a much more balanced canter on a circle.  Having a trainer really helps with my focus and discipline, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Cupid and I will progress.

For our second lesson, we continued to work on my position as well as bending/turns.  Our trainer set up some cone to mark a 20 meter circle, as well as two 10 meter circles for a figure eight.  We started out walking the figure eight, focusing on using my legs/seat instead of hands to make sure Cupid didn't stray too far off the track as well as bending his body properly.  As always, going to the left was more difficult.  Then once we got the hang of it we did it at a trot.  The circles were smaller then what I usually do and I wasn't sure we could make it at the trot, but we did.  Often times Cupid can do more then I expect of him, and having the trainer is very helpful to me to push us both a little more.  We cantered the 20 meter circle, focusing on getting a better departure without a quickening trot.  We tried the left lead, but couldn't pick it up in a few attempts and Cupid was getting a little flustered and high-headed.  The trainer said we should not force it today and went back to the trot circles until Cupid was settled and ended up with one more right lead canter.  Cupid cantered the circle beautifully, and it was the best and most balanced canter I've done on him yet!  Unfortunately the trainer recommended lunging on a loose side rein, a short session each time before I ride as often as I can.  It is not a favored activity for either Cupid or I but I'll give it a try.

Trail rides

The weather has been very nice lately, though generally after work it is still dark by the time I get out to Cupid.  So on the weekends I try to take advantage of the daylight, and the last two days Cupid and I were able to go on mini trail rides before short arena sessions.  Hopefully this keeps him more interested in his work! 
On Saturday it was a little windy, and he was a little nervous about something which I think was the wind in a tree.  He stopped and hesitated a few times but I was able to get him to walk past it.  We rode past where he once saw the person cleaning the gutter on the ladder and I think he was expecting it again because he was a little nervous but walked by it then was fine.  I just wanted to do a brief canter in the ring after our little trail ride, not realizing that there were a few jumping lessons going on.  They were jumping courses so the rest of the horses pretty much had to stay on the rail.  Luckily Cupid is not distracted or disturbed by other horses flying by.  We did a little walk-trot, then picked up the right lead canter for about a lap.  Then a little more walk-trot, while I tried to decide if it was worth trying to get the left lead with all the other horses around.  I decided to go for it and we got it on the second try!  I always try to give him a lot of praise when he gets it.  We went about once around on the left lead, then a big pat and told him he was done.
On Sunday we went on a slightly different path.  We went down the trail along the electric fence that Cupid has always been scared of.  He was hesitant again and I had to tap him every few steps when he would stop, but eventually we got down the scary trail.  Originally I thought it was the fence, but I think he just doesn't like that the trail is down hill with tall bushes on either side, somehow it's scary for him.  It is just a short keyhole shaped trail, on a clear day you can see all the way to the ocean.  At the end by the key hole there is a pile of old straw, but Cupid walked right by that without even a look.  We trotted a bit and then galloped up the little hill.  It felt awesome!  Though Cupid did get a little tired by the top.  We then walked around the property a bit more and finished up with walking and trotting some figures and circles in the sand ring outside.  I dismounted and Cupid decided that he should be the once to carry the crop.

Time Off

Cupid got a week off since I went on vacation.  This is the first time I've ever gone more than a day without seeing him, I missed him and wondered if he thought I abandoned him.  It didn't help that a day before I left he had a bunch of scratches or bite marks on him. :(  I'm not sure who is picking on him since they always behave when I'm there.

I came back Saturday night and went from the airport straight out to go see Cupid.  It was already dark out, I was just going to say a quick hi.  I walked out in the pasture not sure how I would find him, then realized he was right by my side!  I gave him several hugs and kisses.  He followed me to the gate so I brought him out and gave him a little grain and light brushing and put ointment on his wounds which looked good but he had a few new ones too.

