SHERLOCK'S PAGE 14
Sherlock's 3rd Longeing Lesson -

Facing Me

Next time around I ask him to stop and he does and starts to face me.

This is OK but I really didn't ask for the beginning of a turn.

I let him stand there partly turned before I proceed.

(Later in this lesson I will insist that he stops straight).

Turn

I ask him to perform a walk-around turn - in other words, I don't want him to do a rollback or pivot and race off.

I'd rather he be a little pokey and walk around, then stop and wait for me to tell him what to do next.

Calm is good.

Relaxed

When I ask him to trot off, although his head is still a bit high, he is starting to relax and reach out with his legs rather than snap his knees and hocks up.

Unless you have a gaited horse, you don't want a lot of knee and hock flexion - your goal should be longer, lower strides - ground covering.

Using His Back

And when I ask for a canter, you can see his form has changed into a much more engaged canter with his hind legs reaching well under his body - HE IS STARTING TO ROUND HIS NECK AND BACK!!

Standing Straight

Now when I ask him to stop, I expect him to stop straight along the rail.

After he has stopped and stood with poise for 5-10 seconds, I can ask him to walk on straight ahead or turn.

This is another good stage.

Sherlock is growing up.