Hi Everyone,
Im in Japan and have the oppotunity to ride some high level horses. English is scarce and I dont do to well in Japanese yet. The owner has offered to let me ride some of his high level horses. I'm not really a high level rider yet. Anyway I tried to ride one of his horses and got very frustrated. I did alright at first but after about 20 minutes things went down hill. I did the usual warm up on log reins and then took up a little more contact. Okay for a while then I tried cantering and it took a couple of tries.
Cantered a little then went back to trot and walk. I had to use a lot of leg for lateral work and it finally got to the point all the horse wanted to do was walk and maybe trot. I think he got frustrated with me making to much noise. So I had a stick but didnt use it. They dont use spurs on him. When asking for the canter no luck. More leg just got bend. I think I offended him by using to my aids to strong, he finally quit listening.
Could someone explain how to ask for more impulsion without using a lot of leg and I found when asking for the canter I had to use inside lateral aids and my toe to tickle his front leg. I know all this sounds extremely fundamental for most but I could use some advice.
I'm not a high level rider either----but I been given instruction on a Riding Masters Haute Ecole horse. Number one thing I found was that the horse does exactly what you are telling it whether you realize it or not. For me the problem was, I thought I had a very balanced seat----but the Master's horse was like a wriggling worm under me---I had to tune in and control my seat/balance even more.
Did the owner of this horse offer you any help? Have you seen the horse actually ridden well through all the levels?
I would say, and I'm not an expert, Try asking for canter departure after comming across a diagonal at trot-- just as you approach the corner/turn ask for canter [from trot]by gently/lightly having your inside leg at girth make a [subtle}counter clockwise circular motion------outside leg behind girth supporting lightly to prevent hindquarters moving sideways---if you are seated equally on your seat bones, and you legs/seat are relaxed flowing with the horse----the subtle counter clockwise movement of you inside leg is going to give a gentle push forward of your inside seat bone---and a light nudge from your calf. Make sure you are not using too much pressure to the reins----which would tell the horse "we are collecting and moving sideways"
If trotting the diagonal seems too much---try your departure from a well balanced corner. I'd try to get it from trot first--and when that works try from walk------this is the way a young horse or novice rider begins because it is easier-------anytime you get hung up, return to the beginnings most/ simple movements and excercises----even a Haute Ecole horse should be able to understand/ execute movements from his "training level" days .
when you're riding to the left your inside leg would make the counter clockwise motion--------when riding to the right it would be clockiwise
basically forwrd cicular motion [subtle subtle] in direction of turn/circle/bend you are riding
maybe experiment w/ the feel just sitting on a chair------ notice how this motion changes the pressure/position of your seat bones ------ it's also going to gaurd against pinching/squeezing with the knee/ because your leg is going to make this tiny revolution from the hip on down to your heel -----be sure your whole leg does this, you don't want to tighten the knee and thigh causing only to move the calf.