2011 Nov Cindy Stanton Clinic - Day 2

We started today's session with some change of speed at the trot. We started with trot-walk transitions. Then moved onto working trot-slow trot-working trot transitions. This is pretty much in line with the work I was already doing with Tricia to use the slowing seat movement I use to go back to a walk as a half-halt.

Today we did a little lateral work with Trouble. Cindy wants me to start working leg yield and shoulder fore into his training. The purpose isn't really to perform lateral work, it's to get him to move his rib cage out and reconnect contact with the outside rein when I lose it. Although I have to admit that I'm not sure how frequently I should be practicing this lateral work.

This is our lateral exercises today. To the right, I had a very difficult time with the shoulder fore. Whenever I moved his shoulder in he would start turning. I had a very difficult time getting Trouble to listen to my inside leg pushing him out.

To the left, it was more difficult, I didn't get as much movement but he did seem to respond evenly.



I was also really impressed with his canter. I think it's improved a lot. His frame has lengthened and the gait slowed since August. What was really interesting is when Cindy told me to balance Trouble down the long side. Trouble loses his balance evenly, when I'm crooked and even when he goes down hill. This slope is so slight and still I had to balance him and the improvement in his stride is quite noticeable.




Cindy has a way of bringing out the best in rider and horse. I'm looking forward to riding with her again on Saturday.

2011 Nov Cindy Stanton Clinic

Trouble and I rode with Cindy Stanton today. He did really well and Cindy really likes his mind.

We talked about his short strided hind end and she thinks that his hocks are fusing and it should go away within a year. She said we could probably give Trouble hock injections to help get through this or just take it easy with him.

Looking forward to tomorrow.