What you find when you're looking for something else...
Sideways motion! Lots of it, too.
The sticky hacking problem persisted for quite a while, and I tried a few different approaches to working out what it was about. I'm coming around to the thought that it was partly due to the changes in the field (although these happened after it had started). Another part was probably due to Jackson just being tired - the hacks were long for him and he's still very much on the forehand, so his back must get tired. Since he would generally lead on fine once I dismounted, and then ride on fine after a short break, this seems likely. The final part was that something near or around the gate of the field made him feel apprehensive.
I did nothing directly about the first, but led out in hand a bit more often, with lots of breaks for games and grazing. The second I dealt with by making rides shorter for the moment. In addition, I started to ask Jackson to step under himself and to lighten the forehand by trying some exercises. I also used the best learned exercises to distract him from some of the sticky spots during rides out.
The last part I dealt with by waiting - for a long time, but not passively: I asked him to take a step to the right, rewarded. Then a step to the left, and rewarded. Inch by inch, we moved into the heart of the sticky spot, and then we walked calmly out of it. The next day, we walked right through.
During the process, I worked on little exercises, mainly the beginnings of lateral work. It's easier to do this on the road (provided there is no traffic around), because I have a level surface, with clear edges. This means I can judge how he's moving relative to the side of the road.
It's been getting better and better over the last few days, with Jackson keen to offer lateral moves off the lightest touch on his side. I've also cued them in hand, by lifting the rein and putting my hand on his side. Today, it all came together well. He can now do a full Western sidepass from a standstill - complete lateral movement with no forward movement at all. To do it, I lift the rein on the side we are moving towards, and press my opposite leg against his side. He seems to hesitate for a second, then lifts himself and lightens himself into a lovely pose. Once he's sure he's balanced, he starts moving sideways, crossing his legs perfectly.
He'll do it forwards too, in a standard leg yield, again balancing himself and lifting his shoulder before he moves. Suddenly, from the saddle, it looks as though I'm riding a dressage horse. Shoulder-in is also coming along, though not every time I cue it.
So that's what I found when I went looking for something else and it's definitely something worth having.
The sticky hacking problem persisted for quite a while, and I tried a few different approaches to working out what it was about. I'm coming around to the thought that it was partly due to the changes in the field (although these happened after it had started). Another part was probably due to Jackson just being tired - the hacks were long for him and he's still very much on the forehand, so his back must get tired. Since he would generally lead on fine once I dismounted, and then ride on fine after a short break, this seems likely. The final part was that something near or around the gate of the field made him feel apprehensive.
I did nothing directly about the first, but led out in hand a bit more often, with lots of breaks for games and grazing. The second I dealt with by making rides shorter for the moment. In addition, I started to ask Jackson to step under himself and to lighten the forehand by trying some exercises. I also used the best learned exercises to distract him from some of the sticky spots during rides out.
The last part I dealt with by waiting - for a long time, but not passively: I asked him to take a step to the right, rewarded. Then a step to the left, and rewarded. Inch by inch, we moved into the heart of the sticky spot, and then we walked calmly out of it. The next day, we walked right through.
During the process, I worked on little exercises, mainly the beginnings of lateral work. It's easier to do this on the road (provided there is no traffic around), because I have a level surface, with clear edges. This means I can judge how he's moving relative to the side of the road.
It's been getting better and better over the last few days, with Jackson keen to offer lateral moves off the lightest touch on his side. I've also cued them in hand, by lifting the rein and putting my hand on his side. Today, it all came together well. He can now do a full Western sidepass from a standstill - complete lateral movement with no forward movement at all. To do it, I lift the rein on the side we are moving towards, and press my opposite leg against his side. He seems to hesitate for a second, then lifts himself and lightens himself into a lovely pose. Once he's sure he's balanced, he starts moving sideways, crossing his legs perfectly.
He'll do it forwards too, in a standard leg yield, again balancing himself and lifting his shoulder before he moves. Suddenly, from the saddle, it looks as though I'm riding a dressage horse. Shoulder-in is also coming along, though not every time I cue it.
So that's what I found when I went looking for something else and it's definitely something worth having.