Dressage Day by Day

After not having a lesson for several months, I finally made it to a clinic with Kristin at a lovely private farm of one of my friends. For my first ride, we warmed up in the double bridle by getting his neck a little lower and softer. We then did a couple shoulder-ins and I worked to keep Gadget from traveling with his hindquarters to the outside. We also really emphasized being able to get true bend through the body, not just the neck.  We moved into canter and got him a little softer through the bridle doing some big circles. We then moved into the canter halfpass. First, it's important to have an active but organized canter. Turning onto centerline, I should move his haunches to the inside a bit. Then step into left stirrup, keep the contact soft, and bring the outside shoulder forward. He moved readily over by just making sure I was not blocking him with my outside shoulder. I did the same thing to the right and it actually felt even better. Amazing!! In the changes, w...

Well, Gadget is back in the game. We have been back in full work for several weeks and he feels really good. I think the focus on my position during those first slow conditioning weeks has also paid off for me. I am really focusing on keeping my hand position - hands in front, following, thumbs up, half halt without pulling back. It feels like I basically tell Gadget with my hands to carry his own head and stay soft. As long as he does that, I have a very soft, light contact. When he tries to start poking his nose or lean on the bit, I give a little leg and a squeeze of the rein. I have also been riding exclusively in a simple KK ultra snaffle to make these adjustments. No double bridle right now, although I couldn't help but add an old but favorite picture of Gadget in his double bridle below. I plan to move him back into the double next week before my upcoming clinics. Gadget in 2013  The trot really is becoming nice if I remember to hug with my legs to get power from behi...