Riding just using ‘baby’ aids.What does this mean? In the lesson with Belinda Trussell that I watched last week Belinda often told Lynsey Rowan to just use a ‘baby’ aid with Biasini. What I understood this to mean was to use a very small and light aid. If you get the response you want then release. If you do not get the response you want you can increase the aid.
Also Belinda told Lynsey to use her knees for the half halts and not the reins. I could see when Lynsey did this as I could not see any engagement of the reins of the double bridle but I could clearly see Biasini half halting and increasing his engagement.
The arena has mirrors across one end and also large rectangular mirrors on the sides of the other end.
Above you can see that Lynsey can check the bend in Biasini’s body as she rides him into the corner. The mirrors also help riders know if they have enough angle in a movement like the shoulder-in.
It was a hot day with the temperature above 30 Celsius. But Biasini does not seem to mind the heat and works on through it. But Coach Belinda gave Lynsey and Biasini lots of walk breaks.
I enjoyed watching and made a mental note that when I am back to riding I must remember the ‘baby’ aids.
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