Well, Jetta and I finally did a real lesson today with Marleen, my longtime friend and riding instructor. We worked the whole time on just one thing. One VERY important thing. Getting Jetta to bend through her whole body. And we made some fabulous progress!
Jetta has never been asked to bend or flex. She was trained for the track in a running martingale to force her to keep her head down. But the braces in her neck muscles created by the martingale are starting to soften and dissolve. I could really catch a glimpse of what she will eventually be like today. She tries very hard and seems to be thinking about what I'm asking, so I think she'll learn very quickly.
I kept her on a very loose rein but asked her to bring her head around toward my foot while bending and stepping under with that inside hind as I asked with my inside leg. Marleen explained it as basically four corners. One rein to direct each front leg and one of my legs/seat bones for each hind leg. We flexed one side and then immediately went to the other side over and over. By the end of the lesson Jetta was softer and licking and chewing, AND reaching for the contact. She was also stretching forward and down. We got a couple of big releases and processing moments. I cannot tell you how stoked I am about this mare! She is going to be wonderful.
Tomorrow I am taking her out for a trail ride. Sharon plans to ride Keno and Jetta will get to try out the Roller Coaster Hills. I was hoping to have time to ride Flyboy while I was out there, but I'll have to get back for my 3:30 lesson. Keno won't want to miss his little student!
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