Today I didn't have a ground work session as planned as there was a clinic going on and the arena was quite busy.
However I had about forty five minutes to ride during the break. The two goals of the ride were for me to slow down my seat so that Bailey could slow down her gait, and to work on our transitions. At first we walked around the arena in both directions. Then I practiced moving in harmony with Bailey at the sitting jog. I had the arena all to myself so I took the opportunity to practice lope departures. The calmer and more trusting I got, the more Bailey trusted me, the better our lope departure was.
Then we walked a few laps around the arena on a nice long rein. Bailey gets nervous when jogging with lose reins. I asked for the jog making sure my seat was nice and quiet. At first Bailey sped up but then she slowed down and held the rhythm for one full lap around the arena for the first time since I started riding her. I was so happy with her I stopped her and rubbed her and just walked her around for the last five minutes before my turn in the arena was up.
After untacking I put Bailey back in her stall and started to massage her. Since she was so fidgety I asked my dad to hold the lead rope. First I started firmly wiggling her crest. After a few seconds Bailey's lower lip drooped and her eyes softened.
Next I stiffened my fingers and dragged them with all my might down Bailey's neck on both sides. I am not sure what this technique is called. I saw it in a equine massage video and that horse loved it, so I thought to try out out on her. She stretched her neck down and licked and chewed during massage for the first time.
Then I did the scapula release and loosened up her hips. After that she had a very big lick and chew. I took the lead rope and walked her around a little bit to finish the massage.
Today I had cut up apples instead of baby carrots for Bailey's after session treat. It goes without saying that Bailey loved her well deserved treat.
However I had about forty five minutes to ride during the break. The two goals of the ride were for me to slow down my seat so that Bailey could slow down her gait, and to work on our transitions. At first we walked around the arena in both directions. Then I practiced moving in harmony with Bailey at the sitting jog. I had the arena all to myself so I took the opportunity to practice lope departures. The calmer and more trusting I got, the more Bailey trusted me, the better our lope departure was.
Then we walked a few laps around the arena on a nice long rein. Bailey gets nervous when jogging with lose reins. I asked for the jog making sure my seat was nice and quiet. At first Bailey sped up but then she slowed down and held the rhythm for one full lap around the arena for the first time since I started riding her. I was so happy with her I stopped her and rubbed her and just walked her around for the last five minutes before my turn in the arena was up.
After untacking I put Bailey back in her stall and started to massage her. Since she was so fidgety I asked my dad to hold the lead rope. First I started firmly wiggling her crest. After a few seconds Bailey's lower lip drooped and her eyes softened.
Next I stiffened my fingers and dragged them with all my might down Bailey's neck on both sides. I am not sure what this technique is called. I saw it in a equine massage video and that horse loved it, so I thought to try out out on her. She stretched her neck down and licked and chewed during massage for the first time.
Then I did the scapula release and loosened up her hips. After that she had a very big lick and chew. I took the lead rope and walked her around a little bit to finish the massage.
Today I had cut up apples instead of baby carrots for Bailey's after session treat. It goes without saying that Bailey loved her well deserved treat.