Falling Out

A sunny day, a lesson with Anna, we work outside on the sand menage.

On the left rein Princess falls out. I keep the neck straight, and correct her with my outside (right) leg. "Feel like you're correcting the shoulders" advises Anna. "Move the shoulders across with your outside leg, keep the quarters in check with your inside leg. It should feel a little bit like you're riding on the right rein." I correct every quarter of a circle. Then every eighth of a circle. We do this in walk, then in trot. Then we make a very small circle in trot, with the odd step of walk thrown in.

Finally we try it in canter - on a large circle.

Falling Out

A sunny day, a lesson with Anna, we work outside on the sand menage. On the left rein Princess falls out. I keep the neck straight, and correct her with my outside (right) leg. "Feel like you're correcting the shoulders" advises Anna. "Move the shoulders across with your outside leg, keep the quarters in check with your inside leg. It should feel a little bit like you're riding on the right rein." I correct every quarter of a circle. Then every eighth of a circle. We do this in walk, then in trot. Then we make a very small circle in trot, with the odd step of walk thrown in.

Finally we try it in canter - on a large circle. I don't know whether I manage to stop the falling out or not. What I do realise is just how hard I am working with my seat and legs. I try to follow Anna's instructions, but I am not sure I am doing a good job, and after a few circles I feel exhausted. Can't say the same for the horse.