Summary of my thoughts on fluid rein, partial diseng etc from Kelly/Dan instruction

I am excited to see my thoughts coming together, not only is instruction from Kelly/Dan congruent but because Bethanna sat in on the time with Dan, I KNOW I will get a lot accomplished--actually easier between BA and I because of our instructor/student long time relationship.

I like Karen Rohlf's statement that PNH is great on the psychology of the horse and classical dressage strong on the physical development of the horse. I think PNH is also not strong on developing the rider--hard to do through home study anyway in my opinion.

Anyway....

Stretching/fluid rein
1. Try is working with a hollow back, not using her HQ well thus heavy on the forehand.
2. Stretching causes the horse to use his HQ and round up throughthe back, eventually developing strength in the top line. Method is to comb the reins with a little contact--either slowly or very slowly then immediately release when Try stretches down. Try has now learned this so well that she goes into the stretching easily and frequently--even offers it--so it is feeling good to her.
3. When she stretches then can go on to something else. When her back hollows again, can stretch and regain her rounding up through the back. Obviously being careful and giving her time to develop the strength.

B. Partial disengagement etc
1. What to work on after Try stretches: exercises to get her using her hind quarters. With Kelly the first exercise was bending on the circle using my inside leg, suspension rein or slight indirect rein and match with my body position and energy. Circle both directions at walk and trot.
2. Then we did bullseye in and out with continued shaping on the circle.
3. Leg yields on and off the rail.
4. With Dan: leg yields off the rail and later just back to rail at a walk then combine to off/on yield and then trot.
5. Then partial disengagement as an exercize to engage HQ with the benefit that same exercise can be used to help RBE relax.
6. For me, I would like to get the partial disengagement solid enough that Try reads that as time to relax.

If we get so Try is using her abs and rounding up more, develing the top line then that is great for her physical conditioning for her continued aging and ALL THE GOAL I have at present.