My name is Kelsey, and I am an aspiring Region 6 Young Rider. My horse is a 12 year old OTTB (Off the Track Thoroughbred) named Montague. Monty and I first came together when I was 12 years old and he was 4, and we have been partners ever since.
Perfect practice makes…perfect?
After my ride with Rebecca on Friday, I used the weekend to jump start our work on the tempi changes and the pirouettes!
Monty felt super on Saturday and so I made his work pretty easy for him. After warming up I went into some pirouette work, and I have to say that after only one day of serious work on them, we were doing pretty well. The main problem is of course, me, because once I provide him with the correct aids, he is more than happy to comply! Our ride only lasted about 30 minutes, but I am a firm believer that you shouldn’t have to ride an hour every time you are on your horse. Make your work correct, consistent, and fair and save your horses legs - they only have so many hours of extensions and collected work to give.
Sunday focused more on our 4 tempis. My counting was definitely a bit off that day and so I can’t blame Monty for his confusion. We had a few successful lines of changes, although not all with the proper striding, and so I called it a day. We finished up with some trot work, and easy zig-zags with the half-passes. I have to be careful not to ask for too much haunches, because I can easily confuse him and end up bending him into a pretzel, which isn’t the best idea! We also went for a walk around the property to cool out - it seems so much like spring that I am having a hard time convincing myself that it is still winter out!
The only thing that DOES have me convinced is the fact that Monty looks like a molting mutant. Seriously. His coat is rather embarrassing at the moment; parts of it are starting to shed but since he has had 3 (yes, THREE) body clips this winter, only tufts are shedding and he has colored splotches forming. Apparently no one informed him that Thoroughbreds aren’t supposed to grow hair, and the “look” that he has going on right now is very unique!
This week is “dead week,” otherwise known as the week before finals! I have too many things to do and not enough time, but I will be out to ride later tonight and will tuck Monty in so that he can survive the forewarned snow flurries!
Tip of the day: Always try to incorporate a variety of activities in your horses work, and remember that when something goes wrong or isn’t working out, always look to your body and your aids first.
