So Shelley had recently audited a clinic with Cathy Morelli and was reminded of a very important step in teaching a horse collection. While we all strive to ride "inside leg to outside rein" we cannot allow the horse to hog down on the outside rein and use it to lean on, balance himself, etc. And J was doing just that, especially going to the left (so leaning on the right rein).
Shelley was a little late to the lesson, so I had warmed J up prior to her coming in and she was able to hop right on and get to work. First off, Shelley had to get J more responsive and not so slow to the aids- this seems to be the story of my life as J and I tolerate each other, and not in a good way. I know that I have too much "static" going on with my aids and need to be more deliberate when I mean it and not give aids that don't mean anything. Once Shelley reestablished his sensitivity, she started in on the work of getting him truly balanced. She did this by keeping her outside rein away from his neck, not crazy wide, but not snugged up against his neck where it would be easier for him to lean on it. Then she would use her inside rein to turn him and then use her inside leg to ask his inside hind to come up underneath him, all while keeping his neck really straight. He had a couple minor hissy fits, but eventually got with the program and did some really nice work. Then it was my turn!
We started going to the right, which is J's "easier" side (and mine as well, which is NOT a coincidence) as J is much more reactive to turning off the inside (right) rein and bringing his right hind under while keeping his neck straight. Shelley didn't necessarily want me to make this into big movements (ala turn on the forehand) but very subtle but definitely bend through is back, but if I had to make it into something bigger, I could do that. We did pretty well, doing the best in the canter where it's easier to use the natural bend of the horse and the impulsion that is in the gait. I have to learn to start with small aids and train him to be response to those smaller aids instead of having to nag him or beg him, which he can obviously do because Shelley does it every time she rides him.
So then we went to the left, which is a more difficult direction for the both of us. I have a nasty habit of shifting too much to the left, which then takes my right seat bone out of the saddle. This allows his outside shoulder to fall out and create this false bend, so he is not straight. J is also convinced that he cannot possibly bend his back without bending his neck while going to the left. He would love it if I would keep my right rein tight against his neck and steer him all day long off of it- basically neck reining. But he is not straight and balanced when he does this and therefore true collection would be impossible. So I worked on keeping my right rein away from his neck, keeping my right seat bone in the saddle, keeping his neck straight, then asking him for a small turn (though the shoulders) to the left with small aids on my left rein and then follow-up with my left leg, bringing his inside hind underneath him. While going to the right it seemed much more natural and not so chaotic, but going to the left was a completely different story. We both struggled, especially in the walk and trot. J felt like a ping-pong ball- flying from one side to another in his balance- from the right rein to the left rein and back again, while bending his neck at the smallest aid. It took me quite a while to find that "sweet spot" where he was correct. We got it a few times for a few steps, so I was happy that I had at least gotten the feel for it so I could practice it between lessons. Then we went to the canter and as it was in the other direction, it was much easier. And then suddenly, with seamless little effort, J got balanced, bent through his back, round and supple and it felt great! We ended the lesson on that last effort. And with that Shelley said...
"And that's essentially collection!"
I felt so hopeful that we would eventually get there! Can't wait to ride tonight and try to get it again!
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