11/23/08 A dressage lesson on Thistle

Thistle was visiting for a few days, so I thought I'd get a lesson in on him. It's been quite a while since I've ridden him, and there are some differences. He's quite a bit stouter and as we worked through our lesson, I got to feel the loft of his trot and the softness that he's capable of.

First trying to get a feel for how round he is.

 

That leg kicking back to his belly was a running theme that my trainer tried to correct. I think I was chanelling my jumping saddle.

I expected a bit of bracing and pulling.

 

My trainer first wanted forward.

He started thinking about softening to the bit. I was still not doing well with my legs....

 

I guess I'd rather leaning than hollow.

We're already comfortable with how the house looks from the pasture.

 

There's a long time between foot falls at the trot. It's an interesting feeling.

When he'd start to get behind the bit I had to push him forward more.

 

I was surprised that he'd give me the canter.

Quite balanced and dressagy for a horse who's hunted his entire life.

 

My hips were sore after all this. They're not used to the dressage saddle or a horse this wide.

We were both tired after the lesson.  I rode two more horses and Thistle went back to the kennels.