Below is a video of my daughter working Oberon on "cutbacks". When we fist started this, we were so "gangly" with the stick and string, our cues and the rope. We have much improved and will soon add a longer rope to the equation.
Your daughter and Oberon are very cute together. Oberon looks like a nice guy and a good teacher.
The horses at my farm are trained to stop and turn as demonstrated in your video. Many of them will stop and turn at liberty, including Harley. Smart little guy, although he does have his preferred direction (the right). However, I do not really practice this exercise with him anymore, at my trainer's request. We practice a different style of lungeing, but each have their place and purpose.
Val, I'm not sure if you will get back here to read this, but why did the trainer ask you to stop? Did the cues conflict with one another? I know everyone has their way of doing things, and that's OK. I am just curious. :)
My teacher does not favor the disengage exercise, because she feels that it could be damaging to the lower back when practiced frequently or at speed. I have seen it practiced much more quickly and abruptly than in your blog video, which looks very gentle and mellow (that is good!).
Also, we are teaching my horse to tune into his hindend as much as possible and keep his shoulders in front of his "engine". Asking him to disengage conflicts with my requests for him to support himself from behind. It took a while to reteach him to halt straight, after he learned to disengage. I know that many people use this technique, and even my own barn friends have not adopted my philosophy, but I trust my teacher and have observed improvement in Harley's posture on the line since we switched gears.
Thanks, Val! My little guy is a cutting/reigning horse and I think that the movement required from him is different than in some dressage moves. Now, that isn't to say we won't "play" with dressage a bit with him... we just won't ever be showing.
Your daughter and Oberon are very cute together. Oberon looks like a nice guy and a good teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe horses at my farm are trained to stop and turn as demonstrated in your video. Many of them will stop and turn at liberty, including Harley. Smart little guy, although he does have his preferred direction (the right). However, I do not really practice this exercise with him anymore, at my trainer's request. We practice a different style of lungeing, but each have their place and purpose.
Thanks for sharing!
Val, I'm not sure if you will get back here to read this, but why did the trainer ask you to stop? Did the cues conflict with one another? I know everyone has their way of doing things, and that's OK. I am just curious. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret-
ReplyDeleteI am happy to explain at your request.
My teacher does not favor the disengage exercise, because she feels that it could be damaging to the lower back when practiced frequently or at speed. I have seen it practiced much more quickly and abruptly than in your blog video, which looks very gentle and mellow (that is good!).
Also, we are teaching my horse to tune into his hindend as much as possible and keep his shoulders in front of his "engine". Asking him to disengage conflicts with my requests for him to support himself from behind. It took a while to reteach him to halt straight, after he learned to disengage. I know that many people use this technique, and even my own barn friends have not adopted my philosophy, but I trust my teacher and have observed improvement in Harley's posture on the line since we switched gears.
~Val
Thanks, Val! My little guy is a cutting/reigning horse and I think that the movement required from him is different than in some dressage moves. Now, that isn't to say we won't "play" with dressage a bit with him... we just won't ever be showing.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your taking the time to explain! :)