Well, I purchased 6 pair of cavalettli stands. I will begin working Sargent over them as soon as I get a day off. I will be cancelling my Friday rides with Dennis Reis for this September. I have been doing a lot of research and the best way to build Sarge’s muscle and break his tendency to pace is to work him at the walk for several months over poles, cavalettis, up and down hills, backing etc. It makes no sense to ask for increased speed if all he gives me is a pace…it is like practicing the wrong thing! At the Reis Rides, we work all 3 gaits. Because Sargent is limited to walking for physical reasons, I will opt out. Building him up is so much more important than my earning the endorsements! I also found a parelli trainer in California that specializes in gaited horses and has a DVD combo on gaited training to help them find their gait the natural way. I will be sending out my order tonight.
I am glad to learn that I can build him up and still be riding him, even if only at the walk. I enjoy trails and we can walk them, no problem. I will ask for a vertical frame for a few strides, then release. Ask, release, and so on. Another good exercise I found is to ask them to side pass over a cavaletti pole. I will keep looking for more exercises so I can keep this fitness thing interesting! He is not sore any more, so I can’t wait to get started. Too bad work has to get in the way!
