Of course, I mean posting here, not in the saddle :-P
I've been riding every week since I first started back, still on AJ. He's not nearly as bad now that I am used to how uncomfortable he is and have sort of figured out how to sit to him. He's a lot of work, though, which I think is doubled by the fact that he's so uncomfortable!
I've apparently been switched from L to C, which is fine. I showed up one Thursday night and L had no one for me to ride because her lesson horses had just been adjusted by the chiropractor and her attempt to reach me on Facebook went into my "other" folder. I was kind of annoyed, but at the same time, I do really appreciate that she takes care of her lesson horses, and gives them time off when they need it. So, I made sure she had my cell phone number to avoid that situation moving forward, and she was willing to reschedule me for that Sunday, since she wasn't showing. She texted me the next night to say she had to look at a horse for a client on Sunday morning, but I could ride with C if I still wanted a lesson. I said, that's fine. And, I've been riding with C ever since. There's not a whole lot of difference between them, other than C being more soft-spoken. Doesn't bother me, as long as I get to ride and neither of them is like S was!
Anyway, the last several lessons, I've been doing low (2') courses. Nothing too strenuous, just trying to get my eye back, so I can find my distances, my seat back, so I'm not in front or behind as he jumps, and, of course, maintaining the same speed and impulsion throughout.
That one is tough with AJ.
I have never ridden a horse that could stay at the exact same speed while shortening his stride enough to add one at the last minute quite as well as AJ does. It's kind of bizarre. I can have my distance and lock on, and he'll throw in a stride without changing anything. He can do a 6 stride line in 5, 6 or 7 strides without changing anything.
This past Thursday, that was all we worked on through a 6 stride line from crossrail to crossrail...keep him moving forward enough that I get my stride count no matter what. So, we were almost at a hand gallop coming out of the corner to the line and then I had to kick him through the middle of the jumps as well, to keep him from adding. It was kind of fun, lol. I know he's going to take care of himself, and as a result, he's going to take care of me. We ended up doing the line in 5 and 6 strides in both directions, and I definitely got the point of the lesson -- to remind me that it's easier to stay with the horse if they are taking your distance, instead of their own!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
AJ the back-breaker: Lessons 3 and 4
Last Thursday, I rode AJ for the first time. He's an OTTB, bay with a wide blaze and about 16hh. He's got some sort of skin condition that they've had checked out by multiple vets and college research programs -- all of them have been left shaking their heads, but he isn't bothered by it. It's just kind of unsightly.
AJ also has a stereotypical lesson horse attitude and once we were in the ring, he began testing me right off the bat...seriously, he swung his butt away from the mounting block! I got after him and he stopped moving so I could get on, but then once we walked off, I had to really kick him to keep him going. We'd done a couple of laps at the walk and I was already getting tired!
Finally, L handed me a crop and then asked me to start trotting. As I kicked him forward, she said, btw, he's very uncomfortable. She was NOT kidding.
I've been spoiled, Promise was very comfortable and had long, even gaits that were pretty to look at and very nice to ride. The first horse L put me on, Knight, was also pretty comfortable, despite being a bit wonky in one direction.
AJ...is a back-breaker. The trot isn't as bad as the canter, but it's very flat and since I switched to hunter many years ago, I've been taught to let the horse post for you, allowing the stride to give you some impulsion on the up beat. It's hard to post to him, with very little "up"! And, his canter is kind of side to side and front to back.
Ouch. I could barely walk when I got off of him and for a few days afterwards! But, it was a great ab workout!
Anyway, we went around for a while and she didn't have me doing the UUD/DDU exercises, but had me do some 2-point to stretch a bit, and then we started cantering ground poles, set about 6 strides apart, on the 2 long sides of the arena.
She commented this week on my lack of stamina, in comparison to last week. She said, you just kept going and going and I commented to C that you were going to be sore! I told her that when he broke the canter in the corner a few times coming out of the line of poles, I knew it was my fault and I got mad at myself and wanted to make him do it right.
This week, she had me doing UUD again and that lack of upward motion really affected my ability to do it. It is hard to begin with! She ended up having me do 2-point at the trot for a bit before letting me go back to posting trot.
