[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

Getting sorta off the bit angle, has your trainer talked to you about what you are doing that is making it harder for her to bring herself under her? I watched the whole video (and what a NICE mare she is) and don't know if your trainer has spoken to you about it but you are pumping continuously at the canter and throwing her on her forehand. It's not exagerated, but it is there. I think she is a nicer loper than this video shows and bet she can maintain impulsion if you would sit up and ride quietly in the body and just use leg. Not only would she begin driving deeper, but she would not be using her head to bring her shoulders up. You are slightly changing your ballance point to over her shoulders instead of riding the middle.

Watching it again, you are also swiveling your hips forward as soon as you ask for a transition and then you keep that swivel and pump at the same time. Your back is nice and straight, but your hips and shoulders are "pushing" instead of your leg only.

Could you explain what you mean by 'pumping' a little better. I am taking a closer look at the video (why I love videos, so you can see all the funky things you do!), and would like to have a better idea what to look at so I can work on it.

I think the 'pumping'(if I am thinking of what you are saying correctly) may have been exaggerated in my attempt to really get her 'forward'(which I obviously need to pay attention to) My trainer was having me work on something I haven't done with her before, trying to 'flap my legs' in rhythm to get her to lengthen her hind stride, and come into the contact a bit better(and believe me, my trainer which you can't hear was yelling at me for over bending her in the beginning and telling me to 'straighten her'). So I was really trying to 'think' forward, and I was trying to use my seat to 'push' her forward().

I am always working on myself(I switch off trailering Taylor down to ride, and riding one of their horses), and I do agree...most things can be corrected by how we ride. Sorry if I am way off base, just trying to get a better idea so I can work on it!

On Taylor's behalf....she is an absolutely fantastic horse(I can say, even on an 'off' day, she is so much fun). She is coming back into work after being a broodmare the last 4 years. For how she has been...She is incredible, and I know half of the things I am dealing with his me(she is very sensitive to seat position, which I was teasing my trainer telling her that I am realizing even more the things I do as Taylor is the first to tell me by how she moves!). And I have to say, I think I painted a 'worst' picture then what it really is.

I do have one other video. Just to say, I was lifting the reins at times to check her(legs on, but not wanting her to speed up). It looks silly, but just wanted you to know I don't ride with my hands up like that. I was riding forward in my seat in this video...which I hate, hate hate! This is an old video before working with my trainer with her. I think I am pumping here too? That is something I need to work on then.

ETA: If it appears the arena slants...it does...not a mind trick!

YouTube - Tattle Taylor ApHC

[doublebarr]

First I have to say HUGE improvement from that last video to the first one you posted!

And your pumping has greatly lessened so kudos to you and your trainer

Here is where it's the most obvious:
in the video above at 37-39
and at 1:35-1:47
It is pretty much there all the time at the lope, but that is where it is most exagerated.

In the eariler (and most recent video) this is what is "obvious":

When riding single handed at the beginning you are moving your rein hand shoulder forward taking you out of "square" and tipping your mare on that side. Focus on keeping your shoulders square at all times.

Then right at .34 when you ask for the transition you lean forward putting her on her forehand before she even strikes off which causes you to begin pumping by .46
Again at 1:59 it is more obvious
2:14 again the lean forward at transition
2:24 - GOOD transition, you stayed ballanced and she struck off SO much better
BUT, then you began to pump again shortly after she strikes off
and 2:46 the pumping gets more exagerated.

Your right in trying to deepen your seat, but think about sinking into her rather than "pushing" her forward with your hips. Hips=still, butt=forward
Then, to use your legs to "flap" her in rhythm with the stride you want, think of your hip sockets as a hindge where all the movement comes from below the hip and the hip stays locked.

You are far from a sloppy rider, these are just little things that I see you are improving on already, but sometimes having someone "focus" us on them can make it easier to remember when we ride.

[OhSoAppy]

Doublebar, you are wonderful...thank you for taking the time to type that.

O.K. now I know for sure what you are talking about...yes, the 'loose hips' is an issue of mine. My trainer has, and still does tell me to stop letting my hips 'swing' so much(or as she puts it, my legs are 'hitting' their shoulder). My leg muscling is coming back from winter as I am riding more regularly(I can't ride at home during the winter since the arena is unrideable usually). So that is helping in me 'stabilizing' those legs(although, far from perfect). I love your explanation about 'butt' forward, hips still. I will definitely take that to mind when I ride her next. Although, I will tell you now, that will be difficult the first few times!! Why are habits so difficult to break?

