Thank you! Yes, we're "newish" to each other, just a little over a year now, and a year with our trainer. B (horse) is a terrific schoolmaster, and I cannot overstate the benefits of riding a schoolmaster. He's not very generous but if I'm correct, he gives me what I ask for. He has a big, strong neck and big, strong shoulders, and knows how to use them to brace against me. I have to talk him into giving, and that's been a real education. Once he's there, I have to keep the conversation going. No zoning out for Kathy!
This is the first horse I've owned that isn't a "kick ride," so that's been quite a learning curve for me. His tendency is to get "amped" at the trot and want to power around. We've fixed that, for the most part, by simply slowly spiraling in and leg yielding out on the 20m circle. He understood that right away, and now needs only the occasional reminder. He does accept the leg well now that I'm learning to use it properly.
I had struggled to ride 2nd level on my previous horse, a game-for-anything but very short-backed guy. We were learning together. I wouldn't call it green on green, but more like the blind leading the blind with very good help of my (then) trainer. We did get from "I don't know how to canter and even if I do I don't want to and I never will" to just starting to learn the flying change, but his very short back made lateral work a struggle.
The most important thing I'm learning is to feel what's happening under me. Is his right shoulder dropping (probably
), is his hind end following his front, are his footfalls even, is the tempo staying constant?
In addition to the dressage work, once a week we are working with a super H/J trainer who understands dressage. B has taken to it like a duck to water. We are having a lot of fun, but also learning a ton. We haven't actually jumped yet, but we have progressed to cantering little courses of poles on the ground. I would say the most important takeaways so far are 1) I can let go and he will maintain a lovely canter and not fall on his face, and 2) riding straight lines without long legs and a firm bum in the saddle is HARD.
All in all, I am so very happy with this horse. In addition to being a fun, challenging ride, he has a great personality and is a happy guy.
