When I was riding last time, I had a moment when I realized I was throwing my lope cue away leaving my horse to wonder: lope? more trot? oh, she’s still poking me…must mean lope.
Of course those few trot steps before the lope are part of what keeps me from placing higher.
What I WAS doing is cueing…we’ll say with my right foot/spur…and bracing out straight with my left foot. I can understand why: I had polio as a young child and have very little strength in my legs. I need to brace in order to have enough pressure on his sides. Or so I thought! :yes:
Today, I closed my left leg on him, cued with my right and he stepped right into the lope. It was hard at first but after a few times I was able to transfer some strength from my closed left leg to my right spur.
I’m happy. It seems that he is too.
How much easier it is for him when he knows clearly what I want. Poor guy…he’s been so patient with me. I love him to the moon and back!
