The Equisense has continued to be illuminating in the most shameful ways. Like, you hope you'd recognize the fact that the canter is his weakest gait because you literally never do it or that turning left is uncomfortable for you both because you go right a lot more, but there's a difference between casually thinking that and seeing cold, hard numbers that you cannot ignore.
The above rides were from earlier this month. I've since set some casual goals to increase the amount of cantering and going left that we do every ride.
There's already been improvement. Each ride between the one above and the one below has been progressively longer in terms of cantering. The left rein comes and goes, but is generally trending upward too.
The reason I'm not cantering enough is largely because until he's really on my aids, his canter is not fun to ride. So I spend most of the ride getting him perfect in the trot before deciding to canter.
But, often the canter helps the trot, so it's a catch 22 that I need to recognize and power through. My last ride showed some definite improvement in that, with cantering early and often (for me):
It's still such a "nice to have" that I'm almost guilty owning it, because it's really not essential, but it's also shedding light on some really important things we need to fix, and there's a lot of value in that.
You are making me really want one! I keep finding myself wondering if I'm going each direction the same amount of time or not. I got into a habit of being kind of an extreme clock watcher when riding the chestnut boys after doing rehab programs with both so I've been trying just to ride off feel for when Maestro's given me some good work and then take a walk break. Besides it's sometimes hard enough just to keep a good rythmn and canter around that I don't have the chance to keep staring at my watch, lol.
ReplyDeleteHow long does a charge usually last you on it?
I'm actually not sure yet. I haven't charged it in 10 days and have ridden 5 times in that time, so it lasts quite a while. I've been intentionally pushing the limits with it on this first charge so I get a feel for how long it lasts.
DeleteYou probably have a better idea of direction time than I do, if you've rehabbed and you're used to looking at a clock. I'm used to neither of those things, and it shows.
I need one for the transition counter alone lol
ReplyDeleteRight? In my NK lesson on Friday we did 137!!
DeleteI felt a little spoiled at first but man it's changed my riding SO MUCH in the same ways that you're working on. I didn't realize how little I would canter and I was very right handed. Now, almost a year later, its trained me well- my last few months are pretty much 50/50 on the nose direction-wise and I usually hit my canter goal every day. I love reading about how you're using yours! We definitely had the same realizations!
ReplyDeleteThat actually makes me feel so much better, thank you for commenting! It seems like all of this should be so obvious without the Equisense, but I guess in the moment it just isn't.
DeleteI downloaded the app, which has some really cool exercises! I"ll have to put the sensor on my Christmas list!
ReplyDeleteThey just came out with those exercises, I haven't messed with them yet but I'm curious to know what you think of them!
DeleteWow, now I'm really wanting this. I would totally buy myself one for Christmas if I weren't saving for a trailer. This may be my next large horse purchase though!
ReplyDeleteLol, I'm here to enable. It's really helpful!
DeleteAhh every time you post about this, I want to buy one. But poor. It is fascinating to see how this software can actually point out some of your weaknesses and give you a tangible way to measure and improve them.
ReplyDeleteFor sure. It's the tangibility that really matters I think, you can ignore the voice in your head that says you're not cantering enough, but you can't ignore the numbers on the screen that prove it.
DeleteThis is so cool! I suspect Emi and I don't turn left or canter enough. I think I need one...
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing if you can part with the $$$. I wish I'd had it when Connor was younger for sure, maybe we could've avoided some things.
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