October 16, 2014
Today we worked on two fundamentals of riding: track and pace.
If we were on the rail, we had to stay 6 feet off it at all times. And as for pace, 4mi/hr for a working walk, 8mi/hr for a working trot, and 12mi/hr for a working canter.
It was a lot more to think about it but it was definitely food for thought, as I’ve never really considered the math of it. It’s always been what feels like is a good distance from the rail, or whether I feel like my paces are working (as in not too collected or extended).
We also worked on accuracy – stopping right next to a cone, or picking up the canter at a certain jump standard, being as accurate as possible. Then trotting into jumps (making sure we rode to the middle of the jump), and cantering away (straight).
We also did a bit about aids: how to ask for a good halt, how to ask our horses to canter, and how to ask for extension etc.
It wasn’t the easiest lesson but it definitely taught me a lot. But hay, that’s what lessons are for. Until next time!