HorseAddict

Simple is not always easy.

This past week I had one lesson with my coach Belinda Trussell where we did a simple canter exercise. Canter on the true lead and turn onto the quarter line and leg yield to the wall. Remaining in leg yield transition from canter to walk. The second part of the exercise was to pick up the counter canter and then leg yield from the wall toward the center. Then as in the first exercise transition to walk.

It is such a simple exercise . Simple yes, but not easy! Here is a video (taken by my husband) that shows the exercise: on the left rein in true canter, counter canter and then both on the right rein. You will also notice I am grappling with sitting to the right due to an issue with my right leg. I will get that sorted out soon.

Thursday I had a minor surgery to remove a skin cancer from the bridge of my nose so I will not be riding for a few days. Have a good weekend everyone!

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anne leueen

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Comments

46 responses to “Simple is not always easy.”

  1. endean0 Avatar
    endean0

    Hope that’s all gone well for you.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you. We are working at it.🙂

      Reply
  2. Weekend Coffee Share; My Heart Is Full – Mylife-and-Horsestories

    […] his feet moving. I have to say my eyes opened up yesterday when I was reading Anne’s blog (HorseAddict) she shared a lesson with her trainer (her trainer is an Olympian!) She rides dressage and at the […]

    Reply
  3. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Hope you recover soon, Anne.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Amy.It was just a small incision to remove a basal cell cancer.I am on the road to recovery already!

      Reply
      1. Amy Avatar
        Amy

        Yay!

        Reply
  4. Alli Farkas Avatar
    Alli Farkas

    Gahhh!!! In my book simple never turns out to be easy. 🙄

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Haha! Yes you understand!

      Reply
  5. Diana Avatar
    Diana

    Thank you for Carl Hester’s advice! (I’m honored and thankful) I don’t want him to get dull sided so I’ll go with his advice. I noticed you ride with a dreassge whip and I have one I can use but I have a question; if I were to use would I tap near my leg for encouragement? Or tap his right or left hip? Murphy is not a spicy or hot horse and so lazy that he knows if I don’t have my little English spurs on and I rarely need the spurs (but sometimes I have to just lightly tap so he knows I have them) but I was thinking of adding my dressage whip as another aide so that he realizes we need to do this work in arena. I’m going to do trot poles tomorrow to see if this helps his boredom and I don’t ride him very long since he’s so young. He has a bit of a stubborn streak in him but I want to encourage him with positive reinforcement and rewards, and kind but firm aides. It’s been so long since I’ve worked with one so young, and not wanting to go forward I think is bit of a challenge. (I will say this is mostly at the walk. When I ask for the trot he does pick it up and stays trotting well. But he will come to a halt instead of a walk often. He also readily picks up the canter and transitions to a trot well but if he can halt, he will and if I’m not paying attention he will even back up instead of walking forward. I know I need to stay focused, he tuckers me out
    I don’t want the stubbornness to grow as he isn’t bad, but I don’t want it to get worse.) I want to be kind and I want him to want to go forward (I hope I make sense! Thanks for letting me pick your brain!!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Use the whip beside your leg with a young horse to reinforce your request for him to go forward. At the same time work the bit in his mouth so he stays supple in his neck and knows he can go forward. You can also use a bat crop beside your leg with a youngster. You would be holding it in one hand and give him a good tap when you put your legs on to ask him to go forward. This makes it a clear aid and he will learn that means GO! I hope that helps.

      Reply
      1. Diana Avatar
        Diana

        YES!! This helps tons. Thank you so very much!!!!

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          We’ll give it a go and I hope it will help.

          Reply
          1. Diana Avatar
            Diana

            Hi Anne, I wanted to let you know I had great success with my ride today, the dressage whip was exactly what I needed. I also shared your blog sight by tagging you in my weekend coffee share. I hope that is okay and thought this a nice way to say thank you so very much! <3

          2. anne leueen Avatar
            anne leueen

            Thank you for tagging Horseaddict! That is certainly ok. I’m glad the whip helped.

  6. jhguezille Avatar
    jhguezille

    Such a cool exercise! I loved getting to see the video with it in there!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Good I’m so glad yo enjoyed it.

