Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Building on a Foundation

Over the last month, I got the occasional updates from LA on how Gem was doing with his training, but they were vague.  She didn't want to tell me too much about what she was working on and how Gem was responding.  She wanted me to really "see" the difference in Gem when I finally got on him.

However, barns being the way they are, there were a number of people who were more than happy to tell me how well Gem was doing.....or not.  :-)  I heard how Gem was awesome on one day when LA took him on a trail ride with the day campers.  Then I heard how he gave LA the business on the next trail ride because of mud (yes we had some rain, thank goodness!!).  He became reacquainted with neck reining fairly quickly and was even doing some slow spins.....could LA being getting him ready for a reining career??   Apparently, Gem regularly showed LA where they should be going instead of where LA wanted to go.  Then there was the time that LA was trying to convince Gem that he needed to lope on the correct lead and Gem resisted....to the point that he started to buck and almost unseated LA.  Whoops.

Gem's boot camp was completed last Thursday.  I contacted LA at the beginning of last week to ask if I could get on him this past weekend.  Her response: "Let's start with a lesson on Friday and go from there."   I was nervous and excited.  He was great tacking up, very relaxed.   The first part of our "lesson" was LA riding Gem.   He stood calmly at the mounting block, waited for her to mount and waited for her to tell him to move off.  What?!!  Who is this horse and what have you done with mine?!!

She explained her training process while she worked him.  She walked Gem in squares, her legs in neutral, using a loose rein to steer.  If she didn't ask him to turn, he would just walk right to the wall, stop and then wait for her to tell him where to go. What the heck?!  She asked him to jog and once he started her legs went back to neutral and he was expected to keep jogging until she said otherwise.  And, he did.  After jogging, came loping.  LA loped him in large and small circles without using the reins (she rode with no hands).   I am sure my mouth was hanging open to my chest.   He looked beautiful, really light on his feet.  I am not going to say that he didn't resist on occasion, but LA got in his face immediately and convinced him otherwise.  

Now it was my turn.  Gulp.  LA explained that the lessons I have had in the past have built a foundation.   Now we are going to build on that by learning how to ride effectively and efficiently.  LA shortened the stirrups a little more than how I usually have them.  Gem stood while I mounted and waited for me to tell him to move off.   It felt really good to be on my beautiful boy.  LA showed me how to hold the reins with one hand and off we went.  

I had to remind myself not to keep my legs "on"!  It was hard...I think it became habit due to my initial of lack of confidence and then out of my perceived necessity to keep Gem moving....my legs are like steel traps!  :-)  I was on a loose rein and I managed to steer OK.  It will take some practice to keep my hand low.  We walked, we jogged and then it was time to lope.  Heels down, butt in the saddle, loose rein, neutral legs, looking where I had to go.  I did it!  It was amazing.  Small circles, large circles.  It was easy and light; no pulling or yanking.  My hands were so much softer than they usually are because of the loose rein.   And, after loping a few circles, I wasn't exhausted!   I rode him for about 15 minutes.  DH's Mom had come to watch and yelled her congratulations.  :-)

I had another lesson with LA on Monday and I found that exhausting.   The heat was not very kind; my face was as red as a lobster, I had sweat stinging my eyes, causing odd winking and blinking, and my hair seeped out of the sides of my helmet looking like tuffs of brillo pad.  I looked crazed!   And, on top of not looking my best, I had to actually learn stuff!!  Geez!  :-) 

Keep your hand in the center!
Keep you hand down!
Turn him to the right!...no, the other right!
Look where you are going!
Don't move your hand out further than your hip!
Don't yank!
No babysitting!

Neck reining really brought home how much I depend on two reins/hands for security and balance!  And, not using my legs as steel trap feels really weird.  But, the result of this approach has really changed Gem.  He seemed calmer and more attentive.   However,  LA is adamant that I can't let him get away with anything.  She says he way too smart and if I let one thing slip, he will take that as an invitation.  :-)  A fellow blogger over at Living The Dream also has a Canadian and had an interesting post about just that. 

Having Gem do 30 days of training with LA has been very positive.  I think he actually liked having the challenge.  We have left it where I will have another couple of private lessons with LA.  If he needs the odd tweaking, then she will ride him. 

So I have my homework cut out for me.  LA wants me to practice, practice, practice:
  • putting my legs back in neutral once I finish "asking"
  • neck reining on a loose rein
  • I am not to use any verbal cues 
  • walking in rectangles
  • I am to keep my hands soft and not yank or pull - I have to think of carrying egg yolks in my hand
  • if he doesn't  respond to a cue or tries to make decisions for me, I am either to turn him in a circle or back him up assertively, depending on what I am correcting
  • keeping my eyes up and looking where I want to be instead of looking at Gem's beautiful mane!!!  :-)
Have a great week!



