At 13:46:19 on 18.02.10, CarolineP wrote:
Hi Sylvia, it's good to hear that you share such a nice cob. It may be that George is responding to changes in you, rather than being ridden in the school. The other possibility is that his eyesight isn't 100% and he can't see so well in the dark. However, I think it's well worth you changing some things about what you're doing and thinking before you start any investigations into George. Keep yourself calm and grounded as you prepare him to be ridden. If you need to step away from him for a moment or two, to calm yourself, do it. You'll find lots of useful and effective tips for keeping calm in the posts in this group. When you're riding, use Calming Breathing to keep yourself (and George) relaxed. Imagine that your body is full of something heavy that's trickling out through your heels, or imagine that you're making a bottom print in wet sand. Give George plenty to think about: transitions, changes of rein and school figures. Teach him to leg yield, if he doesn't already know, so that you can flex him. This stops him getting his head and neck set and just tanking off with you. You could also do some work from the ground with him in the school to keep him interested and teach him to pay better attention to you! Hope these ideas help and you're soon enjoying some nice schooling sessions. Kind regards, Caroline
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