Gia - sessions 1098-1099 - transition work

 

I have started studying a very interesting book, simply called "The Dressage Horse" by Harry Boldt.  It was suggested by my dressage instructor, and it's more of a reference than a book to read.  This page shows how he illustrates the aids for some of the basic transitions.  

I have been working on refining the halt and walk aids with Gia these past two days since the heat has been so bad.  

On Wednesday, I took her into the grass dressage arena, so the sun wouldn't reflect up off the sand and make us even hotter.  It also has more trees, thus more shade.  We practiced Harry's aids to the halt a lot.  Gia didn't seem to be getting it very well.  Possibly, because it was a slight change from what we had been doing.  Possibly because she just needs more time.  But eventually, instead of just softening the hands when she responded correctly, I just started dropping the reins completely, and letting her do whatever she wanted so she could process a little more.  She seemed to give me better responses after that.

On Friday, I took her on the trail to do the same work.  It's very shady on the trail, and much cooler, but she was a bit more anxious, so the work was a little harder to focus on.  I had read Harry's section on Takt or rhythm, so I focused on keeping a rhythmic walk throughout the trail, before and after the halt transitions.  I also allowed her to go back to a long rein after the first few halt transitions, because I could feel them cutting into her walk rhythm and big step, and you have to be careful not to ruin a good walk.  Each time I was ready for another halt, I simply shortened the reins again.  It took her a while, but the transitions did get better.  I also noticed that her "lipstick" was much more pronounced than usual, and much more even on both sides.

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