I also know what you are talking about with the one-handed riding, and moving my 'rein' shoulder forward, another thing I get yelled at to correct often. I wasn't doing it there, but my trainer normally has me ride with my 'open' hand at a 90 degree angle (and thumbs up) to help straighten my shoulders. Apparently, they are starting to show that way as well, as it just makes more sense than having your 'open' hand down to your side.


Anyway, I feel like this post came out as if I am making excuses, I hope it does not come across like that. I am basically trying to say I agree with my 'riding habits' you see!!

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Just want to add a great exercise for you to do, going off of what doublebarr is saying -- which I agree with.

When you are cantering, put 1hand/arm way above your head, like you're waving to someone across the field. Doing that REALLY unlocks your hips and allows them to move freely with your horse. Change arms if you need to, but it is something that will help you learn what it feels like to do it correctly. It has worked wonders for a girl I teach, she was a pumper with her entire spine & shoulders....it's like her whole body use to do the waive! hahahaha...but it's stoped, because of the waiving hand trick

[doublebarr]

Oh no, it doesn't seem as if you're making excuses at all. It shows that you are trying and while you may understand the mechanics, putting it to practice is not that easy, LOL. Believe me I know. I can pick stuff apart and know how it "should be", but when I have a friend watch when I'm having a bit of an issue with a horse they can pick me apart too, LOL! It always helps when they do that though as, like I said, someone else pointing it out makes me focus on it more and keeps it in my mind the next time.

I do like your mare a lot. She looks so honest and a nice mover overall.

[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by Rhythm 'n Blues

Just want to add a great exercise for you to do, going off of what doublebarr is saying -- which I agree with.

When you are cantering, put 1hand/arm way above your head, like you're waving to someone across the field. Doing that REALLY unlocks your hips and allows them to move freely with your horse. Change arms if you need to, but it is something that will help you learn what it feels like to do it correctly. It has worked wonders for a girl I teach, she was a pumper with her entire spine & shoulders....it's like her whole body use to do the waive! hahahaha...but it's stoped, because of the waiving hand trick

Thank you! Will do it next time(I am almost tempted to take a lungeline lesson with her...I miss those).

I use to do exercisesl ike that all the time, and I haven't in quite awhile. I hate getting out of useful habits.

Sounds like it is time for me to pull out Centered Riding by Sally Swift and go through some of her tips too.

[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by doublebarr

Oh no, it doesn't seem as if you're making excuses at all. It shows that you are trying and while you may understand the mechanics, putting it to practice is not that easy, LOL. Believe me I know. I can pick stuff apart and know how it "should be", but when I have a friend watch when I'm having a bit of an issue with a horse they can pick me apart too, LOL! It always helps when they do that though as, like I said, someone else pointing it out makes me focus on it more and keeps it in my mind the next time.

I do like your mare a lot. She looks so honest and a nice mover overall.

LOL...isn't it true we are always working on ourselves? I love when my 'non horse' friends tell me riding isn't all that hard. If only they could know how hard it really is to ride 'correctly' LOL. I love that about horses though, it never gets old learning with them. Especially because each horse you ride is so different...that alone takes some work(adjusting to the different feel of each horse!).

Thank you for the compliment on Taylor. I am like a proud mom about her. I do her no justice knowing where she comes from LOL. She was shown younger, got her ROM in WP as a three year old, and had some 'big name' trainers ride and exhibit her. Then little ol' me comes along, and am trying to work myself up to her level (that alone shows you how patient she is..LOL) That will take awhile. She really is a sweet mare, she gives her heart 110%.

[OhSoAppy]

Alright...last question.

Looking at how we are going, do you think it is fine to just keep working her in the current curb bit I have been riding her in(first bit pictured on OP)? No harm done?

I will be out of town(leaving tomorrow at 4:00am) until Saturday, so I may not be able to respond until I get back(unless I have access to a computer_. However, thoughts would still be appreciated

[doublebarr]

IMO, she looks entirely comfortable in the bit you currently have her in. As responsive as she is, you are not having to pick up on her much and I think the only possible difference I would look for in a bit would be to have independently swiveling shanks with the same type mouthpiece. Almost all my "pleasure" curbs have the hinged swivel shanks and it makes it easier to school each "side" of the horse. Let me look up what I mean for you, BRB.

Urgh! I can't find a picture on line right now but will take a picture of one of mine and put it up tomorrow.