And then she had me canter some poles a few times and then had me do a pole to an 18" cross rail, and finally, had me do a different 18" cross rail to a little 18" vertical.
The first time over the pole-cross rail combo, I definitely got too far ahead of him and even with his flat style of jumping, it felt like he almost jumped me out of the tack. Second time around was better, when L told me to stay up and back and that I did not need to jump in 2-point with AJ. She said just give with my hands and wait a little longer to come out of the saddle, and a little longer to come back into it after the jump. Each round got better, and the only trouble I had with the cross rail to vertical was the distance.
AJ has this uncanny ability to stay at the same speed, yet lengthen or shorten his stride. I was kicking him on, trying to get 6, and he did it in 7. :-| I appreciate that he's a lesson horse and is saving his own butt (and will likely save mine, too!) but, it's still kind of annoying! LOL
AJ also has a stereotypical lesson horse attitude and once we were in the ring, he began testing me right off the bat...seriously, he swung his butt away from the mounting block! I got after him and he stopped moving so I could get on, but then once we walked off, I had to really kick him to keep him going. We'd done a couple of laps at the walk and I was already getting tired!
Finally, L handed me a crop and then asked me to start trotting. As I kicked him forward, she said, btw, he's very uncomfortable. She was NOT kidding.
I've been spoiled, Promise was very comfortable and had long, even gaits that were pretty to look at and very nice to ride. The first horse L put me on, Knight, was also pretty comfortable, despite being a bit wonky in one direction.
AJ...is a back-breaker. The trot isn't as bad as the canter, but it's very flat and since I switched to hunter many years ago, I've been taught to let the horse post for you, allowing the stride to give you some impulsion on the up beat. It's hard to post to him, with very little "up"! And, his canter is kind of side to side and front to back.
Ouch. I could barely walk when I got off of him and for a few days afterwards! But, it was a great ab workout!
Anyway, we went around for a while and she didn't have me doing the UUD/DDU exercises, but had me do some 2-point to stretch a bit, and then we started cantering ground poles, set about 6 strides apart, on the 2 long sides of the arena.
She commented this week on my lack of stamina, in comparison to last week. She said, you just kept going and going and I commented to C that you were going to be sore! I told her that when he broke the canter in the corner a few times coming out of the line of poles, I knew it was my fault and I got mad at myself and wanted to make him do it right.
This week, she had me doing UUD again and that lack of upward motion really affected my ability to do it. It is hard to begin with! She ended up having me do 2-point at the trot for a bit before letting me go back to posting trot.
And then she had me canter some poles a few times and then had me do a pole to an 18" cross rail, and finally, had me do a different 18" cross rail to a little 18" vertical.
The first time over the pole-cross rail combo, I definitely got too far ahead of him and even with his flat style of jumping, it felt like he almost jumped me out of the tack. Second time around was better, when L told me to stay up and back and that I did not need to jump in 2-point with AJ. She said just give with my hands and wait a little longer to come out of the saddle, and a little longer to come back into it after the jump. Each round got better, and the only trouble I had with the cross rail to vertical was the distance.
AJ has this uncanny ability to stay at the same speed, yet lengthen or shorten his stride. I was kicking him on, trying to get 6, and he did it in 7. :-| I appreciate that he's a lesson horse and is saving his own butt (and will likely save mine, too!) but, it's still kind of annoying! LOL
Friday, October 10, 2014
Lesson #2
This week's lesson was very similar to last week's. I did quite a bit of trotting and cantering around, and some ground poles at the trot and canter, as well.
The main difference was she had me doing some strengthening stuff at the trot...like down-down-up (DDU) posting or up-up-down (UUD) posting. Ouch! DDU is currently much easier than UUD. But, I was a hurtin' puppy when I dismounted. I especially noticed the difference in my hips...I felt a little bow-legged for a couple of hours after, but this morning, I'm about half as sore as I was last week. (As a side note, I've got to get back to yoga and get some of my flexibility back!)
