Virtual Clinic

Allow me to share a fascinating discovery:

http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013GeorgeMorris/

Videos available to watch, for free, from the George Morris clinic. I just watched "Day 1 - Anne Kursinski Flat Work" which was about an hour long. Their live streaming has been advertised a lot, but since I work during the day I  knew that wouldn't work for me. But they also have recorded sessions you can watch anytime, and its *professionally* videotaped. Multiple angles, panning in and out, so you can actually see the rider's movements from both sides and from a great view.

Good reminders on things I already know, old things said in new ways, and some new new things too. My main takeaways:

• Starting the ride by seeing how the horse responds to and moves off of leg aids.
• Release rein pressure to reward performance without letting it all go.
• Constantly, constantly changing contact pressure. 
• Forward. Straight. 
• Finesse and subtlety comes from correct position and a horse who has been trained to mind the aids.
• Patience through naughtiness, not overreacting - firm but not dramatic. Not emotional. 
• Cantering one on lead and holding a bend, doing serpentines (turning around).

Tonight I longed Hemie and he seemed a tad less sore compared to Tuesday. He was turned out today with his girlfriend Pixie and apparently they were running around like crazy horses, so I was thinking he might show more soreness/sensitivity due to his antics today. But so far, so good. 

My trainer and barn mates have expressed a mixed set of feelings about Hemie going barefoot, but so far I'm still on board for trying this out.