Making Progress in Transitions

Trouble was really well behaved outside today. We spent a lot of time working on trot-canter-trot transitions. He is getting quite good at them, regaining his balance quickly and not throwing his head so high and inverting in the down transition.

He has made some amazing progress in just these few short weeks.

Last Comment on the Clinic

Morgan did an excellent job videoing our session on day two. She also took this really nice picture. I wish I didn't ride with my mouth open all of the time. I started that when I was riding Bailey. It helped me remember to keep his jaw loose. I never stopped riding like that.

Cindy told Tricia her biggest concern with Trouble is that we will push him to advance too quickly. He will give more than he is really capable of giving. So we need to be extra careful that we build up his muscle before moving onto more advanced movements. It's quite humbling to be on such an honest horse.

Day Two of Cindy Stanton Clinic

Today we continued introducing Trouble and myself to exercises to strengthen Trouble's top line. Exercises included long and low trot, three loop serpentine, and lots of canter/trot transitions.

Today Cindy had me sit the trot for a while before moving to canter. She wants Trouble to learn that the cue for canter is inside leg on and outside leg back, rather than moving from posting to sitting trot.



Here is an excerpt from today's session.

Trouble Ended Well On Day One

Since I first started riding Trouble I understood that he needed a stronger top line. Coming up with a program that fits Trouble is challenging. He is probably the most honest horse I've ever ridden. He tries hard to do what I ask and he telegraphs plainly when he is distracted or tired or nervous or frustrated.

Towards the end of our first session he is getting tired but still tries hard to maintain a canter and stretch forward.



What a good boy!

Trouble's First Day at a Dressage Clinic

Trouble was a very good boy today. We are working on developing an even trot tempo and getting Trouble to strengthen his top line. Here is some video from the beginning of our session.



He was very well behaved.

Trouble at the Canter

This was shot on the same day as the trot work. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get him consistently on the bit and in a frame. His gaits and upward transitions to the canter show a lot of promise that he could make a nice sport pony.

Starting a New Chapter

So I started to ride a new horse. Well, actually he is a pony. His barn name is Trouble. He is a sweetheart. He is friends with all of his pasture mates. He tries really hard under saddle.

Trouble is a four year old mustang. He was branded by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and his brand number is 842257. He was born in 2007. Just last year he was running wild in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He seems to like domestication and he seems to like his job.

He is easy to catch from the pasture after I ride him I graze him while he is cooling off. He doesn't have to worry about going hungry or if he is going to become a meal. He is very level headed and honest boy.

Trouble at the Trot

This is about the fourth time I've ridden Trouble. We are working on getting him to accept contact and have a regular rhythm.