ANY IDEAS?????

The dogs were not impressed.

The above photos are of my set-up. I had two neighbors drop by. Norma brought her sister, niece and nephew, and their new pup. They asked about training tips for the pup, and mentioned they'd like a portrait when she is full-grown. She is only 9 weeks now ... hmmm.
There was absolutely NO response to the signs I put out on the street.

Stages of collection - increasing response, over time with training, of the horse to the rider's aides. The aides are your seat, legs and hands, basically, and how you balance and use them.

This is a graphic visualization of the weight-shift of a horse, over time with training.

A few people asked for a bit more clarification of "on the bit". I could go on forever about horses. I'll restrain myself. Essentially, the purpose of training is to get the horse to shift its engine, from front-wheel to back-end drive. All the powerful muscles are at the hind end, and through training, we encourage the horse to use and develop these muscles. It is gymnastics/yoga for horses.

As for the "show", it was disappointing. I am running out of sly and cunning plans to get people to notice my art. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

As always, your comments are most welcome.

A Day for Frogs, Ducks and PAINTING

This photo of Bruno being shod lends itself to the saturated w/w lifting.

Couldn't find my old sketch, so I've done another one.

First w/w wash, with some lifting while wet.

Beautiful morning shot of some rhododendrons in the garden.

Little did I know I would need a color-coded road map - still working on it.

Once again, it's too wet for riding outside, so I guess I'll just have to paint. Actually, Bruno has been doing phenomenally well. He seems to like being ridden off seat-bones and legs. It gets very abstruse in a riderly sort of way. All horses have a preference as to how they like to be ridden - the hands, the leg, the seat-bones and weight, or a combination. Right now, the lad seems most responsive when I don't muddle and nitpick with his mouth; he just hums along on weight shifts of my seat-bones, and variable calf pressure. OK ... OK ... you have to be there ...

As always, I love to hear from you!