Solene - october 17, 2014

We were alone in the large indoor arena. Solene was quiet. We started by a long (15') session at walk. I am impressed so much by a video of Nuno Oliveira ('In His Words') riding a grey at walk, and 'twisting' his horse in a relaxed, apparently improvised way, in a wonderful fluid manner, that I thought a good idea to apply it with Solene. So, we worked shoulder-ins on both leads, yield to the external leg, with external bend, half-pass, pirouette on the haunches and on the shoulders - all this in a loose set of sequences, aiming at taking advantage of the instant rather than sticking to a schedule, looking for relaxing neck, poll and above all mouth. I was pleased with the outcome, since Solene adhered to this sort of play without resistance nor impatience. No more stiffness on shoulder-ins on neither side. Jaws became more mobile, although not yet chewing the bit as one can see on Oliveira's horses. This 'conversation' with the horse is something which I look for with all horses, but which is not easy to get with several and requires time and patience, especially when you are not the only rider of the horse. This is the case with Solene, who is also ridden by a young lady - a good rider, but more interested in 'modern' dressage than me, and hence less haunted by 'legerete'.
A good rest at brisk walk with extended neck and head down on loose reins. Then, after a posting trot energetic and piling up impulsion, we spend the rest of the time working the canter. His canter is good at both leads now, and shows four beats strides no more. After 10' of straight canter with change in speed and circles of various diameters we focussed on counter-canter. He masters it quite well on both leads: we worked the following sequence: starting from walk, strike off on straight canters five strides, walk two strides, strike off counter canter five strides and again. We did this on both rotation rounds on the arena. He never lost his calm, keeping good head carriage and lightness. I was delighted. We ended it there, with a long walk on loose reins, lots of murmured gentle compliments and scratches on the withers, then a good grooming in the stables.