Giravolta

[Peaches]

Still not done my write up of TT I know  

Okay, so I've been working on this with him quite a lot, and on Monday...

We got an almost full circle on both reins 
And definately getting the benefits, it's really helping the ridden work - even my mum is seeing that now!

However I'm still having to be really quite firm with the end of the stick. Is there anyway to lighten up him up? Or should this just come in time?

x

[Trudi]

mmm, lots you can do to lighten it up, glad it's going well. Is he generally a *forward* horse? I seem to recall he was a little wary of the whip but I guess he is now well used to it 
I was working with a horse today who can do giravolta in his sleep but his owner has been using a little *swinging* of the quarters by drawing the inside rein towards her and consequently he was totally ignoring the whip. I worked him with a little *intent* just raised a little energy into my upper body and worked on some trot in-hand, where I was actually trotting alongside with him and then forwards to halt and ask the giravolta from a light touch of the whip and by walking into his shoulder to keep him *up* through the front.

Sometimes just raising their energy levels by *playing*with them as above can have a profound effect....either that or you look a complete prat 

I've also had success with clicker training this kind of aid.

Good luck.

[Peaches]

Clicker training is a little too much for me to try in conjunction with this at the moment - I haven't a clue where to start...

As for forwards - normally he is VERY forwards...too much so infact; forwards turns into rushing which is what we've been aiming at doing - slowing and steadying everything down. However he really struggles with any sideways/lateral movement and really bending because he gets quite tense and stiff. He's improving all the time but as a result he tends to slow up somewhat and think a bit more 'backwards' or at least 'less forwards' when being asked for anything lateral or sideways which I'm guessing is the route of our problem with this.

I can get him moving light but it tends to result in him moving quicker and 'hopping' sideways rather than stepping across and under. Does that make sense? He's okay with the whip but still doesn't like it near the backend and tends to induce this hurrying more so for this work I've concentrated by the girth and just am acclimatising him to the whip nearer the hocks etc whilst still for now so he doesn't rush away from it ((odd he's worried by them, being a hunter; he's fine having the whipper in's flying past whips trailing beside!))

I'll try the more forwards method...I think of course the issue could be this is the blind leading the . Vic is trying to organise Becky H to come up our way soon which will help immensly I think.

Thanks again Trudi 

[Pikku Karhu]

Like you said yourself, he probably just find lateral work hard to start with - my mare does! I actually allow her to slow down for giravolta, as well as other lateral exercises, as I think slow but correct is better than forwards and hopping. Personally I'd just settle for slow and steady for now... When you get correct work, even if it's slow, it will gradually strengthen him and he will start finding it easier and you can then ask for more forwards. I tend to do a bit of lateral work, then straighten and ask for nice forwards marching steps so that I don't get stuck in the "slow mode", then ask for bit more lateral etc. 

When I had my lessons with Becky H, she also wanted our lateral work to be slow and steady. Having said that, Nell has loads of issues and is a rehab case, so what she needs may be different from your horse... You'll just have to get that Becky clinic organised really soon, she will keep you right! 

[Trudi]

Oh brilliant that you can have a lesson with Becky, she certainly IS the queen of ground work 

PK I would agree slow, slow so that they're not rushing away but I don't think Lance should need such strong aiding now so it's definitely *energy* not rushing that you want 

[Claire]

Vic is trying to organise Becky H to come up our way soon which will help immensly I think.

i heard that was in the planning stages, I'm up for that! 

[Peaches]

  We're fine with slow and steady, it's the lack of lightness in aids that is the problem  It's a bit like his way of being evasive inhand I guess...not naughty but his 'huh?' response 

Yes Claire, do you have transport to get to Vic and Nicola's yard with Molly? 

x

[Claire]

Yes Claire, do you have transport to get to Vic and Nicola's yard with Molly? 

x

i can get - chap on the yard hires himself out for transport purposes!  or might be able to borrow.

We're away 16th - 28th July inclusive (otherwise i would already have booked to go to Hilary's....)