Post by greydales on Sept 17, 2006 8:08:57 GMT -1
Just had a fab couple of days away with Dancer at Arrow Equestrian in Herefordshire, with Peter Maddison Greenwell. I've been waiting to have a lesson from him for years but fate always conspired against me! No pics I'm afraid as Peter does not really like pics of his teaching or his demos on the internet as they can so easily be misinterpreted (and have been).
Basically Peter spent my lessons trying to get Dancer to accept a bit contact without flinging his head and fussing with his mouth. The first lesson was spent in walk and Peter confirmed what I had suspected, that I was allowing too much with my hand and generally allowing Dancer to carry on as he liked! I had to keep a steady contact at all times with my outside hand, which I had to keep touching on the saddle so I didn't move it. He said the outside rein is mine, the inside is Dancer's! In practise it was not as easy as it sounds as with Dancer's incessant head flinging my hands crept forwards at times
but eventually Dancer's head was more down than up.
Next lesson was entirely in trot and the same applied, he said that as soon as Dancer gave his head then I was to allow with the hands but not TOO much! As soon as there was any suggestion of head raising then I was to anticipate this and get him back before the head got up (again easier said than done!). I was pouring with sweat after the lesson having spent nearly an hour in trot
but not a drop on Dancer
It also highlighted how very uneven and wonky I am as I found everything so much more difficult on the right rein, my right shoulder tends to come forwards and my right heel lifts (40 years of bad habits :
. I was stiff and awkward and he said to turn around and rest my right hand on Dancer's quarters, and walk around like this for a while - then gradually drop my arm to my side keeping the feeling and take hold of the reins again - without reverting to my old position. It is no wonder that I tend to get the wrong canter lead on the right rein and the horses feel unyeilding!
He said that although Dancer does go behind the vertical it is preferable to having his head flung up, back hollow and nose poked and I just have to keep on working in this way to get him to seek the bit contact and hopefully stretch his head out and down. I may not resolve the bit fussing as Dancer is now 14 and the habit is probably ingrained, but a drop or flash noseband may help which I'm going to try next.
On Friday evening Peter gave a fab demo at Bromyard Equestrian Centre with his Spanish stallions, and the garrocha pole (basically bullfighting moves). He also displayed how he teaches his horses from the basics up and incorporates all the lateral work. He makes it look so effortless and easy
Lesley turned up on Saturday to help out as my personal assistant (thanks Lesley I hope you got home okay! ;D).
I am now inspired to get myself some regular lessons at Arrow with Sue the proprietor as she is a very good classical rider, and with Peter whenever I can get them! ;D
Basically Peter spent my lessons trying to get Dancer to accept a bit contact without flinging his head and fussing with his mouth. The first lesson was spent in walk and Peter confirmed what I had suspected, that I was allowing too much with my hand and generally allowing Dancer to carry on as he liked! I had to keep a steady contact at all times with my outside hand, which I had to keep touching on the saddle so I didn't move it. He said the outside rein is mine, the inside is Dancer's! In practise it was not as easy as it sounds as with Dancer's incessant head flinging my hands crept forwards at times
but eventually Dancer's head was more down than up.Next lesson was entirely in trot and the same applied, he said that as soon as Dancer gave his head then I was to allow with the hands but not TOO much! As soon as there was any suggestion of head raising then I was to anticipate this and get him back before the head got up (again easier said than done!). I was pouring with sweat after the lesson having spent nearly an hour in trot
but not a drop on Dancer It also highlighted how very uneven and wonky I am as I found everything so much more difficult on the right rein, my right shoulder tends to come forwards and my right heel lifts (40 years of bad habits :
. I was stiff and awkward and he said to turn around and rest my right hand on Dancer's quarters, and walk around like this for a while - then gradually drop my arm to my side keeping the feeling and take hold of the reins again - without reverting to my old position. It is no wonder that I tend to get the wrong canter lead on the right rein and the horses feel unyeilding!He said that although Dancer does go behind the vertical it is preferable to having his head flung up, back hollow and nose poked and I just have to keep on working in this way to get him to seek the bit contact and hopefully stretch his head out and down. I may not resolve the bit fussing as Dancer is now 14 and the habit is probably ingrained, but a drop or flash noseband may help which I'm going to try next.
On Friday evening Peter gave a fab demo at Bromyard Equestrian Centre with his Spanish stallions, and the garrocha pole (basically bullfighting moves). He also displayed how he teaches his horses from the basics up and incorporates all the lateral work. He makes it look so effortless and easy
Lesley turned up on Saturday to help out as my personal assistant (thanks Lesley I hope you got home okay! ;D).
I am now inspired to get myself some regular lessons at Arrow with Sue the proprietor as she is a very good classical rider, and with Peter whenever I can get them! ;D
