Working On Grass
Working On Grass
If you only have a grassy field to work on or other areas where your horse is heavily distracted by the presence of food, see how Warwick handles these types of situations.
If you encounter any problems with the Focus & Bend, work on them until they are solved and then go back to the Focus & Bend exercise.
You will continue working on the Focus & Bend exercise to the left until your horse goes off around you, off of the point (not having to use the flag) every time and maintains the correct bend. Then you will keep them walking around you (we are not lunging them, but they are going to circle around you). This will be a tool you can use if you ever need to show a vet your horse in a circle – we do not teach it for that purpose, we teach it for collision avoidance purposes and to get them to read your energy, amongst other things.
A reminder how to use this course: click on Mark Complete below and you will be taken to the next topic.
I am realizing my question was stupid. I did Step 22 Working on Grass exercise and my horse responded well. Until the next day and following day. It was as if he just wouldn’t listen. I had trouble giving clear cues with the flag, since he began over reacting when I cued him to walk and he stuck. So I’m afraid I waved the flag too hard, then when I toned it down, my horse wouldn’t listen and kept going ahead. He willingly would begin walking when lifting his head from the grass. When I walked a bit faster, he would suck back. Then I pivoted and we were going again. When I stopped walking, he dove for the grass. I waited til he lifted his head and we started, then he sucked back to drag. Now when I take out the flag, he bolts forward. Should I continue to pivot, or should I quickly put away the flag when he finishes the pivot and stand still? He keeps going. So should I continue to pivot repeatedly until HE stops? I’m confused, and that is why I asked to be directed to other videos of working on grass. I hope this is clear.
Are you making a clear postural and energetic change before pulling out the flag.