ABC's of Straightness

Today was dressage lesson day at the barn and seeing that there is a spot open as most people opt out on cold(er) days I decided to seize the opportunity. 

Shelley (coach), noticed that Solo has a much larger stride than his size and strength will balance at the moment. So when I ask him to be forward, we end up warbling all over the joint. Best way to describe it, really. Thus, the name for the game in this lesson was the ABC's of straightness. Nothing too advanced, keep it simple, don't jump to 'XYZ' until the other 23 letters are down pat.

To the left, Solo feels super balanced and flexible, right...Eh it feels like we are hanging off a cliff if we get beyond a slow trot. Shoulder falls in, outside becomes hollow, and I feel like I am spiraling down. My thoughts to fix, more leg but get that shoulder back in line. Ie inside leg, inside rein at the neck, open outside rein providing a place to 'go', and a 30m circle. No?

While I thought it worked, Shelley actually explained that Solo doesn't understand the inside leg yet or passive rein aids and the circle just gave him what he wants, fall in and less forward since he doesn't have the haunch power to thrust yet.

Makes sense.

Shelley's solution; leg only means forward right now, give direction with rein, soften the rein by asking for forward and make two corners in the arena not four. 

Ie. Cut the first corner 3/4 down the long side ask for direction towards wall slightly just enough to offset the shoulder in a way Solo understands, leg on coming out of the corner. Effectively, we are now as good as 'straight', properly engaging the haunches.

The path of the entire arena ends up looking like an oval sliced in half. 

Second exercise, use the first cornering the short end, turning early for room to 'steer over', turn down 3/4 line, steer to wall, leg on at the same time.

Shelley explained that while unconventional, this is baby talk for the purpose of bend. Teaching bend later but using its benefits now.

Did it help? The test. Asking for canter depart right, which is normally a hot mess of unbalance and shoulder popping. 

Today, instant right lead and balanced depart. Woot!