13th May - A lesson with Marcia - FORWARD!!

I was really looking forward to showing Marcia how well Xaile was going.  so obviously I was tense, so he was tense so he didn't go well.  Ah well.

Flexions for softening the neck

• If he doesn't immediately lower his head and soften the go straight to the small circle.
• When on the small circle apply the inside leg aid then immediately remove it allowing the leg to be long and soft.
• As soon as he lowers his neck and relaxes go straight and change the rein.
• When going large circle as soon as he doesn't respond to the flexion to lower the head.

My position

• longer stirrups
• knees and heels need to be much lower still
• need to flex my ankle to allow my heel to drop
• more upper body tension

Downwards transitions

• Collect, then sit tall while lowering my legs as much as possible.  Make myself as long as I can.
• Do as much as possible from my seat.

Walk to Trot

• Make sure he is completely submissive before asking for the transition.
• Check that he is in front of my leg by making small transitions between collected and medium walk first.

Trot to canter

• 20 m circle, get a really forward trot, not worrying if his head comes up a bit as asking him to go forward (don't confuse him by fiddling with his head while asking for forwards).
• When forwards ask him to soften.
• When soft go to sitting trot. STILL FORWARDS
• When soft and forwards in sitting trot then shoulder in.
• Then ask for canter.
• In canter make the circle smaller and bigger.
• In canter create jump by using the outside leg.
• FORWARDS in canter too!
• All of this makes him use his hindlegs properly and so not throw his forehand into transitions.