Hanna day 18 & 21

Hanna update: We work in the post pen and then show how it is translating to riding. A bit about the post pen: Harold Farren designed it as a single pillar surrounded by a square, but it’s far from a new idea. "Work around a single pillar brings out the balance, gentleness, lightness, resources and vigor in a horse and gives those everlasting qualities to those horses not already endowed with them by nature." LE MANEIGE ROYAL A. Pluvinel 1623 My mentor Frank Barnett told me it has the potential to save months of training by developing both sides of the horse equally. Repetition in a small area leads to concentrated skill building, teaching the horse to bend and commit its loin, not to lean, and how to use their hindquarters in the transitions. All positive skills that can be introduced first in the post pen, and then from their back. I chose to work her in a German martingale to help encourage the correct outline of her neck, since without it, she was above the bit and hollowing her back. You could also use a running martingale, just want to set them up in a good outline on the bit, and not behind the vertical. These training tools are temporary assistance for the horse learning to use itself and find its balance. Ultimately, they will come off, and the horse should be able to carry a good outline without being held in position.