This week is my first full week at using the bit.

It is interesting how the mares differ in their reactions to the change. Mia is becoming much more cooperative at obeying the bit, and she is still giving me great contact. Of course I spend a part of my riding time on loose reins. This mare is starting to stabilize (keep the same speed until the next aid.) Twice when I stopped using my leg she continued at the same speed completely on her own on loose reins!!! One was at a striding out walk, and the other at a normal trot. I was SO happy. She still has not completely accepted contact on the turns, but with patience this will come again. As always she stops easily and is happy to stand still both on contact and with loose reins. Debbie said that Mia was starting to flex at the poll a little. I will have to work at making sure that I am giving her enough rein.

Cider was completely different. I had not ridden Cider for a MONTH, and this morning it was sort of nippy. I find that horses often reset their personalities when the fall comes. Now Cider was not snorty, but she saw no reason to obey my aids promptly. Changing her bridle to a bitted one today probably did not help. Cider was quite unresponsive to the bit, unless it was the indication she wanted to obey (go toward Shannon,) or stop, momentarily. She did not want to stand on loose reins. Fidgety, wanting to move, not wanting to walk by the rail, I felt like I was starting all over at the beginning. Again. This is how Cider acted when I started riding her. This is how Cider acts whenever there is a big change. This mares turns from a sweet cooperative horse into one who questions EVERY order (except to go to Shannon, THAT order she obeys promptly.) Hopefully by next weekend, when I ride her again (weather permitting) she will be more cooperative.

And you know what? Every single time I asked for contact she willingly gave it, and she kept the contact better than Mia did, especially at the turns. Shannon said she raised her head a little, I will have to work on this. She did not raise it really high, just so her poll was a little higher than the withers. If Cider had not acted like she had never been trained on a bit before I think her head would have stayed down because I would have to use fewer rein aids. I obviously have to work on my hands, emphasizing lightness, release, and proper timing. We will improve.

All week I have been working on my lower leg position as I still would like to try and jump this winter (cross-rails.) I have been re-reading my Littauer books, especially one of his earlier works (1935) which has wonderful detailed descriptions of the Forward seats for schooling, going fast, and jumping. I have been working at keeping my stirrup leathers straight, my heels down with my weight going down into my heels, keeping my toes out at 30 degrees, and keeping my foot to the inside of the stirrup with my soles slightly turned outward. All this serves to keep my knees in the saddle, and my calf muscles tight to grip with my upper calf. I am too weak to grip with my upper calves for more than about 6 trotting strides, so Mia is getting used to me applying grip and then relaxing my grip. I am finding that my hands feel lighter and are steadier when I grip with my upper calf while in a two-point (gallop) position or when posting at the trot. At first Mia thought this was an aid, but since I do not vary my grip she quickly realized that it was not an aid. I never hold a leg aid, it is always apply, then release. I also give my leg aids mostly with my lower calves, while I grip with my upper calf. Subtle difference, but then higher equitation is all about the subtleties.

I am finding riding Forward properly a big challenge. Littauer emphasized that forward seat riders need to be physically fit to keep in the forward position constantly. So here I am, physically unfit and weak because of my MS, working on getting strong enough to ride Forward properly all the time. This should take me several years. But once I get there I will be so much more secure on horseback and much better able to ride any sudden unplanned moves. Maybe then I can think about trail riding. But until that wonderful day I am back to feeling like a beginner, like I will never get strong enough to do this. At least this time I know when I am doing something wrong. It's just sort of humiliating to have to do it all over again.

Enjoy your ride.