I finally got to ride Beefs again yesterday. With trying to get the fiancé ready to leave and everything else going, I haven't had much time or energy. I'm glad I rode him yesterday because it started raining yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped since.
I was completely determined to have a decent ride. I went in with the mind set that we didn't have to be perfect, but he was going to focus and behave. Any disobedience was going to get stopped the second it started and not be allowed to escalate. I have a tendency to be too laid back when it comes to him misbehaving. In the past, I could just ignore him. Ride like nothing happened and he would get over it. However, that hasn't worked lately, so I need to start being more strict with him without taking it personally and getting mad when he is being less than stellar.
Beefs warmed up fairly well, but it was pretty obvious that he was going to attempt something at some point. Then he pulled the dropping the outside shoulder and trying to run sideways thing. I popped him on the ass to try to send him forward. That just made him run sideways more. I got him on the shoulder, he still didn't stop. I used the whip harder on the shoulder and he finally decided that he should probably give it up. I hate having to use a whip as punishment. He's a little jumpy about it as it is and I prefer to use it for refinement, but I'm also not going to let dangerous behavior go unpunished. It's not like I hit him hard enough to leave welt and I wasn't using it out of anger or fear. I wasn't beating him because he wasn't going perfect and I lost my temper. I didn't have to use it again for the rest of the ride, but I did keep it in my outside hand just in case.
After that little fiasco, Beefs was pretty good. He didn't go as well as he was going a couple of weeks ago and that's fine. Horses plateau or even regress sometimes. That doesn't bother me. All I wanted to accomplish was for him to stop being resistant, to focus on listening instead of testing me. When he is done with being evasive, I will worry about moving on. Until then we will just keep it simple. His brain staying in tact is the most important thing to me.
I think one of the most valuable things I have learned at the track is to know when to push and when to back off, to follow my instincts instead of force something because I want to or because it's expected. The worst thing I could do with Beefs right now is cave into rule of thumb expectations. To be fair to both of us, I have to adjust to the horse I have at the moment. Trying to force the horse I want won't get me anywhere.
I was going to go buy the things to set up a temporary dressage arena yesterday since my friend and I wanted to video our tests today. This rain isn't letting up anytime soon and the entire backside is a muddy mess, so our chances of getting out entries in for the Dressage Anywhere classes on time are pretty unlikely. There is always next month, I guess. That's what I get for waiting until the last minute. Not that I had a whole lot of choice, but still.
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Love this post. I have totally had this ride and it is so hard to separate out the emotions and just address what the horse is giving you, especially when you know they can do so much better.
ReplyDeleteOh, and can I just say how impressed I am that you find the time to trainas much as you do with the whole full-time racetrack thing going on?
Thank you :) I wish I had more time for my dressage horses and always feel guilty about not getting enough done, but I'm trying. You just made me feel better about it :)
DeleteGreat post! Diva and I definitely regressed this spring, it seems that we are finally moving forward again. I have to remember that she doesn't know what a calendar is and if she isn't ready for shows and such until next spring it isn't the end of the world. Glad Beefs gave in finally:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, me too. The calendar thing is a good way to think about :)
DeleteI second what SprinklerBandit says! This post actually goes hand-in-hand with a post that the 900FacebookPony wrote today about baby steps and progress. This is a tough sport, physically and mentally, and it IS hard to separate your emotions and ride the horse you have in that moment. And sometimes it's just not our day.
ReplyDeleteKeep your head up, stay focused, stay positive and always look ahead to your next ride being better (more productive) than your last :)
It definitely is a tough sport. Thanks!
DeleteThe beauty of DA (makes me think of Harry Potter - sorry I'm a dweeb) is that it isn't going anywhere and it doesn't cost anything unless you submit a video entry. No harm no foul, there is always next month or the one after that etc ad infinitum.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the Beefster saw sense and will hopefully retain the redressing from that spin. Fingers crossed he retains the lesson until the next time he tries to push his luck...ah the beauty of working with an animal with its own mind & way of doing things. They sure do keep us grounded & make us appreciate the good days as well as the not so good just so we can truly appreciate the bond and what can be achieved
Yeah, they do :)
DeleteWell done you! And yes, sometimes you have to use the stick. That is why it is there. I was hanging out while M gave a USPC A candidate a flatwork prep today. The horse was kind of surly and behind the leg and M was muttering to me about that, and then the rider took her feet out of the stirrups and kicked the horse. M said, "NOW she is riding like an A." You have to be effective! It's not all long reins, kissing, and carrots.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I've gotten a long ways using tact with him, but there are just those times that isn't going to cut it. I need to get better at being tougher :)
DeleteI like your mentality on the regression! I find it hard to always be patient with that. Bummer that the rain is ruining your test videos, I am still interested to hear how that whole thing ends up working.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely do a post once I get it done :)
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