So a few weeks ago we went a little crazy in the heat...
and rode in headcollars?
Also the mini jump course video I posted the other day but embedded this time for your convenience :)
Going out in a lorry on Sunday, so that should be fun. Pony's finally put weight back on after spending a stupid amount of money on feed since January. He's at the really awkward stage of moulting where he looks kinda moth-eaten and possibly diseased so that's super fun. Also he's shedding on everything so the nice new stuff I bought at Badminton has to stay at home til he's got his summer coat. Sigh.
Also yeah Badminton was awesome I took some photos with my new camera so I'll try to post them on here soon.
Things at the moment are going really great with Chester, I bought myself some jumping stuff so used my new poles yesterday for the first time and while we had a little over-excitement at new jumps/jumping in general once he settled he was fantastic and when I remembered that if I make decisions on rhythm and focus on stride length and take-off spots and actually give the pony cues and direction he jumps so much better!
Hopefully soon I'll be able to break my habit of just sitting there and going with whatever Chester does with the jump. Getting there.
Today I just lunged him and couldn't resist using the poles again because the novelty hasn't worn off yet. So I got him doing trotting poles and holy crap he didn't even jump them first time round! He floated over them and I wish I'd had someone to take photos/video because he looked fantastic. At the end I put up a tiny upright just cos I've never jumped him without being on board and I wanted to see how he worked it out himself and he did really well.
I honestly think he enjoys jumping but just gets anxious about it so he rushes through it. I'm hoping that the more I do with him and the more I learn to help him out, the more confident we'll both get.
Click to viewAlso the mini jump course video I posted the other day but embedded this time for your convenience :)
Going out in a lorry on Sunday, so that should be fun. Pony's finally put weight back on after spending a stupid amount of money on feed since January. He's at the really awkward stage of moulting where he looks kinda moth-eaten and possibly diseased so that's super fun. Also he's shedding on everything so the nice new stuff I bought at Badminton has to stay at home til he's got his summer coat. Sigh.
Also yeah Badminton was awesome I took some photos with my new camera so I'll try to post them on here soon.
Things at the moment are going really great with Chester, I bought myself some jumping stuff so used my new poles yesterday for the first time and while we had a little over-excitement at new jumps/jumping in general once he settled he was fantastic and when I remembered that if I make decisions on rhythm and focus on stride length and take-off spots and actually give the pony cues and direction he jumps so much better!
Hopefully soon I'll be able to break my habit of just sitting there and going with whatever Chester does with the jump. Getting there.
Today I just lunged him and couldn't resist using the poles again because the novelty hasn't worn off yet. So I got him doing trotting poles and holy crap he didn't even jump them first time round! He floated over them and I wish I'd had someone to take photos/video because he looked fantastic. At the end I put up a tiny upright just cos I've never jumped him without being on board and I wanted to see how he worked it out himself and he did really well.
I honestly think he enjoys jumping but just gets anxious about it so he rushes through it. I'm hoping that the more I do with him and the more I learn to help him out, the more confident we'll both get.