      Reply
  7. Diana Avatar
    Diana

    Hope for fast healing for your skin and your leg! ♥️🙏♥️ That looks so difficult to ride. You are so amazing and inspiring Anne! 💜

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      My nose is healing already and my leg is not injured it is just that it needs to be stronger. So I am working on that! Thanks for commenting Diana.

      Reply
      1. Diana Avatar
        Diana

        Oh yes, sorry as I’m not sure why I thought your leg was injured and I need some leg strengthening too! My young Murphy is so lazy, I’m needing all the leg I can muster in the arena. And I have one leg stronger than the other which we probably all do I’m thinking. 😊

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          My right leg is my weaker one and I have some exercises from my physio at home to get it stronger. So I just have to do them!! With Murphy I will pass on some advice from Carl Hester. He says that a hot horse needs more leg to keep them calmer and a horse that is not forward needs less leg but needs clear and specific leg aids to let them know they must go forward NOW. Keeping the leg on too much will just make them dull to the leg. Biasini is more on the hot horse side so I do keep my legs just in contact with his sides. Anyway its easy to do if you are Carl Hester but I am light years away from that!! 🤣

          Reply
  8. Mrs. Shecky's Blog Avatar
    Mrs. Shecky’s Blog

    Mend well. I have had a few of those nasties taken off. The old baby oil days caught up, but just stay ahead and wear that hat and sunscreen. I will be thinking of you positively.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you so much. I appreciate your positive thoughts. And yes I remember baby oil and coconut oil too!

      Reply
  9. J.W.S. Avatar
    J.W.S.

    Nice to see your riding. Very well done…simple can be difficult. Also, rest up and be well.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you and I am taking it easier to give my nose the best chance to heal up well.

      Reply
  10. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    I hate when someone says, “Oh, this is simple.” Then if I mess up, I’m an idiot! Nothing about riding a horse is simple, I think. I see that you are leaning, but your back is so straight. That’s impressive. I hope your leg and nose heal quickly.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Marsha. The nose is doing well and my leg is a matter of being aware of how I am using it when I am riding. I will get it sorted!

      Reply
      1. Marsha Avatar
        Marsha

        You are amazing!

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          💕

          Reply
  11. Pepper Avatar
    Pepper

    Hoping a few days away from riding will help your leg as well. Time to read a good book, maybe? 😉

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Well I can still go to the barn and see Biasini and give him him some carrots. My leg needs some strengthening and
      i have exercises from my physio to do while I’m not riding. I am also reading a good book….a biography of Roger Federer. Thanks so much for your comment.

      Reply
      1. Pepper Avatar
        Pepper

        Sounds like you’ll be staying busy, Anne. I am sure Biasini is always glad to see you. 😊

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          Yes he is. I usually see him every day so he would wonder what was going on if I didn’t turn up.

          Reply
  12. Emma Cownie Avatar
    Emma Cownie

    I hope the operation went well – my father had skin cancer on his ear, removed several years ago. Now has to wear a hat in the sun. No problems. I hope you will be the same!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      It was a very short and simple removal of the spot. I always wear a hat and sunscreen as well here in Florida. The damage was done when I was a kid and sunscreen was not around then. Thanks for commenting Emma.

      Reply
  13. whippetwisdom Avatar
    whippetwisdom

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and a blessed weekend dear Anne 🌺 xxx

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Xenia it was just a very small surgery so I am well on the way to recovery now.

      Reply
      1. whippetwisdom Avatar
        whippetwisdom

        That’s great to hear 💖 xxx

        Reply
  14. Michele Lee Avatar
    Michele Lee

    Love the title of your post, Anne. Always a treat to watch your videos. Wishing you a speedy recovery. 🌻

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you it was just a tiny surgery so I am already well on the mend!

      Reply
  15. susiesopinions Avatar
    susiesopinions

    I have a month without boxing/lifting, because of my cataracts. Don’t you hate it when you are so restricted 😩

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Well for me it is only a week in total so I can’t complain too much. Hang in there Susie it will be worth it in the end.

      Reply
      1. susiesopinions Avatar
        susiesopinions

        I am doing lots of walking and dancing 💃

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          Dance on!

          Reply
  16. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
    Suzette Benjamin

    Prayers for healing to you Anne. Have a good weekend.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you I appreciate your support.

      Reply
      1. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
        Suzette Benjamin

        You are most welcome. Peace.

        Reply

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