23 comments:

  1. It must have been hard for you to give Gem over and not being able to do anything with him for 30 days, but it it sounds like it was well worth it and that he made huge progress. Not surprised that he made her work too; he is far too intelligent to take things lying down isn't he? It's probably useful that LA knows him so much better now, it will reflect in the way she coaches you with Gem. I'm looking forward to reading about your progress!

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    1. It was really tough to let go. :-) I am glad that LA has gotten to know him better, too. I think that our private lessons will be much more focused on what he and I need to work on. LA will also be in a better position to provide insight into HOW to work with him.

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  2. Your ride on Gem sounds awesome. I think it was such a good idea to have Gem in training with a professional for a time. Even if it was hard on you to not see or ride him. All this is going to really have a wonderful impact on your riding and Gem's ability to listen to you. The private lessons are a great idea too. It's a way to concentrate on what you're doing without worrying about negative feedback from spectators. You and Gem are already a great team and with his training there's nothing you can't do together! Have fun.

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    1. I have lots of practicing ahead of me! I am a little nervous but also very excited about learning something new with Gem and being a better rider for him. You are right - there's nothing we can't do together!! :-)

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  3. It must have been hard to miss out on your horse time. Sounds like going to school with LA was very good for Gem though - she put a little polish on him... ;)

    Looking forward to more happy, tired, satisfied posts!

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    1. You know, August was the perfect time for him to be away from me. It was blistering hot here, and I probably wouldn't have ridden that much any way. I really missed just being with him though. :-)

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  4. Has it been 30 days already?!

    I'm sure it's been an eternity for you! I can hardly imagine.

    L likes being challenged but more often I find I'm better when we're challenged. She's at her best when I'm at my best.

    L can be light as a cloud. It's downright sensational. We have to work together to get there though. Most of the time I have to work pretty hard at it. It's more mind than body.

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    1. I am looking forward to the "downright sensational" stage....I think it's getting closer. :-)

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  5. You're right inbetween conscious incompetence and conscious competence- which is the hardest part because you've got to retrain your muscle memory. It will take a lot of perseverance, but I know this is important to you so you'll do it. Hang in there, I'm rooting for you :)

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    1. "Conscious incompetence and conscious competence" - love that! Just based on my two lessons, yes, it is going to take a lot of perseverance to retrain my body. But, I am up to the challenge and I appreciate you rooting for me!! :-)

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  6. I am echoing what the other commenters said, hard for Gem to be away from you for so long but it seems like it was worth it! I would love to have Shy be sent for 30 days of training, but my wallet does not agree at this point :) And I really enjoy watching her progress when she was getting her lessons.
    Keep up the good work!!

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    1. Sending Gem to training was recommended to me a while back, but I resisted. I think I needed to get my head around it. I am glad that I did. Your ongoing work with Shy will prepare her confidence-wise for 30 days training, when your wallet allows. :-)

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  7. Congratulations! Sounds wonderful! Sounds like GEM responds to confidence, and your confidence is growing leaps and bounds.

    Not being a horse person, it's really wonderful for me to read about you and GEM and your progress.

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    1. Thanks, DD! I hope your Star has completely recovered.

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  8. Congrats! Good training is worth every penny, for rider & horse. Safety & enjoyment are priceless. It is hard to hand them over, but so worth it in the end. Glad to hear things are going well!

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    1. You are right - safety and enjoyment ARE priceless. :-)

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  9. That's awesome that the training went well. Sounds like you guys are doing pretty good and improving heaps.

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    1. Gem has certainly improved and I am looking forward to matching his improvement! :-)

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  10. Fantastic!! Well done you, making that hard decision AND sticking with it :D Gem must have looked the 'business'! Now its your turn, to unlearn and relearn but you'll get there and what an awesome pair you'll be :D Can't wait to hear more, now that you're riding Gem again. xx

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    1. Yes, now it's my turn. :-) I have to think that with all this learning on both sides, it can only bring us closer.

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  11. Sounds amazing, I feel motivated after reading your post!!!! Good on you and I am glad it was a very positive experience. Sounds like you have a lot of hard work in front of you but I believe it will be very rewarding!!!!

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    1. Strangely, I am very excited about all the "hard work" I have ahead of me. :-)

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  12. Wolfie - Don't be nervous about riding Gem - I remember when I first got Silk I used to feel like I had to show improvement each time I had a lesson with the trainer. But there will be days when you do great and days when you appear to have forgotten everything. It's just good that you have a trainer you and Gem like and trust. Reading what you've been doing made me think about Ray Hunt. Have you ever read his little book "Think Harmony with Horses"? If you haven't, you might really enjoy it. Sounds like Gem has a lot to teach you too. I think you're a great team. Remember there aren't any deadlines. I always think that Silk and I are on a journey together that has no destination. If we don't get to it one day, we will the next.

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