It worked - Daffy is now more forward in the school. Still not right, but a significant improvement. He's also a bit easier to push on out hacking, although still stopping regularly.

I rode on Monday, then lunged with two reins on Tuesday and longreined Thursday and Friday. He's actually moving forward now, could really do with some more cones to add a bit of focus though. On Friday he was just starting to work rounder rather than stretching out or down, but I'll keep the lines low for now. Just working in walk, I think I would have my work cut out trotting him.

Yesterday we went out for a bit of a hack - he was tripping over things quite a bit going down the hill, but then when we got back I noticed hollows behind his shoulders again, which filled in after about 5 minutes, so I'm going to get his saddle looked at. Suspect it may want some flocking putting in at the front, I can tip it forward from the ground with a hand on the pommel if it isn't girthed; perhaps it crept forward with the hill being so steep.

Daffy wanted to go into the school today, so we did. It was the longest session we've had in a while, started with lateral flexions, then some circles, a bit of leg yield, then some trot. Tried a little canter but a novice rider was using the other end of the school for the lesson and I didn't want to run him down the outside and interrupt, so we more or less left it. Then we did lots of transitions, he was sharper off the leg afterwards, even though I was then asking for really slow walk and trot. I think I will get the wip wop out for our next schooling session, he responds better to it than a whip.

As is a recurring theme lately, Daffy didn't want to go back into the barn. Eventually he relented, but I refilled my pockets and took him back out in the headcollar/line to have a play. His leg yield on the left rein was better than the right today, as is his opening of the right shoulder. We have a lesson/physio a week on Thursday and he will be checked over, but I suspect he might have shifted his over-compensating again.

Horses!

So... showing.

Decided to go for it on Tuesday, cue fantic buying of new show jodhpurs (must give Dad his belt back, they kept falling down) and lots of "oh god look how muddy he is, fingers crossed he's not this bad on Saturday" etc. Plus lots more on do we or don't we go hors concours? and what class do I put him in?, bearing in mind we were eligible for 3 M&M ridden classes.

After getting slightly lost on the way there, we started with M&M large breeds inhand, because we were early (or rather, they were about two hours behind what I expected) which was quite useful as he's not been in an indoor for years. Came last, judge said before we did our individual that he was more of a ridden pony for him, fair enough. Daffy was a bugger in the line up, kept throwing his head about, but have a couple of half decent pictures.

Then a long long time, plus 30minutes, no plus 20minutes, plus 5, plus 4, plus 5 minutes later, we were in the novice ridden M&M class, chosen so I could use the snaffle, and because it was first of the three. During the warmup he actually cantered, his trot was kind of hoppy, but we got some walk-canter. The canter wasn't pretty to start with however, and it, and everything else, deteriorated even further once we got into the ring. It was like being back in time 4 years when I first started showing him - nose in air, no flexion, motorbiking and generally crap, only this time he was a hell of a lot stronger. We came last, another fair placing, although I had hoped he would pull it together a bit and we'd actually place.

Nevermind - I went to get him going forward and we certainly achieved that. Next time it will be double bridle (with laced top reins, not plain) and grippier gloves. Have everything crossed that in the school tomorrow he will be more forward, think I will lunge with two lines to start working on lifting his forehand.

Tuesday went quite well. Daffy has gone from over compensating with his off side to over compensating with his near side, which meant that the saddle was slipping right quite a bit as his muscles on that side are not only slightly smaller, they aren't as toned.

We had our lesson, the focus was on correct bend, with three exercises in particular.

1 - walking straight, or on a shallow curve, flex left for a couple of strides, then right for a couple of strides, left/right etc. This was just to loosen him up a bit.

2 - start on a 10m circle, with inside flexion, and leg yield out. On the right rein he did well, on the left he struggled and I had to give him his head so he could stretch down in order to leg yield and maintain the flexion.

3 - in trot, rather than trying to trot a 20m circle, trot a diamond, so you have four quick bouts of inside flexion rather than trying to maintain it around a complete circle.

Throughout the lesson Daffy was working through, a very novicey outline, but it shows we haven't gone back as far as I thought we might. We then managed a few strides of canter - I need to just run him into it in order to rebuild his confidence. At the minute he obviously has quite a bit of remembered pain and although he wants to canter, he's not sure about it.

I've had conjunctivitis so not done much since, but on Friday we got a couple of really good leg yield strides on the right rein, I could really feel the cross.

Still not sure about showing next weekend, Amanda says to go for it as it will hopefully get him thinking forward, I'm thinking of all the hassle of getting ready, loading and waiting around once there!

