This week I worked Rio on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday we added cantering to our longe routine for the first time. She did fine picking up her gait but didn't really get the idea that she can do a slow lope and took off at a full out gallop. She also didn't go in a circle too well and was just trying to run off and play. Thursday was way better. She picked up her gait fine and traveled in a circle with my help. (I have to run in a circle with her just until she gets used to balancing in a circle at a canter.) She was still going really fast but got into a rhythm and started slowing down. Since I have added cantering to her routine I have made her routine a little bit shorter so she doesn't get too tired. Here is what our longeing routine looks like now.
5 min. Warm up. Walk. 2.5 min in each direction.
5 min. Trotting. 2.5 min in each direction.
2 min. Canter. 1 min in each direction.
5 min. Trotting. 2.5 min in each direction.
5 min. Cool down. Walk. 2.5 min in each direction.
As time goes on I am going to increase her cantering until she does 5 min of canter. Its too much to start with though. I just need her to get used to the rhythm and keeping calm. As she understands that we can start going longer.
Today I am planning on going to the tack shop to buy some things fed her. Here's what I hope to get.
1 full set of splint boots. I'm tired of taking forever to put her polo wraps on. Besides, splint boots will offer more protections anyways. I have the money saved up finally so I'm really exited to get those! If I get Professionals Choice brand I might be able to get glitter ones. :) I will have to see what they have though. We have a great local tack shop that sells consignment tack so I can get things way cheaper than original price that are practically new.
New longe whip. I lost my last one and I have been borrowing one lately. Its about time I go out and get my own again.
2 flat longe lines. I have a longe line right now that is thick and round like a lead rope. It has been great for working with her because it is stretchy and doesn't give rope burn very easily. However, it doesn't fit through the rings on her surcingle and its only one. I want to get two of the regular flat ones so I can start longeing her with two longe lines so she gets used to the function of the reins. I can also control her collection better with each gait while watching her from the ground instead of waiting until I am riding her. I am also planning to start long-lining her soon which I will need them for.
For those of you who do not know what long-lining is here is a quick explanation. Long-lining involves walking behind a horse with two "long-lines" attached to the horses bit. Doing this, you can teach a horse to walk, trot, turn, and stop using rein aids before you ride them. I love doing this, because the more a horse knows what you want before you ride it the less stressed it will be when you do ride it.
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