Back to Brian's

Brian took Panda back to his barn a couple of days ago, riding along the highways West of the I. Brian had an excellent ride, which is always great to hear from the horse owner!

Panda did an amazing job in the training of Maddie. I used her 3 times for ponying practice and I felt like a cowboy. Rode her one-handed and could sidepass and maneuver any way required. She did not feed off of Maddie when things got mixed up and just kept listening to me. I was sad to see her leave the Pink Barn--she turned out so well. I really hope somebody can put some hours on her and really have some fun with her next summer!

Too much adventure!

Last Sunday was a long session with some fun stuff and some other stuff. Brian was already tacked up and riding out on the trails when I arrived. I spent about 30 minutes inside with Panda, practicing transitions and doing jumps to a 2' vertical. Her jumps were really nice today. I did rollbacks into the wall and did them at the canter for the first time. Pretty sloppy but she got the concept.

Outside we both did short canters in the outdoor arena and Panda did barrels at the trot. Then we went into the cornfield across the street and had a nice long canter across a field that is at least 80 acres in size. We let them walk along the far side near the woods and both horses spooked hard when we flushed some deer. I could not sit it and ended up on the ground with one hand holding the reins. Panda kept rearing and tore the reins from my hand after a few seconds. Being the faithful companion that she is, she took one look at me and headed for home. Brian took off at a lope to go catch her while I began my walk of shame towards the barn.

I did not expect it, but after ten minutes Brian came trotting triumphantly back with Panda in tow. Way to go, Brian! I hopped back on Panda, no worse for the wear, and we walked both of the horses back to where they spooked and let them look around. Hopefully they both learned something, although it sure would have helped if I had stayed on her back!

On Wednesday I went over to the barn to do a little groundwork and to work on Panda's feet. They looked good but they seem to grow pretty fast.

On the bit and over the fence

REALLY interesting session today. First ride since last weekend. A fussy start, but I decided to focus on getting her on the bit immediately and keeping her there. After about 2 minutes of drunken walking, she started to move forward and lightened up wonderfully. For the first time I was able to keep her on the bit as much as I wanted, and I could descente de main and she stayed there. It was even better at the trot. This was totally new and clearly a result of Lalo's work last week. I also think the in-hand head lowering exercise contributed. With some reinforcement I feel she can really make new progress now.

I set the jump to about 20" and got nice jumps in both directions. She will tend to trot the jumps but I did not feel like going any higher today. I cantered her in both directions, but the jumps were all at the trot.

Nice January trail ride

Brian trailered Panda over to the Bauer's and we rode out as a foursome--Panda, Star, Konerad, and Morgan. The first 45 minutes was mostly walk, which was a challenge for Panda. She wants to go! Towards the end of the ride we took turns cantering around a field and splitting up the group. This helped her. The cantering was magnificent.

Walking back to the farm we stayed behind to move a branch and she became very nervous. She needs to work on this kind of thing. Before loading up we spent 25 minutes playing on the obstacles in Kim's practice field. Panda did great on the Irish steps but needs work over jumps. Overall I was really happy with the entire ride. She did well and showed signs of improvement. She was always controlled and looked great. I think she can improve her emotional control with more training and experience.

direct flexion

On Thursday I worked Panda in a cruise lesson at the trot, utilizing small circles, a couple of rollback, and separated figure 8's when she got hot. Some progress and a good session. Cantered both directions. On the ground I worked on stepping over off the halter. Finished with ponying Star a bit.

On Friday Lalo came and we worked on direct flexion. He felt the pelham was bothering her so we went back to the snaffle. After testing her out he decided to work on direct flexion, starting at the halt. It took about 10 minutes to get a reliable concession and another 15 to begin to confirm it. At the walk it started to develop. I finished the session, working mostly at the walk and seeking direct flexion. Walk halt transitions were OK. Lalo pulls the nose back a little further than I prefer, but the lesson really helped.

New bit

On Sunday we tried a broken pelham, which I was not thrilled about but felt it was worth trying. She accepted it well and flexed at the poll a little better. Overall her response is improving. She is having trouble bending around the barrel to the right. From the ground I also noticed some trouble crossing her hind legs when yielding the hindquarters in right bend (to the left). I think this is holding her back and should be worked on more.

Rollbacks into the wall are helping--she is just starting to "whoa" on command. Trot is slowing down, slowly. Occasionally able to jog her. Canter on 15m circles with correct leads. We cooled off on Tuesday by ponying Star around the arena. Very easy to pick her up and move her around. Panda is very maneuverable with just one hand on the reins now.

More rollbacks

I worked Panda for an hour in the indoor, which was dark due to the lights not working well in rainy weather. I did a couple circuits at the canter but mostly focused on more trot work. Circles were better for circle at the post, and rollbacks into the wall are getting prettier. Her shoulder-in and half-pass at the walk are still fussy and lack softness in the mouth. But I was really happy with the trot work. We were doing soft circles on a loose rein with a stretched neck, and she is getting better at relaxing and standing still after a work session.

Brian rode Star in the curb again and had a good ride. She is ready for more intensive training now and is now officially "green broke."