Me: Be prepared to laugh. I drew you a picture of what Stinker feels like he is doing.
I was trying to do a circle to the left...
I want to get him to where he has some semblance of left bend, but I will be ok with just straighter. When I try to swing the haunches in, the head/neck compress, the back hollows, and everything tenses. I've tried adding more outside rein and inside leg, but that has a similar result. I am at a bit of a loss.
D: This seems backwards, but take the nose neck and shoulders right and push the haunches left. So make a diagonal right but stay on your circle. If he seems uncomfortable (which is kind of the point) release it and see if he stays straight then.
Me: Like this? Maybe not quite as extreme...I can't draw.
Me: Should I mostly ignore the tension? Obviously I will try to keep the head out of my face but the instant I start moving his haunches Mr. Saddlebred wants to come out (choppy, tense, braced in his neck).
D: I would fix it but within the exercise.
Me: WTF, I struggle with that when he is all kinked up how am I going to manage this plus the exercise???? (Inner dialog...I spared her that thought.)
Me: Gah I need a lesson (or 50) with you.
D: You are doing fine. And you do lesson with me.
Me: I meant one where you could yell at me. Those fix things more quickly. I miss the yelling.
D: Most people would find you strange.
Me: Most people would be right.
I love the fact that this conversation does not phase her at all and that she can decipher my post it note scribbles. Because let's face it, I can not draw well. And quite frankly I am not very good at describing issues. I am getting better (saying something doesn't feel right, but I don't know what it is doesn't get me very far anymore).
I thought the drawings were pretty clear, which either means they make sense or I am wildly misunderstanding you.
ReplyDeleteOr an even scarier thought...your brain works like mine. I thought they got the point across, but lacked some of the creativity some other bloggers demonstrate. :)
Deleteha i love the diagrams! trying to describe a horse's unique set of issues is challenging for me too, esp if it's something i'm not i even fully understand... also D sounds like such a great trainer. will there ever be opportunities for you two to lesson together in the actual same physical space at any point?
ReplyDeleteShe came down for a clinic last summer but Stinker was out of commission. I was trying to get another one scheduled this spring but I couldn't make it work. Maybe this fall... I really need her to yell at me ;)
DeleteI like the drawings! It makes sense to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I tried describing it before I went F it and started scribbling. :)
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