Combs, Michell

Over the next few months, Missy and I worked on the lunging technique. We added the long whip (tapping the saddle, tapping behind him, waving it in front of him, cracking sound) and loud noises, around trucks and tractors, to create potential distractions. Roo’s initial overreaction of speeding up or trying to get away from the source became replaced by halting and waiting for my next direction. From there, we were able to move his response to keep doing what I asked until I ask for something else. I became more comfortable translating this technique to my riding: if he overreacts, I sit deep and give him a kick until he responds with power in the frame and not ‘running’ or out of balance. Outlast him! It’s not easy. But with the correct biomechanics , persistence and giving him consistent feedback, we have found the recipe to get on the same page in various settings.

Basically, my strategy in the past had been to not do too much to cause reaction from my horse and to stop when he started to run away. But that doesn’t give you the powerful partner you know is possible! My work with Heather in April enabled me to develop exercises to get my equine partner’s attention, and the culmination of work with her over the years has empowered me to use his energy in the right ways.

Thank you to Heather, Missy, Lyssa O’Riley for offering these clinics and to the Arizona Dressage Association for this great opportunity !