Michaela Hempen

Transitions are where a horse shows you the truth about her balance. From one gait to the next, down to halt, within a gait, or from one lateral movement into another — that’s where the imbalances surface. Nail a good one and it’s worth celebrating. It also doesn’t mean you’ll land the next. To be … Weiterlesen

In my last email I told you the turn away from the fence still needed building. I went looking for the answer. I didn’t find what I expected. The bend was better going into this session. The preparation from the half turn in reverse was working — Blondie was leaving the fence with more softness, … Weiterlesen

In my last email I told you I’d know what I’m clicking.I found out — but the path went back before it went forward. Going into this session I had a plan. Continue the shoulder-in work. Build the bend. Work toward those left turns. But something had been sitting with me from the previous ride. … Weiterlesen

This is where the work lives. After Anja reviewed my video, she pointed out there was too much angle and Blondie needed more left bend. So I tried to follow that guidance. Less angle, more bend. When Blondie goes straight instead of bent—even though we’re moving sideways—it’s not shoulder-in. It’s a leg yield. A different … Weiterlesen