Well, I was able to continue on with my Training Performance Horses class...since I could walk and jog Gunny on a loose rein. Now it's time to work on the lope.
Like I said, I do have access to an indoor arena...so that has been a blessing. Although, because Gunny can't see the other horses, she doesn't care to be in there very much.
I was working her in a small circle at the walk and jog...but I figured I needed more room for the lope, so I expanded to the perameter of the arena. I tried walking and jogging on the rail and she had a hard time staying on it. She wanted to continue going to the center. She's always done that -- even before I started this course. I'm not sure why. Anyway, I tried loping her on the rail and she was a maniac...it was hard to stop her and she wants to go to the center before stopping completely.
So I decided to try working her in that small circle again, even at the lope, because she's use to it from lunging.
I started lunging her at the lope...letting her go a few strides...then stopping her...then making her WALK to settle down. I have more control of her when she's on the lunge and I can see what she's doing. It's gotten a little bit better, but she does throw her head and often flips the rein over the other side of her head...I often wonder if that's a way to get me to not make her work...because I have to stop her to fix it.
Anyway, I started riding her in a small circle...and whenever I ask her to lope, head goes up and she DARTS into it. Either that, or she just trots really fast and lays back her ears. It's very difficult to get her to settle down. I have been able to stop her a little better at the lope, although yesterday she was so touchy...any sound I made at all -- clearing my throat, sniffling my nose, etc, she wanted to bolt. It wasn't good.
She has had about 5-6 days off because of deer hunting season, so hopefully today will be a little better. She progresses better when she's worked daily.
Updates, soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment