This message is from: "Warren Stockwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I just started taking lessons with Kaari in the Dressage style. First my daughter is working than me. I honestly don't have the skill to do it or the real interest but I am starting to now! I have found that rather than riding as though I am on the trail ( relaxed rein and body ) having the horse under me more and working off the back end it is easier to make a change. Now I don't know if I am saying this all right its the first lesson and we've been practicing since ( 4 days ). We have gotten closer to the canter than ever before. I find ( could be wrong ) that she has to be collected to even make the jump into the canter. If I don't set it up right before I ask I'm destine to fail. The question is why is it important ( yet effective ) to have contact with the mouth?? It seems to me that if the horse is right you should not be in it's mouth but relaxed not tight in the body but relaxed??? I've always been taught to " leave 'em be when they're right ". I've been told to train your horse to collect rather than hold them in. So this is rather confusing to my old brain. Maybe someone can give me some help with this. I'm not sure it won't end in a hard mouthed horse which equals less responsive right? Again new arena and old habits die hard. I just trimmed for the first time with a electric clippers! I've always done it with a scissors and find this works darn good and much faster! I find the high point on the neck ( where the natural arch is ) start there and work in a gradual decline twards the pole than to the withers. I use my hand/fingers as a guide for the leingth guage. seems to work fine. For a Fjord that has never had a electric clippers near her Kaari fell asleep!! Hastle free I love it!! Thanks, Roberta MN The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