She wants to switch me to a different horse next week, since Knight technically doesn't jump. His gaits are little wonky heading to the right, so I don't know if he's arthritic or what. But, she seems to think that moving to the next lesson horse in line won't be a problem, so next week, I'll be riding AJ. Apparently he can be either sassy or lazy, depending on his mood, so it should be interesting! :)
I saw this on Facebook this morning, and it's pretty accurate, other than the cowboy hat:
The main difference was she had me doing some strengthening stuff at the trot...like down-down-up (DDU) posting or up-up-down (UUD) posting. Ouch! DDU is currently much easier than UUD. But, I was a hurtin' puppy when I dismounted. I especially noticed the difference in my hips...I felt a little bow-legged for a couple of hours after, but this morning, I'm about half as sore as I was last week. (As a side note, I've got to get back to yoga and get some of my flexibility back!)
She wants to switch me to a different horse next week, since Knight technically doesn't jump. His gaits are little wonky heading to the right, so I don't know if he's arthritic or what. But, she seems to think that moving to the next lesson horse in line won't be a problem, so next week, I'll be riding AJ. Apparently he can be either sassy or lazy, depending on his mood, so it should be interesting! :)
I saw this on Facebook this morning, and it's pretty accurate, other than the cowboy hat:
Monday, October 6, 2014
First lesson in over a year
Last Thursday, I busted my butt all day at work to be sure I could leave at 5 to head over to the barn for my lesson. (Leaving at 5 has not been the norm lately!)
I ran downstairs, changed and then headed that way and I was pleasantly surprised that it only took me about 45 minutes. The map said 35 minutes from my office, but you never know. Florida traffic is pretty bad.
I got there a few minutes before 6, and walked around looking at the horses, to see if I recognized anyone. Then, I went to stand by the arena to watch the lesson going on. Let's call the instructor L. She apparently recognized me from when I boarded Promise there, and said hi, then asked me if I'd been doing any jumping lately. I laughed and said, "I haven't even been on a horse in over a year." She said, "Ok, so no jumping tonight."
She sent a woman (C) over to show me which horse to get and what tack to use. They put me on a chubby little bay gelding named Knight. As I brushed him and tacked him up, I chatted with C a little bit, and then we walked back to the arena, where she opened the gate for us and then helped me adjust my stirrups once I was on.
I walked around while L finished up with the lesson and then she had me start trotting. Good thing I've been keeping up with my cardio! My calves were burning but I wasn't having any trouble breathing or answering her questions as we buzzed around! She said she really loved my position, which is something I'm not used to hearing lately.
I definitely start to tip forward as I get tired, but I've been working out 3-4 times a week and doing cardio most of those days as well, trying to keep whatever strength up that I can, as well as trying to slim down. It's definitely made a difference.
But, when I was riding with S, I felt like she was really nit-picking my position, and that I was at the stage where my lessons should have been mostly about getting on the horse and riding and getting my endurance and strength back (and let's face it, my confidence too, since I'd been out of it for so long) and then about tweaking my position little by little as I started to get stronger.
Anyway, L told me I could walk for a bit because she wanted me to canter in both directions before I got too tired. So, we kept chatting as I walked around and then she had me gather my reins and canter to the left. Knight is pretty comfortable for a lesson horse, although he's lazy, so required a lot of leg to keep him going.
We cantered in both directions and then she wanted me to go through some ground poles at the trot and canter.
I was so excited to do so much in my first lesson! I felt really secure on the horse and my position felt pretty solid, especially considering it's been so long. I was really sore, and I am still a little ouchy even now -- but I was really impressed with myself. Especially because I kept thinking back to my first lesson with S, and she only had me doing walk trot. And, several months had passed before she had me doing ground poles.
So, I have my next lesson this Thursday, and hopefully will be able to stick with the day and time, since it works for both of us. I couldn't stop smiling afterwards and I'm actually excited about going back, whereas I was really starting to dread going to S's and riding, that's one of several reasons why I stopped calling her.
Yay!
I ran downstairs, changed and then headed that way and I was pleasantly surprised that it only took me about 45 minutes. The map said 35 minutes from my office, but you never know. Florida traffic is pretty bad.
I got there a few minutes before 6, and walked around looking at the horses, to see if I recognized anyone. Then, I went to stand by the arena to watch the lesson going on. Let's call the instructor L. She apparently recognized me from when I boarded Promise there, and said hi, then asked me if I'd been doing any jumping lately. I laughed and said, "I haven't even been on a horse in over a year." She said, "Ok, so no jumping tonight."
