Clinic and Success!

MEGAN: Well, my morning began with scrubbing bird poop off the ledges of the arena. Great way to start the day, huh? After that I took care of Simba and audited the Michael Poulin Clinic for about 2 hours. He had a lot of insight and I picked up some interesting things:
*Instead of moving the neck side to side to loosen the jaw, jiggle the reins with tension
*Know the Training Scale like your own body- it will speed up your learning process.
*With a horse really resistant to going forward, use 2 whips on the shoulder. Very helpful for Nexus and Mica.
*Half halts should be given in rhythm- if not, they only upset the horse’s balance.
*Praise often!! (“I have never seen a horse die from being praised too much…”)
*With a horse who threw his head up in the air to evade the bit, it was helpful to use a running martingale to help him ‘train himself’.
After watching Nexus and Mica I rode Simba- who went forward! I am very happy. We still have a lot to work on, but at least we are getting somewhere. After a short, but very hot ride, I let Simba graze for about 10 minutes, and then ended up scooping lunch in Mica’s barn and in the Main barn. I then rode Atticus out in the field in a slight bit of rain- I think that we have had rain every day since I have been here!! But, running in the rain or in the nice, cool weather after the rain has been great. After putting Atticus away I checked my email for the second time since arriving, due to technological difficulties. I then helped feed in Mica’s barn and settled Simba for the night. Mica took me home and it began to pour. So, I made biscuits and baked ziti and am now hoping for the rain to stop so I can go run. I did a 3 mile tempo workout yesterday and was planning on 50 minutes today (about 7 miles). I don’t mind the rain, but it has to stop storming!! So, I have to send a check for the Windy Hollow Hunt show tomorrow, and get my other entries in as well. I have done next to nothing as far as schoolwork goes- I simply have not had time! Now, I am taking notes on the first 30 pages of the YDF (Youth Dressage Festival) book Principles of Riding. Hopefully I can get that done tonight so I can read on. Well, I am off to see if the rain has lessened. I’ll get back to you later!

SIMBA: She may actually be getting it. As much as I would enjoy our rides if Mom never figured out how to get me forward, I think I may be teaching her something. She was very careful about when her legs were on, and did pretty well keeping her heel down and spur off. Keeping her forearms relaxed allowed the forward energy in my haunches to travel up through my back and propel myself forward. In speaking of today in terms other than the ride, there were lots of different horses in and out all day. I got to talk to some pretty cool guys- and pretty girls. One even gave me her horseshoe as a calling card. Don’t tell Mom, but I am calling her up tonight!! Better go get ready- lucky mom gave me a mint before she left!