Selena Ride 20; Wizard Session 91: Second Verse, Same as the First

Wednesday, 9/2/09

I think I’ve got a good thing going, so I’m going to keep up with it. Selena once again trotted over to me when I arrived at her paddock and I brought her in the barn for a snack while I took Wizard for a walk. Wizard and I went for another hand walk with Mary the Morgan and her owner on the Across The Street trails. We were out for about 45 minutes, just barely getting back by dark- both horses were fine in the low light. Wizard walked a little slower than he did the first few times out- I’m not sure if he was stiff from the walking or just bored, ha ha.

Wizard got his alfalfa snack when we returned to the barn and I grazed Selena for a few minutes. I tacked her up and rode her outside under the lights. The weather is still outstanding so I’m getting as much riding in as I possibly can.

We worked on the Orange Cone Square (see previous ride) again, plus I added a chute made of two jump poles. I borrowed the idea from 101 Jumping Exercises. The jump pole chute was part of the same theory as the orange cones: I used the chute as a visual half-halt. We did not ride over the poles, just through them, like a little path. Each time we went through the chute, I asked either for an upward or downward transition. Eventually, I felt Selena sit back just the tiniest bit on her hind end, which was great- we are working on gaining strength and suppleness. I also felt her stretch down several times into my hands at both the walk and the trot. When we trotted through the poles without any downward transition, I felt her pause for just a second as I half-halted with my seat and closed my fingers but kept the trot.

I continued my Orange Cone patterns, making them more complicated, such as walking for two/three steps at each cone and then going back to a trot. I also did two halt-trot transitions in each direction- she is light to my leg and the transitions felt nice.

It felt fantastic to finally find one of the keys to unlock good results with my riding and my communication with Selena. I think these patterns have the potential to grow into more sophisticated exercises with some simple repetition and patience…

Second verse, same as the first!

H! E! N-R-Y!