On Sunday we went for a ride, I wanted to take it easy since he had a week off.  He did light walk/trot work in the outdoor arena for about half and hour then did a little ride around the property including a short canter stretch which was a lot of fun.  Luckily the week off did not turn Cupid into a wild stallion. 

Then since he was filthy I gave him a bath.  He was very unsettled during the bath, not standing still and whinnying a few times.  I not sure why he seemed so upset because he was okay while I was riding.  Even after when I let him graze in the sun while he dried he was still unsettled.  I hope there isn't anything going on.

Even scarier junk pile!

Last night Cupid and I had a good ride in the covered arena.  There were 3 lessons going on (4 riders total) plus another person just riding, so it was hectic but Cupid doesn't seem to mind the activity.  After doing half an hour of walk-trot I asked for the right lead canter (his good side), and he picked up the left.  Doh!  Got it on the second try and went twice around the big arena.  Cupid has a smooth canter with long strides, but he is lazy and will drop to a trot if I'm not paying attention.  But his balance is getting better.  After a little more walk-trot we tried the left lead... nope.  Back on a circle to try again, another fail.  Cupid was getting a little upset, tossing his head, so we took a little break from trying to canter and just worked on bending and other things until he relaxed.  Then we finally got the left lead and went about one and a half times around.  I gave him several pats and "good boys", and told him we can cool down and be done for the day.

Today I woke up early and decided to go ride in the morning, since when I go after work it is already dark.  We warmed up with a nice relaxing walk around the property... at least until we got to the world's scariest junk pile. 

I didn't think this would be a big deal since Cupid has never been bothered by tarp-covered piles but somehow Cupid thought it was terrifying.  His head came up and he started snorting and staring as we approached.  Then he stopped dead.  I let him look for a moment, then asked him to go forward and he didn't want to go.  Then he tried to spin around.  I could feel him trembling under me!  This is on the driveway to the barn, we were on the road and of course a car has to come by just then.  I had to turn around to get to a spot so the car could pass by.  Then I asked Cupid to go back towards the scary pile.  He was not very happy and we almost ended up in the bushes, but eventually got passed it.  We finished our ride with a little cavaletti work in the outdoor arena.

Scary Trail

Cupid and I have still been having trouble picking up our left lead canter.  In fact I felt like I was making progress but then it felt like we were regressing.  He's young, and I know this can be normal.  But since it has been 2 months since his last chiropractor adjustment, I was hoping another one might help a little.  The chiropractor found some sore spots on his neck, especially the right side, as well as his lower back and found his left pelvis was rotated up.  But overall she said he was doing much better and said he has put on a lot of muscle and looked good.  Though he is very lazy and I can't get him to trot in hand.  This is something I should work on, but I guess I can be a little lazy too!

He got the day after his treatment off.  I did a walk/trot ride with him the following day.  The weather was very nice so after half an hour in the arena I decided to get out a little.  We walked down a trail we've been down many times before, but all of a sudden Cupid froze.  There is a house along the trail, and someone was up on a ladder cleaning the gutter.  I urged Cupid to go forward and he took a few steps, then stopped again.  I asked him to go forward but he backed up.  I tapped him with my crop, but he just did not want to go forward.  Finally I got off and led him, and he hesitantly did end up walking past the person.  I don't know if I should have gotten off or tried harder?  I didn't feel unsafe, just that it I didn't think I would have any success.  But hopefully with more experience he won't be bothered by these things, and for a baby he actually does pretty darn good already!

The following day I rode him in the covered arena, and we were fortunate to have it all to ourselves.  We worked on bending for a bit, then on lots of transitions.  We had a nice right lead canter a few times around.  Then more transitions, before I asked him for a left lead canter from a trot circle.  He picked up the right lead.  I brought him back down to a trot and asked for a canter again on the long side, and he picked up the left lead without me even resorting to any gimmicks.  Yay!  We went about one and half times around before he broke into a trot, and I didn't want to push my luck trying to get it again so decided to end there after a little cool out.