About the canter that we aren't talking about. These vids were taken about 2 weeks ago, and I'm posting them so I will remember (in 6 months) how far we've come from the disaster we started with.
You're going to watch them and go "oh, that's not so bad" but I assure you, what you see on video and what you feel underneath you are not the same thing. Left lead isn't too bad (except the part where he pops his right shoulder out and falls to the outside like we're doing a canter leg yield). We even have a few moments of balanced brilliance where he's not careening and/or ripping my arms out of their sockets.
But the right lead, he literally cannot pick it up without
Truly cringeworthy.
I have shown Paddington this video of Starwars TOF, a Haffie doing Grand Prix dressage, and told him that he needs to envision this guy when we work on canter.
Drooool. Maybe someday, in a galaxy far, far away...
I am so in love with this horse and all of his amazement! And he looks like he is having fun doing all this.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about him, I have seen photos of him on trail rides and crossing water. He is just amazing!
I want Paddington to be like him when he grows up!
DeleteHaffies ftw!
ReplyDeletePaddington agrees.
DeleteInstall a nice, big, flat screen monitor in the barn, and play this (and other tests) on a loop. And then - stay with the program?
ReplyDeleteWorld Cup 2020. I'll groom for you.
If you do nice braids, you're on for 2020!
DeleteYou will get there! Just like you said, it doesn't look nearly as bad as it feels.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look TOO bad, but it sure feels like a train wreck!
DeleteOMG that haffie is so ridiculously cute! And so is Paddy! As he gets stronger, the canter will get so much better, can't wait to see what him in 6 months looks like :)
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself that in 6 months this canter will all be a bad memory. And yes, all haffies are ridiculously cute. I think it's part of the breed standard?
DeleteI can't see the videos of Paddy on my tablet, so I will just have to use my imagination. The haffie that I used to ride could get out of control at the canter. I had the toughest time keeping him on a circle and my trainers advice and yelling were not helpful. Knowing what I know now, he was not connected over his back and needed to improve this at the trot first. My haffie was good at pretending to be on the bit. He could do that because he had a very short back and naturally arched neck.
ReplyDeleteThe FEI haffie is awesome. Especially his canter. He rocked those pirouettes and flying changes and seemed to enjoy them.
Paddy can definitely get out of control at the canter, precisely because he's not connected over his back. We have diligently been working on improving his trot under saddle, and his canter on the longe line, especially transitions. He's getting better day by day, but there are only so many hours you can ride them in a week, lol! And yes, the naturally short back and arched neck are quite good for faking connection, but I find it pretty easy to feel when his back is up under me and when it is not. We are just trying for more and more!
DeleteYup. Doesn't look bad, but I understand it feeling bad. I'm always shocked at seeing footage of Ponch. It's like, hey! We don't totally suck after all!
ReplyDeleteDoes he get brownie points for cuteness?
All horses with adorably tiny fuzzy ears get points for cuteness. I'm pretty sure that's just the way of things!
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