Catalina

I had two great lessons with my mom Carole last week.

I've spent the last year really working on Catalina's mind as she is very sensitive and started out as a 3 year old on the hot side.

Now she is ready to begin building her body muscles up and except more aids for straightening and using her back.

I was given a good classical exercise for her and she is already starting to come through her back better.

In rising trot i turn to the quarter line with my inside rein and leg sending her a bit forward.

I then turn back to the wall with my outside rein and leg toward B or E

When I get back to the wall I begin a 12 meter circle sending her forward with a following inside rein through the circle.

Upon returning to the track I regain my outside rein and go straight.

In direction right since she falls on her right shoulder too much I need to put gentle weight on her right hind leg and then ask her to follow the outside rein (left rein) and enlarge the circle many times.

As she begins to follow the reins better she loosens her middle part of her body and begins to stretch.

Carole said she must use her back to become straight as she is naturally quite crooked.

However i can't stress enough when we are teaching a young horse to use their back the trainer must NEVER force this or force the head of the horse down as this causes at best the horse to go on the forehand and worst to feel pain through the back and top line.

Remember in the end the horse should LOVE to go to the ring and LOVE their work or we have failed in our training.