ET is Mint

1/25/14

I rode ET again today. It was a good ride, and I’m starting to figure him out a lot more. There were moments when my posting was how it should be and it felt really good. It’s hard to remember: legs back, shoulders open, sit up with your abs, look up, hands together, oh yea, and ride the horse. At the walk he really thinks he can just forget anyone is up there and plod along. Lots of transitions today. I’ve noticed two things that lead me to want a lot of transitions while riding him - the first is that he gives up at the walk, and the second is that the moments we have that are floaty and nice are after he’s had a short break. So for a solution for the giving out at the walk - more walk/trot transitions keeping him collected. Also, hesitating just before the walk, and if he seems like he’s going to lose all of his energy, bring him back to the trot so he’s not just expecting to continue walking. This also helps keep him strong as it gives him a lot of little breaks in between trot sessions. I think I also need to figure out where exactly to put my leg and seat to get that perfect downward, and that is something I struggle with on Duncan as well. Today I also noticed that he can over bend a bit, which I am not sure if that is my fault. Because he is so heavy in the hands when you let him be, I did some counter bending. He does it, but is a bit stiff, so I will try to work more on that as well. Another thing I want to prefect on him is my leg yielding. I want to get the right amount of forward and sideways. Overall a great ride, and certainly getting my brain thinking about dressage again. While riding him I am reminded about why I loved dressage in the first place. I have to say that I love his old soul, and how he takes care of you. I really find comfort in that, which is nice after riding a young horse all the time!