An Overview of the Year's Learning

Looking back is part of looking forward.

Training is cyclical. How often have we heard that? How often do we, as riders, have to be reminded of that?

Over the last year, I've dealt with a multitude of physical and emotional training issues. Some related to my horse's age, and some to his personality. Resolving each issue took a comprehensive look at how our training at developed to that point, where we wanted to go, and what approaches had worked in the past.

Strengthen that stifle!

At the start of the year, we were working on developing Pig's confidence. He was struggling after dealing with significant arthritis and fitness challenges following the layup for his broken splint bone. The pain and instability of the stifle joints broke his trust in his own ability, and led him to act up defensively under saddle. With steroid joint injections, estrone injections, careful strength building work, and a low pressure approach to more advanced work, he started to blossom just in time for our spring show season.

Staying relaxed and happy in the first show of the year.
Photo by PICSOFYOU.COM

Early summer saw me start to put on the pressure again. We started schooling a lot of counter canter work, and shifting his balance further and further back. The low and round confidence building work of the early part of the year went by the wayside as we worked on developing half steps and a canter suitable for 4th level.

All that pressure came to a head in the late summer, when Pig's stress levels began to become unmanageable. I took a look at our intense schooling schedule, and realized we were due for a bit of a break. I backed off the pressure considerably, taking more hacks and working on building our relationship back. An August clinic with Stephen left me with a plan to return to lower and rounder work again, improving Pig's confidence and strength.

Lower and rounder, all the time.

With relaxation once more accessible, I again put on the training pressure. We showed in early September, displaying some of our best work (though not best scores) yet. Through relaxation, we were able to turn in good work for the level. I began thinking about pushing the training envelope again, this time aiming to work on the multiple changes needed for 4-1.

So. Uh. Not these.
Photo courtesy of Jan's husband.

Keeping an eye towards the relaxation work which had helped us, I tried to ensure we continued to work in plenty of confidence building sessions. I only worked high pressure one day a week, the rest of the rides focused on the basics of connection and throughness. We began to steadily improve, but the collection work was hitting a snag.

But that relaxation, tho.
Photo by Redline Photography

Another ride with Stephen in October pointed out a misunderstanding in my training when it came to support and outside aids in turning. Stephen pointed out Pig's need to be more responsible for his own balance. We worked on turning off the inside aids, and fluctuating the amount of support I would offer. The immediate result was a drunk looking horse, sullen from lack of direction. As we worked forward, I began to be able to improve the balance without having to feel like I was holding the whole horse together. Unfortunately, at that point Pig's old age reared it's ugly head with more force.

Pig demonstrating "force" with Stephen aboard.

Pushing Pig for more collection was starting to be greeted with disobedience. It was clear his stifle was paining him again, and he began slipping more in regular work. His fitness was good, but it was time for injections or pain relief again. I put him on Previcox and we kept pushing. The disobedience continued.

At Thanksgiving, I had Pig's stifle injected again. He seemed more comfortable immediately, but his defensive reactions continued. I began to brainstorm…

Outthinking the stressed out thoroughbred is tough business.

Putting his head down relaxed him, and unlocked his back. However, he could only shift his balance back so far with his neck so round. Remembering a tidbit from a clinic I had audited early in the year, I decided to try lifting his head and neck when asking for collection. To avoid stressing Pig with the change in frame, I would lift his frame and immediately ask for collection. Then I would lower the frame to keep him relaxed. We would repeat this process until we found a place where his frame could be lifted and he could step under himself further. Alternating between raising and lowering the frame helped keep Pig's shoulders lifted, too. A pleasant byproduct.

Lift those shoulders!
Photo by Redline Photography

This work has been going on for a short time now, with good results. I'm sure this approach won't work forever, but it's a new tool coming from a hybrid of approaches that have worked for us in the path. I am excited to see where it leads! Maybe we might make it to 4th level after all!

What training concepts made the rounds in your program last year?