Video Lesson #7

The set up:  6 poles in a half "circle" (I failed at the circle part), three warm up poles in a line, a line of 5 cavaletti two strides cavaletti line of 3.  The line was a little intense for him, but we managed.

My Initial Thoughts:

When I was riding, Stinker felt very loaded.  There was a lot of energy simmering, and honestly I thought this video would look much different.  He really doesn't look different from our more "relaxed" days.  I am using the word relaxed as a relative term, because relaxed does not fit him.  He was a bit more expressive with his front legs, but I think that was due to the coiled spring feeling I had most of the ride.

I tried to keep my reins short and I really tried to balance the amount of left and right.  Also, I tried to make sure I finished all my circles and didn't lose the outside of his body.  I still lost the outside of his body in places, but I stuck with things until I got it back.

I am discovering that Stinker really likes consistency in his routine.  Between his saddle fitting yesterday and the jump field today, I think he was just a little out of sorts.  Obviously this is something that we need to work through, but it is a little nugget I like to have at the back of my mind.  I see myself getting too forward, and I think I need to shorten my stirrups a hole.  On the circle poles, I didn't do a very good job putting him at the spot he needed to be to be able to get the striding right.

When we were going to the left (3:30ish) our half circle didn't look too bad.
At 4:15 I took him through the line with the cavalettis and I think he was a little overwhelmed but it doesn't look as bad as it felt.
4:50 I need to get him in a bigger trot going into the line.  He was too small and the spacing was off, so by the end he was just trying to shoot forward to stretch and make the distances.
5:10 We look like a sidewinder.  I really need to get him straight.

5:25 It was still too small but I think it looks much better.
5:50 I totally got left behind on this one, but he looks good going through.  It was a little quick, but I like him stretching.
7:00 He didn't want to give without running out through the outside.  When I told him no, he had a bit of a temper tantrum, but I think we worked through it well.
9:25 I was very happy with how well he is giving me his head.
10:05 The half circle looks fairly nice.

D's Thoughts:

I see progress again!  On a note that doesn't involve a time, you stopped three or four times to pet him and he didn't dance around.  And you reached up to stroke him and he didn't jog himself off.  Yay!

0:29  His feet are a touch quick, however I am happier about the neck, back, and butt.  So you can ignore that touch for now.
0:37  Your posting mimicked his rhythm after the poles (quick and choppy).
0:47  Those steps before he broke were super.  He just couldn't hold it longer and lost his balance.  No big deal.
0:57  The poles were nice.
1:31  He isn't quite as flow in the wither and front as we would like.  However, this is the best longer trot you have had while keeping a good pace.
1:52  I love how you handled that. (He was cantering, I brought him back and promptly sent him over poles.)
3:44  That is actually a nice trot he is just not confident there so he feels more tense.

3:53  Nice job and your voice was totally relaxed.  That wouldn't have happened two weeks ago. (We flubbed some poles and I made a no no noise followed up with "yeah, that happened".  My running commentary leaves something to be desired.)
4:51  Really well managed on your part at the entrance.  You have a long line of poles there and that is hard for him to maintain.  That is totally OK.

5:05  Ok, when he looks like this take both hands in the direction he is putting his butt and bring his withers over to match the butt.
5:30  Same mistake in the poles that's ok.
5:57  That is perfect for him.  It's ok if he hits.  We aren't after leg height, we want rhythm and relaxation from the poles.

6:31  Well managed on your part!  Before he would have hit the breaks and just danced in place. (There were some people on a trail ride that came by and I lost his focus a bit.)
7:17  Good girl! That is exactly how I would have handled it and how he would have reacted with me.  You have have never stuck it out before and insisted he turn.  Then he calmed down.
7:34  Temper Tantrum

8:00  And you got him back!
8:24  Way to keep turning until he settled down.
8:50  So you have a nice trot and consistent head.  Now go for lower neck if he will let you.

Your rein length was much better.  I thought you were way braver in the hyper moments and you didn't freeze up and do nothing at any point.  You always tried to do something to fix it and you usually made the right choice because he would calm down.

Anytime I could see the under neck rap you either did something to make him give or it was just that your hands were steady and not up, because it didn't stay locked.

My Progress/Rebuttal:

I have been really pleased with our progress since we have started doing the video lessons.  While we still have our stupid moments, I now have the tools to correct things without thinking.  Before I would spend 5 seconds going WTF do i DO???? And now, it is an easy reaction which helps to prevent the crazy from escalating.

PS I totally went GIF crazy after I figured out how to make them.  Props to Emma from 'Fraidy Cat Eventing for giving me the idea.