Mixing it up …

For me, this has been a year of re-evaluation; of getting rid of certain things, doubling down on others, and starting some new things from scratch.

So, where, in all this, does riding fit? Where does riding, which is no small commitment, fit into a life brimming with work and family responsibilities. With my rekindled desire to run long distances quickly – and put in the training needed to do so – and with my sons’ increasingly full schedules (which I want to support – I’m glad to see them involved and busy).

Where, especially, does riding fit into all this if – for many, many reasons – it’s gone a little “flat,” for me?

I’ve been thinking about this for a long, long time. I’ve been weighing pros and cons. I’ve been trying to think differently – how can I still be a horseperson, more importantly, how can I still see Martin, the horse love of my life – if I’m not riding?

Well, first of all, I’m so lucky to have a couple of great people on my side:

1) Martin’s “mom,” Chloe, who when I asked, “How would you feel if I didn’t ride him but I did other stuff with him?” said “Sure, whatever makes you both happy!” Thanks Chloe.

2) My great, smart, savvy, flexible instructor, Steph, who when I asked “Could I do groundwork lessons with you instead of riding lessons?” said, “Sounds cool!” and worked with me to pick a time.

We started yesterday and it was great. It was everything I wanted it to be.

We went right back to basics in a way I really never have before. I mean, sure, as a kid I was taught how to lead a horse, but that was it. We all know how to lead horses, and most of us are immediately lazy and don’t do it exactly the way we’re supposed to. And that’s mostly OK, but it’s amazing what you can get out of proper groundwork.

Leading properly is quite a lot like riding properly. Constant checks are needed – is he moving forward? Is he respecting my space? Where is his head? Are our shoulders lined up? (we need to work on that one!).

And working on the ground with the horse really gets you in tune with their body language. I know he’s going to move before he moves. And I even know why he moves. It’s because of my body language, which I then need to work on.

Groundwork also allows you to really see a horse learning. This is where you begin to fully understand just how smart they are, and how capable they are of picking things up quickly, as long as they’re taught with patience and consistency.

It’s also a great reminder of why doing things right is important. It’s one thing to let a horse bulge his shoulder when you’re on his back. It’s another thing when you – as a small human being – are standing beside that shoulder. Not cool.

Steph started by working Martin and I through individual pieces. Walking on. Halting. Trotting. Moving over. Then she set us a course (just like riding!).

And the cool thing is, I have video!

First clip – us walking. You can see I still need to work a bit more on keeping my shoulder beside his, and my legs walking with his front legs. But I like his forward walk, and at this point he was extremely responsive compared to when we started and would move off from a halt for me with just a cluck.

http://tudorrobins.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Video1-Walk-Left-Rein-2.mp4

 

The second clip shows me taking him to a trot. I’m proud of this one because I resisted the temptation to run ahead and drag him into a trot. I waited until he stepped forward.

http://tudorrobins.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Video2-Trot-Transition.mp4

 

Finally, you can see him moving over from me. This was actually one of the easiest things for him. He had trouble standing still at first. He really wanted to follow me wherever I went. But once he figured out I had to be able to walk around him, and he had to stand still, he was only too happy to step sideways for me when I asked.

http://tudorrobins.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Video3-Halt-and-Over.mp4

 

I was really pleased with our progress in just one session. I learned so much, and I think Martin learned lots too. And, of course, there’s lots of scope for practice to take out of this lesson.

You know, I guess my final observation about groundwork is it truly illustrates what a willing animal a horse is. You just have to look at these videos to see how big Martin is and – even though I’m pretty tall – how small I look next to him. I have him out in nothing but a halter and lead rope and he’s listening to me.

Why? Because he wants to. Because he’s willing, and he likes to please.

They’re lovely traits and I think they’re some of the greatest gifts horses give us.

I’d love to hear your experience with incorporating work other than riding into your work with your horse!