November has mostly been a disappointment with Basil, we
have made a little progress in the last week but things are just not where I
would like them to be. Tommy's leg is much, much better though - so that is fantastic.
My Aims for November:
1. Calmness -
especially in canter
2. Rhythm
3. Suppleness
4. Correct
canter leads on both reins
5. Consistency
of bend on left rein
6. Having
more consistent contact in trot
7. Longer
periods working on the bit
8. Trot
serpentines need to be more consistent
9. Improve
our canter, more rounded
10. Trotting
poles
Honestly, most of this has been a disaster during November :(
This is what November looked like:
1st - rode in arena today, Basil has had 3 days off because
he had his teeth done on Friday. We did
some walk and trot over a pole and some trot serpentines - these were OK but
have been better. We managed some nice
right canter but I could not get left canter, Basil kept falling out through
his shoulder and avoiding - eventually we managed the correct lead. I wonder if his mouth is still a bit sore.
2nd - lunged today, I think I will give him a few more days
off from riding in case his mouth is sore.
4th - lunged again, we are in a good place with our lunging
again now!
5th - Basil has half pulled his shoe off, it is fine but I
had to pull a nail out which was sticking out at a nasty angle.
8th - farrier came to sort Basil's shoe.
11th - I rode in the
arena again today. Basil jumped and shot
off because there was someone with their dog on the footpath - I couldn't pull
him left, he totally evaded. He is still
difficult on the left rein so we didn't canter today.
12th - hack out today, no problems just a gentle potter.
15th - lunged again today.
18th - arena today. We managed some nice round and soft work
in walk and trot, we had an OK right canter but then it all went wrong again
with the left canter. Basil always
rushes when he anticipates canter but he is worse and keeps falling out - when
I put my leg on to stop him he gets faster :(
20th - Lunged today -
good :)
22nd - Lunged
23rd - arena and I have changed Basil's bit. He was so much better, didn't fight me,
didn't stick his head in the air , didn't fall out, we had some good canters on
the correct leads!
24th - found bruises on Chesney's soles - explains why he
has been more uncomfortable than usual this week :(
25th - arena. We managed some OK trot serpentines and some
fair work in walk and trot. Canter on
the right rein was find but we got the wrong lead the first time on the left
rein, rushing again.
26th - lunged.
27th - arena again today, Basil is still better in this
bit. We did some good walk and trot leg
yield and serpentines. Correct canter
leads first time on both reins he is a bit strong in this bit though!
29th - arena again and Basil was not so good today. We got some good circles in walk and trot but
our trot serpentines weren't very balanced or rhythmical. Left canter was tricky again today -
frustrating.
30th - too icy to use the arena today or go on the road.
Things can only get
better- can't they. I only have 5
because we really are needing to go back to basics.
1. Calmness
2. Rhythm
3. Suppleness -
in every pace :(
4. Improved
brakes!
5. Correct
canter leads
Have you seen this weeks video 'It's December' on my You Tube channel.
Horse Life and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.
You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.
Until next time!
Jo
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