So our first attempt at leg yield was a total success. OK it won't score an 8, but he moved over at least 2 metres over a distance of 15 metres. Like almost all the horses I have backed before, he has a natural instinct to move off the leg. I need this before he can hack out, because the lanes are so narrow that I have to be able to move him sideways to park up and let cars pass. First little hack by next week, I think. And on top of that, the wind was very, very strong today and he was no more spooky than my 8 year old cob. Since I bought him to replace the spooky 7 year old I sold last autumn, this is exceptionally good news! 'Circles' are still of a variety of 'interesting' shapes, :D, but each time he is ridden I gradually increase the amount of time I say 'no, we go this way, not the way you want to go' and 'yes, I know that corner is a bit scary but we are going to go there', so that he is learning that I'm in charge without there ever being any serious confrontation. It's a great bonus that he's not over reactive to the whip, and I can use it to encourage him to walk out and trot with more conviction. I'm wearing an air jacket just in case, but it really is beginning to feel like I just don't need it.
06-01-2018, 01:03 PM
Spotty Botty gets leg yield.
العرض الشجري