Today we began our session by doing more sideways game. I asked Kai to trot on the circle and waited until he was moving in a nice rhythmic, relaxed and responsive, to set him up success. Then I brought my energy up to let him know we were about to do something different and asked him to move sideways at the trot. Kai usually relaxes and connects after doing this the second or third time because he knows what to expect.
I then did the pre-ride checks and asked Kai to do lateral flexion.
I primed him in an earlier session by teaching him that if I put pressure on the place where my leg is when riding he needs to go sideways. A little bit in front of that spot means to yield his FQ and a little bit behind means to yield his HQ.
I asked him to follow the rail for a few laps in each direction and then began to practice the yields. I started with the HQ yields because they are the easiest for Kai. Once he was very light and pivoting on the correct foot we did some FQ yields. I can easily feel when he is pivoting correctly most of the time but have trouble trusting myself so I asked my Mom to watch his feet and confirm when Kai was correct.
We did some sideways and then ended the session.
I did not ride Kai in a while and I was very proud of how light he was.
I then did the pre-ride checks and asked Kai to do lateral flexion.
I primed him in an earlier session by teaching him that if I put pressure on the place where my leg is when riding he needs to go sideways. A little bit in front of that spot means to yield his FQ and a little bit behind means to yield his HQ.
I asked him to follow the rail for a few laps in each direction and then began to practice the yields. I started with the HQ yields because they are the easiest for Kai. Once he was very light and pivoting on the correct foot we did some FQ yields. I can easily feel when he is pivoting correctly most of the time but have trouble trusting myself so I asked my Mom to watch his feet and confirm when Kai was correct.
We did some sideways and then ended the session.
I did not ride Kai in a while and I was very proud of how light he was.
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