Happy Halloween! Just feels like a normal Friday to me, but thank god it is Friday. With the clocks going back last weekend even finishing work at 4 means I've not had daylight to ride in, so we've lunged lightly once this week and that's about it.

So, Napping. We had a bit of a set back on the 15th, but basically the problem is now solved. I had somebody do a communication with Daffy - as a skeptic, it was a bit of a last resort and I'm keeping reasonably quiet about it. Doubt many people will read this so I'm probably safe. I wanted to know why he was napping. I'll put the full report in later, but essentially Daffy was picking up on my stress (worrying about him) and that was making me anxious. He wanted to go back to the way things were.

That started me thinking about what had changed with our hacking. We used to just set off, in one general direction and then we'd see a bridleway and go on it, no idea where we were going other than "that way". Because we were often out for a couple of hours, I'd bring food (usually chocolate) for me, and treats for him. Often we'd stop just to admire the view, then he'd turn to look at me, and be given a treat. This was pre-clicker.

So I know it kinda goes against what you're supposed to do with the clicker, but allowing him to stop when he feels it appropriate to have a treat, with me dictating stops only some of the time, has put the fun back into our hacks. I don't let him totally take the mick, he has to walk a reasonable way first, but it means we aren't napping, and it has changed my outlook on it too.

A vet check helped to put my mind at ease, as the vet was happy with how he was moving. We have a lesson! and physio on Tuesday with Amanda. If the lesson goes well (ie if we can find the canter button again) and he gets the all clear to start proper schooling, we will probably go to a show on the 16th or maybe 30th November, just to get out again.

So the AC was a very worthwhile thing for me to do. It hurt to read it, but now I'm much happier, and Daffy's much happier, and it's all because of the AC.

Daffy

He came across as an older chap but when I asked him how old he was he gave me the number 8. [He's 17 in March] He seems tired and a bit fed up, down in the dumps. He says wet and rainy again. Does he get affected by the weather. A longing to be tucked up and quickly let winter pass so he can be young and youthful again. He doesn't like the winter and it being darker and colder. He achs more in the winter. I get the sense that he would suffer from SAD if a human, well he does suffer it but it doesn't get diagnosed it in horses. [I feel the same, which not much good for cheering him up. Maybe it is rubbing off on him]

He likes showing off and stunning people with his paces and shiney coat. He's not so keen with the hassle of getting nready but loves it when he's there and people are watching. He says he has the wow factor. [Arrogant little.. No, he is an absolute stunner and always gets complimented when we're out and about. I know he hates the prep work - he gets cold being bathed and doesn't like having his plait put in.]

I fee he likes the showing and dressage but ewhen asked about jumping got a nervous excitment. He feels unpredictable in this area. When he's good he's brill but very much down to how he's feeling on the day. [Jumping, well he was hurting with his joint problems so understandable. But yes, he was amazing, I am an extremely nervous jumper and I would trust him with my life over a course. I'm glad he likes the other competing we do, makes putting him through loading in the trailer worthwhile, although I'd rather we were able to hack to shows like we used to. Explains why he likes ridden better than inhand - more opportunity to show off!]

He's giving me an uncertain feeling. Has something changed around him. There's something unsettling him. Have you changed your routine lately and are you going to see him at different times, not regular times. Routine isn't in place. [We moved yards end of August, he's now on full livery, but I go up every day about 5pm.] He's confused with you. He feels you are taken up with something in your life and so are not being as clear with him. [I am worried about him and his joint problems, why he doesn't want to go forward, does he still hurt? etc] Sometimes more impatient than others and the consistancy of instruction and of you has gone slightly. It's making him feel anxious. He sees his stable as a safety zone where you are still the same but when riding your not quite ewith him all the time and he gets nervous. (is this sometimes your thinking time) He needs your support and guidence. definite aids and consistancy. To be groundedand clear. Not let your mind wonder. Be in tune with him. He feels your mind wonders off him to different scenarious and events and then you loose your intunement with him. [This I feel bad about, guess I've not been enjoying riding him because of all the worry, although I always enjoy his company, and we need to get the fun back.]

He loves you but feels you are being pressured elsewhere which is effecting your life with him. Your anxiety is rubbing off on him and making him anxious.

Where's the laughter gone and excited chit chat. He's your confident but there hasn't been the communication recently. [I've noticed myself being down in the dumps a lot lately. Partly the problems we're facing, but also winter, and the state of my bank balance. I feel tired a lot of the time, my fuse is short and I get overly emotional about things now. Being with Daffy used to be my release, and it still is, but I need to make more of an effort to try and make that easier for him.]

