These are my notes from the June clinic, and before I begin, a little background is required for this particular day. Grimsey refused to load into the trailer. Given that he kicks like a cow on steroids, it's difficult to load him by myself without potentially sustaining a life-threatening injury, and so when coaxing him on fails and time has dwindled down to get-on-now-or-we'll-be-late, it's better for my physical safety to call it quits. As such, instead of getting myself killed, I loaded up Friday and took him instead.
Since I don't think I've covered this before, Friday has navicular - according to the vet it's "not very advanced," so he's still sound for light riding. This will be important later because of one or two comments in the notes, which I won't deign to edit out.
So, without further ado, my notes from the June 2012 Sherry Guess clinic. As usual, her comments in bold, my additions in italics.
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6 - 20 - 2012
JS Friday Impression
Think of knees pointing toward ground; line along top of thigh causes hamstring at top to engage.This goes back to the April clinic, so see that post to get a better description of this.
Does his flat back get livelier? Not yet.
This is in reference to Friday's posture; he naturally carrier himself well and with a flat back (not necesserily lifted, but not inverted like a hammock). As we walked, Sherry wanted to see if I could get a little more swing in his back, which we do eventually achieve, so read on! :)
Right hind short today. Reference to Friday stepping short behind; his left front is more affected by the navicular.
Nose to Rail Leg Yield
- Check if neck is bent, or if it is a true leg yield (35-45 degree angle). You want the hindquarters to move in a fraction, you don't just want the neck to bend.
- Look over outside (rail) shoulder to feel the muscles you should be using. Be sure to use all muscles properly - you're not just turning your neck, your using your shoulder and back as well. Don't crane your neck to look down at the dock, per-se, otherwise you'll only be accessing the musclesin your neck, so be sure to utilize all of the muscles on that side.
- Push on the "up" Or, push as the outside hind leg is coming forward.
- Take half-halt with both reins if needed.
Once you get the feel for it, start adding a small circle right haflway down the arena before continuing on in the leg yield. Sherry never specified, but I like to do these circles as I would do a Bow Tie, using my inside calf as the horse's inside hind is coming forward in order to ask the horse to take a larger step and move under himself. Again, careful not to block with your seatbone.
Timing of leg use - The horse lifts its back while foot is on ground; use your leg as it swings in onto their side. This goes back to the May clinic when Sherry talked about feeling the thigh swinging in and out against the horse's barrel.
Leg yield patterns:
These are very basic concepts, and I will list them in order from easiest to most difficult.
3-quarter Line, Yielding to the Rail:My previous instructor used to tell us to "turn early," and that's pretty much what you're doing (she also called it the "quarter" line, instead of the 3/4 line). Instead of following the rail through the turn, turn early so that you are basically in the middle of the centre-line of the arena and the rail. Position yourself for a yield, and pulsate your calf to ask for the horse to move to the rail. This is the easiest of the yeilds, since the horse naturally wants to gravitate to the rail - plus, it gives you a focal point.
Yield Off the Rail:The exact opposite of what is above. You will follow the rail through the turn, prepare for the yield, and ask the horse to move over until you reach the quarter line. Once you reach your mark, don't just abandon the horse, straighten him properly.
Yield Off, Then to the Rail:Here, you will combine the two exercises above, yielding off of, and then to, the rail. If your arena is large enough, you can add more yields in-between. I prefer to always be yielding through the corner.
Three Hinges:
1.) Jaw/Poll - Hand/Fingers
2.) Shoulder & Ribcage - Knee/Thigh/Panty line (lol)3.) Hindquarters - Calf, hip muscle
It's basically as it sounds, describing which of the rider's body parts affect each part (or "hinge") of the horse.
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That's it. It was pretty basic stuff, and really just a review since Friday is unsound. Friday didn't know any of it, as he didn't stay sound long enough to learn all the lateral work, and I'm pretty sure that by the end he was flipping me the bird (if horses had middle fingers). Hey, an old guy shouldn't have to come out of retirement to work!!! He is, now, happily turned back out with Bonc and once again enjoying the retired life. Although, and one of my former instructors would argue with me on this point, Friday always did enjoy having a job.
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