Step by tiny step we go

[LadyMarmalade]

We've started a bit more seriously on lateral work over the last few weeks, and horsey seems to enjoy it. Today we had a lesson where horsey was properly stepping under himself, which really is an achievement. I've been sitting here trying to digest it, and the earth shattering conclusion that I have come to is.........................

...........................when I let my outside hand drift, so does his shoulder, and that's why we've been struggling! Isn't that hilarious - my trainer has spend many, many hours explaining, telling, asking, pleading, praying, beseeching, SCREAMING this piece of information at me! And I've nodded, and tried, but never GOT it. Now I've felt it, and understood it. It just needed the right exercise for me to be forced into being effective, and my genius of a trainer finally managed it.

Just had to share this with other people who I hope understand how pleased I am. :)

[goeslikestink]

so now you got it keep it lol well done anyways

[AnotherRound]

How excellent is that! My trainer had me doing all kinds of ground work right at the horse's side and it reinforced how much they respond to our body language.From the sleight of hand, from the shift of a subtle leg, from where we turn our gaze, if or how we duck our chin, shift our bone, breathe, and the horse goes "whoof", moves left, picks up his back, drops his hip. And then when he steps under himself, because your body asked him to, or a part of your body went that way and he moved with you, then you understand what you just found out, that there's a kind of symbiosis wherein the horse can't go until you do.

[LadyMarmalade]

It is amazing isnt it. I really do live for these tiny milestones, and it's been a while since I've really felt that we have achieved any.

Am hoping that the next one involves something, anything, at canter! We are still at the 'mad rush' stage, especially on the left rein.