tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post1498246964871946449..comments2023-06-10T10:37:13.281-05:00Comments on Horsemanship in Harmony: Concerning CirclesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261044008845212950noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-62381866577538778712011-09-06T13:14:23.694-05:002011-09-06T13:14:23.694-05:00To tell the truth, I didn't see how it would w...To tell the truth, I didn't see how it would work either. But when Kathy suggested it, I figured I'd tried everything else . . .<br /><br />At first Cricket just sort of plodded her way through it. But it wasn't comfortable because she'd have to do weird things to adjust her stride to get over the pole. And it's no fun hitting your ankles on solid wooden poles.<br /><br />I gave her a big release and reward the first time she moved into a forward, working trot and cleared the pole in stride. After that, it was actually her idea to canter and I just left her alone to see what would happen. At first, she'd canter to the pole, drop to trot and get over it and then canter to the next pole, repeating the drop to trot. After a few circuits of me just leaving her alone, she adjusted her balance and stride and just cleared each pole in stride and it was BEAUTIFUL!<br /><br />I honestly couldn't believe that she was putting forth more effort to deal with the poles. But I think there was some purpose to the circle and it was mental challenge as much as a physical challenge.<br /><br />Whatever it was, IT WORKED! I'm going to have Kathy help me set up a series of trot poles on opposite sides of the circle so I can work on her left bend and see if we cannot free her up (without having to spend whopper dollars on the equine chiro)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08035597114351155375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8996505457028956833.post-42722266037293499822011-09-06T12:51:21.631-05:002011-09-06T12:51:21.631-05:00I will, of course, have to try this. I still canno...I will, of course, have to try this. I still cannot exactly see how it works and I guess I cannot imagine my horse putting in MORE effort to go over poles, but will try to "have faith"! Thanks for posting - love the new header!Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393381752572491969noreply@blogger.com