She sent a woman (C) over to show me which horse to get and what tack to use. They put me on a chubby little bay gelding named Knight. As I brushed him and tacked him up, I chatted with C a little bit, and then we walked back to the arena, where she opened the gate for us and then helped me adjust my stirrups once I was on.
I walked around while L finished up with the lesson and then she had me start trotting. Good thing I've been keeping up with my cardio! My calves were burning but I wasn't having any trouble breathing or answering her questions as we buzzed around! She said she really loved my position, which is something I'm not used to hearing lately.
I definitely start to tip forward as I get tired, but I've been working out 3-4 times a week and doing cardio most of those days as well, trying to keep whatever strength up that I can, as well as trying to slim down. It's definitely made a difference.
But, when I was riding with S, I felt like she was really nit-picking my position, and that I was at the stage where my lessons should have been mostly about getting on the horse and riding and getting my endurance and strength back (and let's face it, my confidence too, since I'd been out of it for so long) and then about tweaking my position little by little as I started to get stronger.
Anyway, L told me I could walk for a bit because she wanted me to canter in both directions before I got too tired. So, we kept chatting as I walked around and then she had me gather my reins and canter to the left. Knight is pretty comfortable for a lesson horse, although he's lazy, so required a lot of leg to keep him going.
We cantered in both directions and then she wanted me to go through some ground poles at the trot and canter.
I was so excited to do so much in my first lesson! I felt really secure on the horse and my position felt pretty solid, especially considering it's been so long. I was really sore, and I am still a little ouchy even now -- but I was really impressed with myself. Especially because I kept thinking back to my first lesson with S, and she only had me doing walk trot. And, several months had passed before she had me doing ground poles.
So, I have my next lesson this Thursday, and hopefully will be able to stick with the day and time, since it works for both of us. I couldn't stop smiling afterwards and I'm actually excited about going back, whereas I was really starting to dread going to S's and riding, that's one of several reasons why I stopped calling her.
Yay!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Thursdays in October
It's been a crazy-busy couple of months.
In August, I went to the NC mountains to celebrate my 30th birthday with friends and family. We rented a cabin and stayed there for 8 days. It was drizzly most of the time, but not enough to prevent us from going out and exploring, enjoying the scenery, etc. I really love it up there, no matter what the weather!
On the 9th, the day before my birthday, we got up early to try to beat the incoming rain and went to Grandfather Mountain. When we got to the top, in front of the swinging bridge, I wanted to take a picture with my boyfriend. In the middle of the photo op, he dropped to one knee and proposed to me. I almost fell off the mountain, because I totally was not expecting it! It took me a few seconds to go through the range of emotions, but once I muddled through the shock, I said yes! Other tourists were applauding and shouting congratulations. It was pretty surreal.
The next day was the big 3-0. We made breakfast and then wandered around downtown for a while. Then we had a birthday dinner, cake and presents -- as if proposing wasn't enough, he also paid for 5 riding lessons for me at one of the barns where I used to board Promise!
So, now, with new helmet and new breeches (bought months ago!) in tow, I am going to be taking lessons on Thursdays...my first one is next week, on the 2nd!
In August, I went to the NC mountains to celebrate my 30th birthday with friends and family. We rented a cabin and stayed there for 8 days. It was drizzly most of the time, but not enough to prevent us from going out and exploring, enjoying the scenery, etc. I really love it up there, no matter what the weather!
On the 9th, the day before my birthday, we got up early to try to beat the incoming rain and went to Grandfather Mountain. When we got to the top, in front of the swinging bridge, I wanted to take a picture with my boyfriend. In the middle of the photo op, he dropped to one knee and proposed to me. I almost fell off the mountain, because I totally was not expecting it! It took me a few seconds to go through the range of emotions, but once I muddled through the shock, I said yes! Other tourists were applauding and shouting congratulations. It was pretty surreal.
The next day was the big 3-0. We made breakfast and then wandered around downtown for a while. Then we had a birthday dinner, cake and presents -- as if proposing wasn't enough, he also paid for 5 riding lessons for me at one of the barns where I used to board Promise!
