MIA
SESSION 4
Since the last session, Chantal has been working on straightness and suppleness with Mia. In this session, Ali gets Chantal to work on transitions and does some 'reactivity' training, as well as continuing to focus on straightness.
The session starts with Ali checking Chantal's position and making sure Mia is taking long strides in walk and trot. In trot, Chantal has to think about 'slingshoting' back to connect into Mia's hindlegs and 'catapult' Mia out in front.
Ali does some 'reactivity' training in the transitions to make Mia more responsive. Mia's transitions from trot to walk take too long and she likes to go 'head first' rather than 'bum first'. To make the transitions quicker, Chantal has to think about trot to halt transitions. Chantal also has to focus on her position, keeping her front short and 'plugging in' not clenching her butt!
With the upwards transitions, Chantal finds that's it a fine balance between the correct amount of go and too much go! After working on the trot walk transitions, Ali gets Chantal to practice some trot halt trot transitions. Chantal has to remember to breath during the halt part of the transitions! Mia shows she can do a lovely square halt with her hindlegs underneath, ready to push into the trot. Chantal has to continue to focus on her position and not 'water ski'. Having done lots of transitions, Mia feels a lot lighter in the contact to Chantal.
In canter and canter transitions, Chantal has to continue to think about 'slingshot' and connecting into Mia's hindlegs. Chantal has to focus on 'bouncing the ball', in particular just before the canter trot transition. In the upward transition, Mia struggles being straight on the left rein and wants to throw herself to the right. Chantal has to think about leg yielding her to the left to get her straight in the transition. By the end of the session, Chantal is delighted with Mia's canter and the transitions!
The session starts with Ali checking Chantal's position and making sure Mia is taking long strides in walk and trot. In trot, Chantal has to think about 'slingshoting' back to connect into Mia's hindlegs and 'catapult' Mia out in front.
Ali does some 'reactivity' training in the transitions to make Mia more responsive. Mia's transitions from trot to walk take too long and she likes to go 'head first' rather than 'bum first'. To make the transitions quicker, Chantal has to think about trot to halt transitions. Chantal also has to focus on her position, keeping her front short and 'plugging in' not clenching her butt!
With the upwards transitions, Chantal finds that's it a fine balance between the correct amount of go and too much go! After working on the trot walk transitions, Ali gets Chantal to practice some trot halt trot transitions. Chantal has to remember to breath during the halt part of the transitions! Mia shows she can do a lovely square halt with her hindlegs underneath, ready to push into the trot. Chantal has to continue to focus on her position and not 'water ski'. Having done lots of transitions, Mia feels a lot lighter in the contact to Chantal.
In canter and canter transitions, Chantal has to continue to think about 'slingshot' and connecting into Mia's hindlegs. Chantal has to focus on 'bouncing the ball', in particular just before the canter trot transition. In the upward transition, Mia struggles being straight on the left rein and wants to throw herself to the right. Chantal has to think about leg yielding her to the left to get her straight in the transition. By the end of the session, Chantal is delighted with Mia's canter and the transitions!