Thanks to my friend Kelly Gage, we got hooked into the James Houston Clinic she was organizing. I seriously felt that we were just too much of beginners to go but I was completely wrong. I just needed to get over my self consciousness and accept that I wanted to learn more so I can be a better horseman. Once I got to that point, I was all gung ho for the clinic. My sole goal was to gain more training tools so Ollie and I can improve when I work him at home.
I went out in the morning to see some of the other riders and to see what little things I could pick up. It's always fun to watch other riders because I feel you can always learn from watching. On the first day, I was the last rider to go so I had some time to watch before I had to trailer Ollie over.
Once it was our turn, and James turned his attention to us the bells went off in my head. I was nervous! Why on earth would anyone become nervous in a clinic?! But there I was being a nervous Nellie for me and my horse.I wanted Ollie to be worked by James and we quickly found out that we'd get the furthest by working him from the ground. Ollie didn't want to flex with his jaw AT ALL. In fact, he was being a total pill about it. Part of it, I think was that he was nervous too. But James did his magic using long reins and Ollie turned right around and became quite nice after a short while.
To quote my husband from his blog post on "Capture The Light" - Our friend Kelly Gage sponsored a private clinic featuring James Houston, a quietly confident English instructor. James had Ollie under his spell in a few short moments, seemingly telepathically. Pretty amazing stuff.
James is "quietly confident" and he had a wonderful way with Ollie! Sympathetic, listening but also pushing him to work as well. It was amazing to watch.
I was so pleased with the work James and Ollie had gone through. Our plan for day 2 was to teach me these tools.
Day 2 and back for more. Our ride was right after lunch so I had no time to watch the other riders. I got Ollie cleaned up and ready to work again. He wasn't too excited about it and fussed about going on the trailer. He lost the discussion and we got him the short distance over to the clinic. And back to work he went with James.
On day 2, Ollie was a much more pleasant partner and readily went to work. James was very pleased with him. That meant it was time for me to learn how to long rein.
I made a 3 minute video with a tune everyone will know. Isn't long reining just like line dancing???
Overall, I felt we had a great clinic with James. He taught me a valuable tool to use with Ollie to help him strengthen his back and help his flexibility - especially to the right - without the added problem of a rider. I'm not very elegant at long reining yet but just give us some time to improve.
James will be back next month and I plan on going again if I can work it around my busy schedule. April happens to be the Keeneland race meet time and every weekend is a busy workday for us. I hope I can fit Ollie in with James at least one day on a Sunday. We will figure it out.
Since I'm all about photos, here are a few more from our clinic experience.
Ollie is impressively clean for a grey horse this time of year. Go you!
ReplyDeleteOh no way! Although it's been very warm here so I have given him a bath or two. He rolls every day several times a day. The other problem that thankfully didn't show up in photos is that he has very loose poops right now from the uber rich grass that is growing like crazy. Some of his fluorescent colored poop gets on his back legs... I had to take him off the pasture during the day because of this grass on steroids! It's only March! But THANKS for noticing that I'm trying to keep him clean! :)
ReplyDeletehere's a good article on using devices to get the horse to properly use his back. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&fid=5540684&jid=CEP&volumeId=5&issueId=3-4&aid=5540676#
ReplyDeleteI'm really not sure how that article relates to what I was doing since I was long reining and asking for his flexion. The devices in the article actually force the horse into a position, especially that Pessoa contraption. And then the article says nothing about how to "properly" use his back except to say that side reins and the pessoa thing don't do it. I'm also bummed that you felt you had to post anonymously. Certainly you could have signed your name if blogger didn't allow you post as yourself.
DeleteI just finished two lessons in two days at a clinic here (and will ride one more day next week). Isn't it exhilarating to get good help and take giant strides forward??? (Wish I had a "Matt" to take photos for ME!)
ReplyDeleteIt really is! I'm still so thrilled with the experience! Worth every penny for me. Matt is a gem too. Very patient with my pony and me when we act up. LOL!
ReplyDeleteOllie looked terrific on day two, much more relaxed and confident. I know what you mean about using the long reins, it is hard to appear graceful using them. Keep up the good work, you will have an excellent dressage horse before long.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really love the idea of long lining to strengthen Jonny's back without my added weight! I will be looking into this some more! Looks like you had a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI've gotten to try long-lining exactly once, and it is HARD work! I think you did a super job for your first time. Glad you were able to do the clinic, and I know you will be able to apply what you both learned back home. Hope you can get with James again!
ReplyDeleteollie is adorable :-) long-lining is such an important tool in training horses, it's great you are adding it to your kit. i do so much of my training from the ground where i can see and direct everything without always having to ride it. it's a great vantage point for starting and rehabbing horses and introducing new work especially. if it's something that really interests you, and you can find a copy, i can't recommend phillipe karl's book on long reining highly enough; this method takes it beyond exercise to art form :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying long reining! I tried to find that book and I could only find it on Amazon which STARTS it's pricing at $150.00!! Crazy! I'll have to check my library...
DeleteWhat a great clinic. The clinician sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about getting nervous - I just did the same thing at a clinic. It doesn't really make logical sense, but it's good experience I guess :)
Ollie looks incredibly relaxed and round. Very, very nice. Great pictures too. Good luck with the long reining. It seems like a great tool.
Adorable video :)
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