Hoping the weather holds off enough to make what we need to do outside not too uncomfortable, slippery, etc. I'm anxious to know if Phebes is well enough to go back to REAL conditioning. The slow work up here has been good and I'm riding a little better than before. Everything hinges on the outcome today, and how slow or fast I can bring her back to where she was prior to the melt-down. I'm not really in a hurry to try our next competition, but really ansty about losing the conditioning I've put on this horse. I'll let you all know as soon as I know anything conclusive. ~E.G.
I'm glad you feel your riding better. I know for me, when my horse is doing a good, ground covering trot or canter I put a lot of weight in my stirrups. I keep my stirrups pretty long so that when standing, with knees slightly bent I am just about an inch maybe two out of the saddle. But not more. I was thinking about you when I was riding this weekend. I know how to ride bareback and sit the trot. Even a bouncy trot. But I rarely do it any more and it doesn't seem right for endurance. When I do sit the trot, it is because I'm tired or being lazy or wanting her to slow down. When trotting I post forward with my hips and back. Barely coming out of the saddle, but barely coming down into the saddle either. If you can understand that. It's more of a forward, hip rolling type of motion. Where your hips do the rolling and your upper body stays level and fairly still. Or so I think. I noticed I mostly stand, I rarely sit in the saddle unless we are walking or I'm trying to slow her down. I keep the majority of my weight in my legs. I don't know if this helps or not. I was just conscious of it this weekend. I feel really comfortable on my horse and THINK I am riding correctly.
ReplyDeleteHad my 2 oldest riding the horses some yesterday. They LOVED it and did so well. Even when the horses trotted. My husband led his horse and I led mine. He even ran along his horse so she would trot and even sometimes canter. (I did too, but I'm glad he did.) The girls loved it. Can't wait to get them a horse, but my husband is making us wait until we move. Bummer. I keep finding lots of great horses on the internet, that will probably be sold by the time we are ready to buy! I know, I shouldn't even be looking. But I can't help it.
Good luck with the vet. And if you are calm, that will help Phebe be calm!
Michelle Detmer
Everytime I have had to lay up one of my horses my thoughts are always centered around "but she looks so good finally" and "how much of this conditioning can I keep on her" etc etc. I usually find that the conditioning is the least of my worries and once in condition, they come back into condition FAST. Sometimes too fast for their own good.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with the Vet visit today!! Here it is beautiful weather, after some rain this morning, hope you had the same!
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