Vet Visit 20th January

Fred

Eyes Beginning of cataracts both eyes, almost certainly age related, currently not issue as not impairing vision.

Heart Good

Lungs Good

General Cushings continue with management routine (Agnus castus/fibre diet/soaked hay) whilst funds allow keep him in bar shoes, not strictly necessary but Liz of view they are a good idea given his age and laminitus risk. Leaky bottom probably have to accept as he ages it may get harder to control, nothing new on market to suggest/try.

Chorister

Eyes Same as when vetted

Heart Good

Lungs Good

General Nosebleed stop worrying , risk of gutteral puch mycosis low. Extensor tendon swelling (LH) disappointing that still filled but cosmetic. Warts on sheath as not progressing leave but keep watching brief. Condition Liz thinks he is looking good awaiting tomorrow's physio report with interest ND is very through and detailed suspect Liz was expecting Chorister to have turned into old crock from physio reports

Trot up RH slightly swinging wide, Liz not concerned as not issue under saddle. In general loathe to go in all guns blazing as can create issues as well as resolve issues and her view is that this for a 19yo is a non issue. Physio should be sufficient to keep eye on it.

Attitude

Clare likes my attitude for which I have Sue NP, Skunk, Lorna and my husband to thank as they've probably been the major shapers.

Lesson today at new venue Worton Park, which yes is a spooky indoor school as befits the reputation is has locally. It is to my mind an odd indoor being cobbled together out of a motely half of a farm building. So down at C you have a large metal roller blind about 12ft wide with lareg notice on the outside it is not to be used . Half of the other long side is open to another store shed with an ecletic collection of junk

Didn't overly like the school as it feels quite oppressive somehow but it is a good surface.

Anyway did some work on halt and Clare commented on how C and I were getting into a 'fight'. she didn't know if it was me or him to which I said it doesn't matter whose fault it is, it is my responsibility to correct it. To which Clare commented she liked my attitude

I don't think SFO knows what I call her although BB came close to revealing all last night

Clare commented I ride in two modes ones as me and one not as me I think she was saying when I just ride and let the analytical side go quiet I ride much better. If I over analyse it isn't beneficial.

Most of today was getting him quicker behind so collect the trot until almost too much then allow.

Pleased with the boy ; pleased with me going to new venue after stress of getting lorry started and holding it all together.

Progress

Windy or what!

Wanted to cancel as blowing a gale but didn't as good to ride in gale with company.

Good lesson Sheena thinks position has improved since I last saw her which is good as it means that riding with Clare is not hindering what I'm trying to achieve with Sheena.

Lesson was in walk/trot and all about turning without pulling head round with inside rein.

Need to think of space behind knees, tree frog spread toes, length down front of legs.

In rising trot sit left more than you think is necessary, when turning left think (not do just think) inside leg back and make it a long tall pillar that C turns around and keeps C upright and over his four feet.

Think C enjoyed doing the pole work.

Sheena is off to ride with Gerd H at Waterstock next month.

Loose ponies interrupt play

So monsoon rain at 09:30 didn't ring Clare to talk about cancelling as figured it would stop by 10:00.

Almost proved wrong but it did stop just in time.

Am back to slipping saddle dunno if it is new half pad/non slip pad (how ironic)/saddle fit/ley lines/whatever

Back to canter circle with collecting/allowing

Clare thinks there is progress in getting us both to release on right rein to help him into left rein we did

10m circle top corner travers long side 10m circle bottom corner then repeat next long side but shoulder in long side.

Do in both trot and canter.

Clare is clearly actively thinking how best to teach me as if I think too much about doing 'stuff' I become inwards focused and don't ride him forwards and also lose the mental connection to Chorrie as am focused on 'stuff' not on riding.

Half way through lesson Al's Murphy got out of his paddock aided by Vesuvius and galloped up and down the track scattering the horses on each side, startling and spooking Chorrie so got off and went to ring Ros to come and fetch naughty pony.

Clare did some inhand with C whilst we got M & V in.

Am allowed when wibbly to use more contact, it won't bother him and I need to nurture my confidence.

Am seeing Clare Sunday at new venue she was worried she was being too hard on me which is ironic as I don't mind constructive criticism/feedback and it wasn't even on my radar she was being tough

Have rearranged work next week so am at yard four mornings which gives me no excuse not to ride.

So there it is my target is to ride Mon,Tues, Thurs and Fri mornings and see how the confidence does.

Life Enhancing Lesson

Just good got off feeling a million dollars :-)

Clare thinks my position is improving since she started teaching me generally my legs are 'longer' and are slowly getting quieter.

We're breaking again slowly our dependency on a tight right inside rein, this will always be hard because 1/ C likes to lean if he can and 2/ it is the arm with the neurological issue so will go tight and dead anyways.

I still go off my seat and need to own the rhythm in trot and not abandon him to find it.

Today we worked on canter with lots of walk breaks whilst we had no rain. Must not drill him in canter

So canter 20m circle collect on top half (only seat no hands), allow on bottom half. Rhythm to stay same.

Then as above but collect and 1/4s in, allow and 1/4s out.

Then counter canter -> walk -> true canter -> counter canter designed to try and get me to JFDI and NOT over analyse, so need to reduce to as few steps of walk as possible and deal with what I get when I've got it.

As I am doing Elementary this year need to get my brain quicker thinking; so need to start now.

JFDI DON'T OVER ANALYSE

I do have some moments of unconscious competence when Clare will say well adjusted but I have no idea what I did want more of those :-)