Lisa's Blog post # 6

The two rides I’ve had on Cotton since my big date with Sony have been productive.

Yesterday I experienced the enormous importance of having my core engaged at all times.  We were out trotting around the open field – he loves it out there!  I was practicing keeping him round more consistently and slowing him with my seat and leg rather than my hand.   After awhile it dawned on me that a pattern had emerged (I can be a slow learner).  When things changed from going well, to not going well it was almost always because I had allowed my abs to relax.  I lost that “sweet spot” when I lost that feeling of having him between my seat and my hand - which happened every time I relaxed my core.   Who said riding isn’t a good workout?!  He responded very well to my seat and after one really good downward transition from the canter we stopped and stretched, though I was very tempted to practice it again and again.

Another thing I need to improve on – my list is sooo long - is having the confidence to influence my horse and expect immediate results.  I tend to make suggestions rather than give orders.   I need to ask, ask again with more determination, and then require him to do it.  I must put an end to my habit of taking a full time around the circle to cajole him into a good bend or to moving off my leg.   One of the important things Lesley showed me when she rode him on Monday is that rewarding my sweet, sensitive, people pleaser is vital and it must be done instantaneously.  That requires confidence to ask him correctly and firmly and to reward him when he complies.    He gladly obeyed Lesley when she asked!  That’s because she asked correctly and with authority.  He obeyed her and she could then reward him for his obedience.  If I don’t ask well, he can’t obey me well and I can’t reward him well. 

After all my time in the saddle, I am finally learning to ride my horse.