...and redeems himself. I should know this by now, considering how many greenies I've broken under saddle, but Oliver really needs to be ridden very consistenly, at least three times a week, preferably 4-5. I guess I've been so wrapped up with school that I've neglected his training. Now that Sam is on holiday, I can focus on Oliver, or "Ollie", as he's growing on me more and more every day.
The last two rides I've longed him, once in the Pessoa and once in the chambon/de Gogue, in an effort to get him stretching more through the back and into the bit. It seems to have paid off, as he's more willing to take an honest contact with the bit. I also have found a bit that he likes - a french link full cheek. He doesn't fight the bit nearly as much as he did the other ones, and I have brakes, and he's willing to push into the bit more. I've found that if I keep my hands very low and wide, and do a walk transition the minute he charges off in trot and throws himself off balance, he's steadier in his paces and in the bridle. I didn't canter today, but we did canter in between jumps, and his canter is getting much rounder and better. I've really got to keep a hold of that outside rein and concentrate on keeping him straight, and half-halting on it when he starts to lose his balance and rush.
We trotted up to a little crossrail and he stopped, surprised. I think it's because he hasn't jumped anything in three weeks, so I turned him the other way, booted him in the ribs (I had dropped my whip; more on that later) and turned him back around over it. He jumped it willingly the second time, albeit a bit large and boundy, and we trotted over it a few times until he stopped jumping like a deer, with me really concentrating on keeping my hands low and pushing them forward to release him over the jump. We trotted over some of the other jumps in the arena - planks, white gates, etc. and he didn't stop at a thing. I was so proud. Then, I trotted him over the two trot poles to a crossrail - there were legs flying everywhere, but he didn't stop! - and cantered on down over the little NSE plank, which he jumped beautifully. I remembered to sit up and half-halt on the stride after landing, and then allow him to float to the jump, which he took out of stride. Oliver is much calmer about jumping when I don't hold him to the fence (duh). I had dropped my whip because I had this idea that maybe he was starting to rush his fences because he was getting nervous, and there is no point in hitting a horse when he's scared, so I dropped my whip. If he stopped, oh well. Lots of success builds confidence, and I think my tactic today paid off. When he stops, which is rare now, it's not a dirty stop. He did start getting a little excited as we cantered on down over some more jumps, so I called it a day and hosed him down.
He's really starting to develop quite a sweet personality. He luuuuurves to be scratched on the sides of his nose, and will stand there all day long if you oblige. He also is the first to nicker and then come up to me in the pasture, which I have always missed after Miss Ellie had been sold. I have high hopes for the little red monster, and I think he might be "The One" for me after Sam has retired and gone to his place as Joe's pasture puff/trail horse.
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