tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15095013.post4676158226755086092..comments2008-11-05T17:26:51.656-05:00Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11248012197291099658deanna@deannacastro.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15095013.post-65069115781971928932008-11-05T17:26:00.000-05:002008-11-05T17:26:00.000-05:00Wow thanks Phil, I think that is the best complement ever!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the link on Twitter too:)<BR/><BR/>DeannaDeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11248012197291099658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15095013.post-13952528643414619182008-11-04T23:43:00.000-05:002008-11-04T23:43:00.000-05:00"I used to watch my instructor demonstrate, and then as I would ride <I>I would visualize her and emulate.</I>"<BR/><BR/>That's about the most insightful sentence I've ever seen written about teaching horseriding. It's not about 'copying' but about getting into the feel. Visualizing and emulating are such perfect descriptions.Philhttp://horseproblems.horsetrainingsuccess.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15095013.post-62146851256514541212008-11-04T21:43:00.000-05:002008-11-04T21:43:00.000-05:00Hi Lorrie,<BR/><BR/>Well, basically what you do is play around until you find the spot that the horse drops their head. When they put their head in the desired position you give a small release. The release is the key, it tells the horse that they are where you want them to be. <BR/><BR/>At the trot I don't ever really totally release all contact with my hands as I do at the other gaits. The reason being is that I want to drive the horse forward with my legs into the bit. The impulsion goes from my legs through the horse and into my hands. If I release totally the horse usually will end up nosing out (sticking their nose out) and get sloppy. When the horse is where you want her, that is when you really lighten up on the amount of pressure in your hands through release. <BR/><BR/> I usually hold a horse with about a half a pound of pressure (with my hands) when they are where I want them, but maybe I will use two pounds of pressure when the horse is not collected. Does that make sense?<BR/><BR/>It's all about working the legs and hands independently to do one job. Push with the legs, hold and balance the horse with the hands. <BR/><BR/>Once you play with it and practice a couple of hundred times it gets easier I promise! Just do it over and over and watch the horse's head. When it is in position, release..<BR/><BR/>I hope that helps!<BR/><BR/>DeannaDeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11248012197291099658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15095013.post-73127411206489474692008-11-04T16:11:00.000-05:002008-11-04T16:11:00.000-05:00Deanna I am wanting to get my horse to collect her head like yours does in the trot. How do I do that?<BR/><BR/>Cheers LorrieLorriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068377294881714176noreply@blogger.com