Over the past few weeks we've really been working on securing my half-seat so I can feel secure cantering Indy finally! The whole tall horse with long legs and short rider with short legs and tight muscles combination is interesting, to say the least. I've really never (consciously, at least) worked on my half-seat this much, either. I'm trying to remember how I rode the hunter ponies in college and I really don't think I cantered in a half-seat at all? But we've been doing tons of transitions between half-seat/two-point and the posting trot, and a bunch of leg yields to get bend, all things I'll need to successfully canter.
Today we did a neat exercise where instead of riding a reverse, we rode a half circle into a straight line and another half circle the other direction - a sort of serpentine but going the opposite direction from where a serpentine usually goes.
And I have to say (again) that Indy is truly a saint. It took me forever to mount today (it's hard when you can't see your stirrup clearly and can't judge any distances!) and he stood completely still for me. Another of Mia's physically compromised students taught him how to move his hindquarters over with a gentle poke in the hips... wonderful! This horse is great to be around and so much fun to ride. Any horse who puts up with me and other beginners/physically compromised people deserves so much praise I can't even describe. Love him, and have the utmost respect for him.