So, now, with new helmet and new breeches (bought months ago!) in tow, I am going to be taking lessons on Thursdays...my first one is next week, on the 2nd!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Helmet Awareness Day sale = new helmet sooner than planned
On Friday, I received an email from SmartPak telling me about their Helmet Awareness Day sale on Saturday, with up to 20% off most helmet brands.
I made a mental note to check it out on Saturday morning and see if the helmet I've been eyeing was included. They were nice enough to send a reminder email on Saturday with the sale code, so I went to the site, and sure enough...my chosen Troxel helmet was 15% off, with free shipping.
Brand new helmet for $50. Score!
It's supposed to be here by this Friday.
I ordered a large and I'm hoping it fits...but if not, they have free return shipping and their customer service is great, so I'm sure I can work with them to find something that works. I have a big head...and I know helmet shopping has always been a bit of a chore, but it's been so long since I bought one that I can't remember if that's just because tack stores don't tend to keep large helmets in stock.
I've honestly never ordered a helmet online because online shopping was not that popular when I bought my current helmet...sheesh, it really *was* forever ago!!
Anyway...1 more step in the right direction. I bought new black schooling breeches a few months ago...so, now I just need cooler weather and a (lesson) horse to ride.
I made a mental note to check it out on Saturday morning and see if the helmet I've been eyeing was included. They were nice enough to send a reminder email on Saturday with the sale code, so I went to the site, and sure enough...my chosen Troxel helmet was 15% off, with free shipping.
Brand new helmet for $50. Score!
It's supposed to be here by this Friday.
I ordered a large and I'm hoping it fits...but if not, they have free return shipping and their customer service is great, so I'm sure I can work with them to find something that works. I have a big head...and I know helmet shopping has always been a bit of a chore, but it's been so long since I bought one that I can't remember if that's just because tack stores don't tend to keep large helmets in stock.
I've honestly never ordered a helmet online because online shopping was not that popular when I bought my current helmet...sheesh, it really *was* forever ago!!
Anyway...1 more step in the right direction. I bought new black schooling breeches a few months ago...so, now I just need cooler weather and a (lesson) horse to ride.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Looking back...and moving forward
Somehow, 2 years have come and gone since I said goodbye to Promise. I am still not feeling particularly eloquent about it -- but, I guess that's just not my strong suit in general! The usual holds true -- I think about her and miss her nearly every day. Some days more than others.
I have not been on or near a horse since September. I keep putting it off and making excuses for why I don't have time to go to or call the place I have in mind. And now, it's gotten too hot to even think about setting up lessons. Part of the hold up, too, is I need to buy a new helmet (I honestly don't know how old mine is and that is saying something) and cannot quite justify the money at the moment.
But, I have a reminder set up on my calendar to do it on my final day of vacation in August, after I am done traveling, and the weather will start thinking about cooling off -- it will be my 30th birthday present to myself to go buy a helmet and set up some lessons for early September. And now it is blog official, too!
In the mean time, I am daydreaming about the day in the not too distant future when I can move out of Florida, hopefully purchase a house with some property and begin my search for my next heart horse.
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| Drawn with the Paper53 app on my iPad last fall |
I have not been on or near a horse since September. I keep putting it off and making excuses for why I don't have time to go to or call the place I have in mind. And now, it's gotten too hot to even think about setting up lessons. Part of the hold up, too, is I need to buy a new helmet (I honestly don't know how old mine is and that is saying something) and cannot quite justify the money at the moment.
 |
| Drawn (from a black and white photo) with charcoal, chalk and conte crayon in college |
But, I have a reminder set up on my calendar to do it on my final day of vacation in August, after I am done traveling, and the weather will start thinking about cooling off -- it will be my 30th birthday present to myself to go buy a helmet and set up some lessons for early September. And now it is blog official, too!
In the mean time, I am daydreaming about the day in the not too distant future when I can move out of Florida, hopefully purchase a house with some property and begin my search for my next heart horse.
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| One of my favorite black and white photos, taken with a Nikon film camera |
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| The full photo from my blog header |
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I finally caught up with my barn owner on Sunday. I heard through the grape vine (another boarder) that she'd taken photos when she foun...
