Gia - sessions 1063-1064 - some old, some new

 I'm not quite as far behind today as last time!  Closing the gap!


I worked with Gia on Monday, starting out doing much the same as last week.  She was more responsive to the down transitions, and I also added a little bit of rein back as well.  Also, in my efforts to help her straighten and yield to the rein, she ended up in the canter a couple of times.  It was actually pretty good!  My aids were actually working together pretty well, which kept her going nicely, but it did get her a little frustrated that she couldn't get me to leave her alone.  I did leave her alone once she yielded, but not while she was against me.  HOWEVER, I did not PULL against her.  I just stayed with her, following, never pulling, but never leaving a gap either.  She did end up with a lot of nice moments of yielding though!


On Tuesday, Suzin worked with Gia and I.  We started out with much of the same.  There was a bit more focus on where the poll was - I needed to keep it up and out in front.  It helps to imagine there is a glass of water sitting on the crown piece of the bridle, and you want to keep it level so it doesn't spill.  You don't want it to tip forward (by the nose going down and in towards the chest), or backward (by the nose going up and out too far). You also don't want it to tip from side to side (I think about keeping the ears level across).  It sounds like you would do all of this by making changes with your hands, since we are talking about the face and the head and the bridle, but you really want to work on keeping your hands steady, and make tiny changes with your seat, and legs if necessary.  Mostly, it's about working to keep your own body balanced and correct, while your horse is bouncing, and moving around, and crooked under you.  My goals were ride with my knuckles touching, and to get a "tiny change", and then soften for a moment before asking for more.  If I can keep my knuckles touching for the majority of the ride, it will help to keep my hands steadier, which will help to keep my connection steadier, and it will encourage me to use my leg and other body aids to cue my horse.  My other homework is to ride without my stirrups more. 😝 Yes, even my coach makes me ride without stirrups too!  No more complaints from you guys!! 😎

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