some of you may know for the past 4 years I have been struggling to get Blaze to slow down in his walk trot and canter. because he goes so fast and it's just no fun to even try and ride. and for the long es I been avoiding it at all cost. or just looking past it. because I didn't know what to do. anyways..........This past week I went to camp for 5 days. our focus of the week was mainly on line and freestyle patterns. and Freestyle patterns were a pain for me because Blaze kept going way to fast for every pattern we were doing. on follow the rail at the canter and trot. was impossible. because blaze just wanted to bolt around the arena. and that was no fun at all. I was struggling not to get upset. I kept smiling. and trying some more. I was using the theraflex. and it wasn't helping at all. the next day Jennifer wanted me to try her wintec Dressage saddle. that didn't fit her Halflinger. and it was wider than my saddle. so I said ah why not! first thing I put on and started walking. there wasn't any change that I could see. I asked him to trot and he started trotting slower. I was like wow! so far so good!! and when I asked for the canter he put his head down and started cantering very slow. I was in shock!!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: everyone who was watching was like WOW!!! :shock: because it was like a new horse!!! he was so nice and slow on a loose rein. I didn't have to hold him back at all! I try ed follow the rail at the canter and he didn't go any faster than what I asked. I way so HAPPY!!! later that day we did more patterns. and at times I had to do a 1 rein stop to remind him not to go fast. and after I did that he would slow down again. but we did clover leaf, at the canter and he was great! bulls eye. figure 8 and got flying lead changes!!! sideways box, at the trot and canter. almost got a flying change. (front feet changed) not the back lol. and the the ultimate challenge. the open pasture!!! with tons of obstacles :shock: :shock: and also a little cross country course, and we did that :shock: guess what. Blaze was perfect, got a little fast at times but slowed down. he went over the jumps. I was like WOW!!! and cantered all on the pasture with no problem. he didn't take off. everything went awesome!! I was blown away. and sorta felt bad that All this time I've been having trouble was because of our saddle. but I'm glad that it is fixed now. and Jennifer let me buy the saddle!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Grateful that she let me try it out. and Jennifer was the first person besides me that had rode him (since I've had him) and he did awesome. and just yesterday I let my mom and brother. and niece and sister N law ride him for the first time. (my sis n law has never rode a horse) and I told her what to do. and let her go and she was riding all around the pasture with no problem. and she loved it. and he also was perfect for my brother and mom too!! I would have never done that with my old saddle. because Blaze has completely changed latterly over night! I would have never trusted him with someone else on his back be for!
and Jennifer has had this saddle for years and hasn't used it so it's like new! :mrgreen: I even got him to do finesse in a halter. walk trot and canter. and doing patterns. it was so easy for his back. I was so very happy that finesse will no longer be hard because he can finally use his back now and no longer bracy!! :mrgreen: and the same with freestle. no more takeing off, and going fast
I am just SOOOOOO HAPPY!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: here are some pics of at camp with me riding with it
lol the ears were back because we were riding allot befor that lol
Now Level 4 Finesse and Freestyle will be allot more easy