PK Experiment, week 2

Alright,

So this week started off REALLY WELL.

We did three rides where all we did was flexion right and flexion left at walk, followed by counter-flexed circles with exact sizes (i.e. no loopy, egg-shaped ovals). We also finally completed our first successful counter-bend in high neck position circle at trot. With these figure of 8s (whereby the first half of the figure is counter bent and the second half of the figure is in correct bend with lengthened neck and stride), his trot improved greatly and had much more suspension, rhythm and elasticity. His stride has gotten much longer, clearer, and he is carrying himself in a much lighter frame (demi-arrets on a regular basis at the beginning of work and in counter-bend is still present). He is responding much better to the whip (a short crop used on his shoulder) and this light poking action of the whip at his shoulder seems to be more than enough for corrective purposes.

The end of my week hasn't gone so well. Mr. Horse tripped, fell, and flipped himself over during turn-out and pulled quite a few of his poor back muscles, so it may be a few days before we get under to under saddle work again. (poo). On a positive, the work in-hand presented by PK is relatively non-streneous and I will be continuing with flexions, action-reaction, bend and suppleness of the jaw and poll daily until he is ready to return to work.

Until next time!

-Dressage Person