Are you questioning where you want to be and what you want to do with him. He feels he doesn't know what direction you want to progress in. He questions how he can please you when he's not sure what you want from him. [There is some uncertainty over what Daffy wants to, and is capable of doing, and I am wary of pushing him, but also of not giving him a job to do. It sounds like I am safe to make a decision though and he'll go with me on it.]

Needs you to be patient, calm, unflustered, directional and motivated ( not alot then!). He really wants the fun to come back with the laughter and play. He says he wants his funny mummy to return. [This makes me cry every time I read it. Tonight I'm going to turn him loose in the school and we'll just play, not that there's a lot to play with in there, it's all jumps, but will bring the whip in for some target training.]

Kate I hope this helps. He is a lovely man so desparate to please you but he just doesn't feel secure at the moment. Parhaps it may be an idea to step back from the problem and think about how you feels around the time, just before ,during and after and see if this is what he's feeling. Maybe sing to him when riding out and talk to him about what you want, where your going etc. Be reassuring but definite in your aids. I'm probably not saying anything that you have not already tried. Stay with him, he's got so much depth to him and is very sensitive soul.

Just realised it would've made more sense to post the mounting stuff in here (comments aren't easy to find!) so sorry Claire!

We're making progress on the napping front. It was pointed out to me that we appeared to be "sulking in harmony" in the photos, and I agree.

So my mantra has been "think forward, do forward, be one with the forward" (thanks Bejay!) and also Alexandra Kurland's "everybody has to sit down eventually" which basically means if you are patient enough, the horse will shift in weight. In her book she talks about how understanding this is really well, critical, and I see why, it makes perfect sense.

On Friday we went up the bridleway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/hack.jpg

Red dot - stable
Yellow line - route, flat except horizontal bit just out of yard, which is steep
Red dot - flappy (scary) haylage bales
Green dot - tractor (scary) with engine going (even scarier)
Blue dot - mounting block
Pink dot - tantrum about not being able to put head down to eat grass from strip in middle of bridleway
Green line - route, very uphill
Blue dot2 - turn back point
White line - for some obscure reason Daffy decided to go past the yard, until we met a car and had to turn back anyway.

Today we went around the block. I am beginning to realise that the problem is just getting him going, once we are on our way (generally off the yard and up the tiny bit of hill) he stops planting. I'm hoping to get some longer hacks in this week now that I'm confident it won't take 1hr to get out and 20mins to get back from somewhere. I hope that once he is fitter, and his muscles have evened up, that there will be no more napping. We will see.D

So, napping. I'm finding it extremely irritating now, but trying my best to be patient. Not only do we nap on the drive, we nap in the school too. Ended up waiting for him to move then rewarding him. That will take some patience to continue, but hoping it will be worth it.

Some photos from yesterday..

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1619.jpg

Lets just stand here then.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1619.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1621.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1623.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1624.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1625.jpg

He's funny because he flexes round, even so far as to touch my boot, to try and earn a treat, rather than moving forward. These flexes were asked for.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1627.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1628.jpg

A bit of reinback, showing how he hollows to do it, although he does go quite lightly. This isn't the best he's done.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1631.flv

I'm working on a "pose" which hopefully I can then incorporate into his backing up.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1638.jpg

And just because he's gorgeous
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1637.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF1639.jpg

Today we hacked about 250m, and then back. Once I got him off the yard and up the small but steep bit onto the more level ground, he was striding out nicely. I kept up a pretty high rate of reinforcement, but I have a feeling that just initially we're going to have to keep hills to a minimum - impossible where we are! He does line himself up beautifully for the mounting block now though.

So physio on Wednesday - although Daffy feels stiff, he isn't actually tight anywhere (lateral stuff must be helping) he is just unevenly muscled from holding himself a certain way for so long. Prescription - lots of hacking, or longreining.

So we've been working on Daffy's nappy behaviour. The drive is about 60ft long. It started that I would have to click treat a shift in weight, then a step, then two steps etc, never more than 5, meaning we were stopping about 15-20 times on the way to the end of the yard.

On the second day of nap-busting, got 5 strides straight off, but again not really more than that in one go, and still not striding out.

Yesterday I'd hoped for 3 stops (inc at the end of the drive) but with the weather conditions - windy and wet - it turned out to be 7 - 2 horse and 5 rider, which was fair enough.

