A Crossroads in Our Relationship

Recently my horse life has been intensely emotional.

The Problem

Cruz made it painfully clear that he wasn’t enjoying the life of a dressage horse. He didn’t want to go round and his canter was getting four beat/lateral and flat. At our last show he threw his head in the air, his equine equivalent of flipping me the bird.

This caused me to indulge in much weeping and gnashing of teeth while I considered whether we had a future together.

Taking Action

I decided to practice cutting the umbilical cord (remember, I bred, backed and trained this horse) and get used to the idea of saying goodbye to Cruz by trying out new horses for sale.

While I did this, at the suggestion of my trainer I sent Cruz to Steuart Pittman, brilliant local event rider, for a month’s training to re-establish my gelding in his old career as a one-day eventer. And find him a new owner.

Cruz’s Reaction

The very tall Steuart made my 16.2 gelding look like a little pony as I watched him ask Cruz to walk over a teeny-weeny ditch. My previously brave eventer looked at it in horror as Steuart told him to stop being such a woosy dressage horse. Eventually I walked in front to show him it was safe, and Cruz took the exact same route over it as I had done.

After some flat work and a few jumps (which Cruz attacked with gusto) Steuart rode him back to the barn. Cruz was then washed off and put in a stall.

I drove away, listening to his pitiful whinnies but sure I’d done the right thing.

Over the next few days Steuart got him jumping quietly, going on trail rides and being turned out in a big field with ten geldings he’d never met before. In short, Cruz went from spoiled brat to being just another horse. He was treated well, but not as anything special.

Feelings…. (Sound of violins)

I felt uncomfortable on all the horses for sale I tried out, ended up taking an off the track Thoroughbred to an OTTB rescue center instead (more about that in another post) and only felt at home when I got back on Cruz for a couple of lessons with Steuart.

Cruz has become humble: he doesn’t want to be sold.

Progress

After three weeks I brought him home to enter a local dressage show.

For the first time in four years I gave him no calming supplements. Although he whinnied for his buddy CD who was also there, he didn’t do anything naughty. He was a superstar in the warm-up, even when a horse came and kicked out next to him.

His three beat canter was back (he got 7 for his gaits) and despite our recent lack of dressage work, we still came in second!

The CoolStance Feed Factor

The CoolStance feed is a big reason for this. Cruz has quietened down so much that I sometimes take his temperature to make sure he’s not coming down with anything!

He hasn’t become a zombie by any means, but he’s calmer and happier. He’s putting on weight and doesn’t spook at everything. I’m no longer afraid to take him out on trail rides, in company or alone, and I jump him for fun, to vary his work.

What Next?

Cruz was getting bored with pure dressage, and it adversely changed his way of going under saddle. He returns to Steuart next week for his final six days of training, and I’ll have some jumping lessons, too. This will keep him interested in his work.

I’ve changed the way I ride dressage with him with positive results. I'll write more about that next time.

I’m more relaxed on him because I’m having fun with him, rather than only concentrating on riding perfectly. As a result we’re both enjoying a better relationship.

Maybe there’s hope for us yet.

Clinic Notes: Cesar Parra

Cesar Parra came to Sharon Myers’ barn, Chimney Hill, in Upper Marlboro for a clinic on 20th and 21st April. Unfortunately I was only able to watch three horses’ rides. But, as always, I learned a lot in that short time.

Here are my notes - I hope some you find some of them useful.

Specific Issues

First Horse

This was a young horse with lovely movement in walk and trot, but a weak canter.

Improving the Canter

• Cesar told the rider to work on her horse's trot for several months, to strengthen the horse before asking for canter again.

• For homework he told her to work the horse in shoulder-in away from and facing the wall to change his muscle memory. This would enable him to approach canter work afresh.

• He also suggested lungeing the horse before riding.

Second Horse

An established Third Level gelding,

Bending and ‘Giving’

• When bending the horse, the outside rein must remain in strong, steady contact – without moving the hand forward – otherwise the horse won't give into that rein.

• The horse’s head must remain straight in the bend, not tipped to one side. Otherwise it is an evasion and not true acceptance of the outside rein.

• When the horse gives to the outside rein, the rider can give, too. But we need to appreciate the big difference between ‘giving’ and ‘throwing away the contact’. Giving with the hands is a slight easing of rein tension, not a loose rein.

• We should give with our hands every chance we get. When the horse learns to relax - without taking hold - he also learns to accept the giving as a reward.

Third Horse

Working at Prix St. George level.

Canter Pirouettes

The rider was having problems getting her horse to submit to the right outside rein in canter pirouettes.

Cesar had her walk the horse in a 10 meter circle with haunches in, then go into canter from walk, still keeping the haunches in WITH LOTS OF OUTSIDE REIN on the ten meter circle.

(I've watched Cesar giving lessons at his New Jersey barn, and his big issue with canter pirouettes is frequently the rider's insufficient outside rein.)

Tempi

For the flying changes the rider’s legs should move ‘like windshield wipers’ in the moment of change, rather than the huge leg and body movements one sees in some riders.

General Themes/Observations

Emotions

• Don’t take it personally when the horse doesn’t do as you ask.

• Don’t hold a grudge against the horse after corrections. Quickly regain your calm.

Quickness

A theme throughout was that we riders are too slow to react to the horse and make things happen. We need to be much more alert and reactive, without being hurried.

Work Less for More Results

The aim is to work less as a rider for more reaction from the horse.

Forward, Forward, Forward!

This was another constant theme running through the clinic.

• If the horse is sluggish off the leg, take both legs away and kick. Keep doing this until the horse reacts as soon as you simply take your legs off.

• Get the horse moving forward before all else. There is nothing to work with until the horse is doing this.

• Get the horse moving from freer shoulders.

Half-Halts

Get the horse sensitive to the half-halts: be dramatic with them if the horse doesn’t listen. The half-halts must come through!

The Whip

Get the horse to react to a touch of the whip. This way we can use it as an aid, not as a punishment, with just a light request.

Reins First

This is a difficult concept for those of us who were trained in the German fashion which dictates ‘applying as much or more leg as we hold with our hands.’ But most of us aren’t strong enough to do this.

So Cesar advocates getting the horse to come back ONLY WITH THE REINS. Then, when he is light in front, ask him to go forwards off the leg and seat.

This makes the horse much easier to ride.

Constantly Adjust

Keep making little adjustments while riding, testing the horse’s flexibility in the head and neck, or rebalancing him.

Lateral Flexion

Continually test the left and right lateral flexion in the horse, in all three gaits. Make sure the horse is supple and ready for any new movement.

Cruz Bay still looking supple today after working hard!