Pacha - may 20, 2011

For the last three weeks, Pacha has recovered a much better behaviour in mounted sessions. Without losing anything of his impulsion, he is back to orders, listening to me. I spend at least 20' at walk, long neck with light contact (never losing it completely though). He walks at a good pace; straight on the track, concentrated and not distracted by unusual objects or colours. I still have the draw reins, but I use them only on his right mouth corner,  with soft, gentle vibrations when I feel a beginning of stiffness, and only for a glimpse of time. It is quite nice to sit on him, walking a good walk, without deviations from shoulders or quarters, going to the far end of corners, no lower lip flapping. I enjoy watching his lovely grey and silver mane shining in front of me on his long, relaxed neck. Halts, reining backs and LY are interspersed as appropriate, i.e. when I feel he is ready to give them freely and should I say happily. The great thing is that the same happens at trot: regular cadence, straight trajectory, steady head carriage. Transitions from and to walk are easy and fluid. LY become better and better, and bouncing on the external leg into HP can be done successfully, again when I feel that he is ready for it. Baucher was so right in advising:that position must precede action.If position is ok, action is easy and resulting movement is good.Canter improvements are consolidated, and heating up is now behind us. All this of course assuming very light aids, and subtle use of spurs, only for rectifying a disruption in cadence that could otherwise lead into restlessness and gait disorders.
The challenge for now is transitions from canter to trot. Currently they are too bumpy, with attempt to raise the head and hollow the back. He does them fine on the lunge, so it is my fault if he does not do them well when mounted. A good food for thought over the coming weeks.