Today, 3 rider instigaged stops - woo! - and then back at the yard I dismounted because a tractor was coming and I had no saddle. After all the machinery had done moving (we watched) Daffy set off - a pony on a mission - to the end of the yard. It was like "this is what you want mum, look, I can do it!"

I can't believe it's almost October already. Daffy is being clipped in just over a week, I think I blinked and missed summer!

On Wednesday I had my equisimulator lesson. I was epxecting to feel like I was riding something skinny with no front, because it didn't look that wide, and it had no neck, just a little bit above the withers. It was actually rather wide, and I didn't feel like I had nothing in front of me, although if it'd pitched forward I'd probably have been thrown over. As the simulator was on springs rather than motorised, it was moved by me, or rather Damien who was guiding my movement.

Essentially I need to lift my heel slightly, which will bring my lower leg back. I also need to straighten my lower back, which hollows easily enough (and was usually ever so slightly hollow) but I struggle to round it, and sit slightly further forward in the saddle (on that one at least). This made a big difference to my seat - I was now able to sit on my seat bones. I'm finding it easier to work on my back than on my legs. The mirrors certainly helped with my legs, but I can do my back on feel.

We did some walk/trot and canter on the simulator, I found canter the hardest but if I think about really controlling little backwards circles I get into a rythym. In walk and trot the hardest part was there being more up than forwards, but apparently I was absorbing those well, just need a softer lower back.

On a real horse (Chalky, who I rode back in May) I got to put the lower leg into practise. I found I could automatically correct my back (and my collapsing hip, and my inside shoulder on bends..) but the leg was harder as it throws me off balance. I rode on a Fheonix, which I didn't like as much as the Vogue, and we used a pelham. Got some nice work out of Chalky, without being scraped on the fence, particularly reinback.

I then came back to practise on Daffy, mostly in walk although I wanted to see if he'd go into trot, which he would. He's still lacking in some energy, but he's reshod tomorrow so can start hacking out and building fitness, although we had a tiny tiny hack yesterday and he was a nappy git. Inhand I noticed he was stiff through the right, so he's having physio on Thursday - busy start to the month!

Had OH come and take some photos on Tuesday. Not the best work we've produced, but not bad.

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF0285.jpg
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF0294.jpg
http://www.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF0288.jpg

And a couple of videos
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF0292.flv
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Daffydilly/?action=view&current=DSCF0283.flv

I spent Saturday/Sunday watching two clinics with Becky Holden. The particular thing I brought home with me was the idea of opening the outside shoulder from the ground. Essentially you are in the work inhand position with bit/bridle/reins, and your right hand, instead of being in place of a leg, is on the large shoulder muscle. As the outside leg comes off the floor you apply the aids which then gets them opening the shoulder.

I went down to the yard Saturday evening all enthusiastic and ready to try. I ended up getting on Daffy (bareback, no hat, and he's not been ridden since early July!) because he wouldn't relax his poll on the ground. It re-affirmed to me that as he is stiff, both in his poll and through his shoulders/ribs, and because he prefers to have his mouth left alone, that I would leave him to soften his own poll later, which I know he does.

Yesterday evening I tried opening his shoulder again from the ground (no playing with his poll this time) and Anchor Spreadable! It was lovely. I wasn't sure until that moment exactly what an open stride was, but I sure know what one feels like now. Not quite as good on the right rein tonight, but it's colder so he's probably stiffer.

He also has his work ethic back - when I walked towards the exit of the school, not holding him, and turned right away from the exit, he would follow me. When I made to go out of the exit, he would come around and block me so I had to turn back into the school. When he couldn't, he would just stop, but not plant, and pull a cute "can't we work some more?" face. How I adore that pony.

Well Daffy now has equal flexion in both hocks, so things are looking pretty good. He isn't really using himself, but as he's now back in work (!) that'll come.

His lateral work has improved, I can do it with a line attached to his headcollar and no bit now. If I wanted to do renvers and half pass I think I'd need the bit to start with until he understands. He's not taking the biggest most sweeping strides yet, but I'm confident that we'll improve his flexion and that'll follow.

So sideways is good, reinback is also very good (particularly in the long lines) but forwards in the longlines is an issue. I've decided to just do the work inhand for a few more days, get his motivation right up and then try the longlines again.

I've ordered The Click That Teaches: Riding With The Clicker as I want to know more about shaping him to work correctly. It's coming from the US, so don't know when it'll arrive, but in the mean time I'm reading a book on posture (human) so plenty to be going on with.