I got Jackson out today for about an hour. I
decided to ride Jackson in a bit. I know
that you guys aren’t big on bits. However, I
am trying to get ready for a competition and
I am finding out that a bosal isn’t enough,
so until I can afford a nice BB like the
ones that Josepha sells, I will ride
sometimes with a bit. He hasn’t had a bit in
his mouth in about a year. He didn’t want to
yield to it right away, but with a little
endotapping and relaxation, he did better.
I had finished watching all of JP’s new
videos online. (www.Equus-Academy.com) There
was so much good stuff! I worked a little at
the walk, tapping in rhythm, working on
getting collection and extension. He did
really well at the extensions except when he
wanted to break to the trot. I did tap and
press to help slow him down.
I then did some of the trot work. The
pastures are really soft and muddy now, so I
want to be careful. I worked him first on a
circle, posting with the outside diagonal
and tapping as the inside flank as the
outside front leg came forward. This did
slow him down and help him round. It really
is a magic stick!
Then I asked him to go straight while I
posted on the other diagonal and tapped in
time with the (previously) inside front leg.
He did extend the trot right out, but he
broke into the canter.
I was very happy with how that went. I think
that we need to work on more round, but I am
not sure. Maybe I can get a video in the
next couple of days and you guys can
critique it.
