Douwe has been doing very well in his training. He is doing leg-yielding nicely in both directions and has also started doing some at the canter as well. This is helping him to balance in corners and on circles. Recently the exercise that has been helping Douwe the most is the halfpass in the trot. We use the First Level One halfturns to practice. I ask for some shoulder-fore down the long side, do a 10 meter trot circle in the corner and then ride the halfturn asking for halfpass. He keeps his bend well and is getting better about stepping over with the hind legs. Carolyn, my trainer, had me start doing halfpass to help him get his hind legs underneath him. His major issue is to engage and stay connected hind to front. I also do a lot of piaffe in-hand with rein-back as well. He is becoming more animated and loves to rein-back for a treat. He has a long way to go but he is definitely getting more comfortable to ride and lighter in his entire body. I am looking forward to taking him on trails and cantering again, that really helped his strength last summer.
Douwe in the 2009 Dover Parade
