Yesterday a friend gave me a reality check. Turns out I’ve been inadvertently exaggerating my issues with Hemie; namely, by using the “R” word (rear), when what we’ve been experiencing is better described as getting stuck/nappiness/stalling out/bouncing around/resistance to moving forward/getting light up front. Not actual Black-Stallion-style rearing. For whatever reason, in my head it became bigger than it was. Maybe because it *felt* so dangerous? Anyways, sorry about that.
Moving on, Monday night Hemie got a longe and bit-up and practice ride. As you know, I’m a master leather worker/cheapskate so I decided to make a flash from an old bridle’s throat-latch and add it to our longing bridle.
Hemie was a good sport about it, and salivated more with this bit than normal. Our ride was so-so. It took a while to get our groove. The words of Denny Emerson (“negotiating aids“) and Dr. Christian Schacht (“you’re dancing, not fighting“) floated into my head throughout the ride, which I think is a good sign.
I’ve been constantly checking on saddle fit and evenness over the last few weeks. I’ve decided I’m going to get my jump saddle re-fitted/adjusted, but I think my dressage saddle is just fine.
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| Saddle fit and evenness check. |
Hoping the rest of our rides this week go great since we’ve got the show this weekend! =)
I say anytime the front goes up for some reason other than to jump, its a rear :)
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Agree with Jodi. If the front legs go up and the hind legs stay down, I call that a rear!
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agree ^
just maybe a baby rear lol
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I call them bunny hops or baby rears, haha!
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Regardless of what you call it, light in front isn't fun if you didn't mean for it to happen.
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I remember that I thought Sam was totally bucking me (and scared me) a few times that were caught on video… the playback showed they were humps that barely left the ground. Go figure. :/
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Like everyone else even a baby rear is a rear; it probably seems bigger when you are riding him. What a creative way to use an old throatlatch.
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