Blue Steel, Pt 2

Glad I took some mystery photographer up on her offer?  Abso-freaking-lutely :)

Handsome devil

This is soooo his treat face

My boy

Blue Steel

Last week, I saw a post on a facebook forum asking for horse models for a photographer to use as  practice and to add to their portfolio.  Heedless of the dangers of the internet, I immediately volunteered Gavin and myself.

Four days later - a very soft-spoken, sweet photographer arrived at my barn to take portrait, confirmation, and action shots.  I have yet to receive the portrait shots (she says they take a bit more editing), but I did receive some action shots and one confirmation shot and I'm in love!

Please ignore the shoulder-hunching, helmet-mullet sporting rider (will I ever learn?... probably not) and focus on my brilliant cobby.  Looking at these pictures, I'm just so proud to say he's my pony. :)

Warm Up Shit Show

Curious to see if anyone else feels like their warm up is a shit show? 

John Oliver anybody?

It's like... Gavin can be fast in the warm-up, but he isn't pushing forward.  And I don't know what the hell is going on with my body during the warm-up.  It's all over the place, but somehow still stiff as a board.  He looks like some sort of weird, top-heavy tinker toy, and I look like an old lady being jolted every which way.

Weird place for a puppy picture.  But damn my old dog is cute :)

I have tried many different warm-up techniques.

1. The ole bumble around for 20 minutes
2. The strict - you must be in front of my leg warm up
3. Shoulder-in is a thing we should do a lot
4. The one-hand on the reins, one-hand on the hip, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing technique
5. Walk, trot, canter all on loose rein.  Pick up reins and still not know what the hell I'm doing.

The best warm-up I've found for Gavin and I is to be pretty upfront about what I'm looking for.  1) quick, accurate transitions (including stops, and back-up), 2) I'm in control of steering, 3) think about where my legs are and their stability, 4) think about my butt actually making full contact with the saddle in the posting trot (I have a tendency to post like a delicate flower). 

Horse and human bffs

All of this sounds so simple, but in reality, it looks like dog poo for the first 10 minutes.  Especially the trot, oh god help us at the trot.  But, It must be working out okay, because more often than not, it then melts into what I consider good work.  My body starts acting like a solid citizen and he starts actually being forward and dare I say?  Supple.  Okay, so the supple thing only seems to happen on full moons, but whatevs.

What is up with that?  Anyone else?

Maybe at some point I'll talk about the mobile Pony Palace :)