I am not the most coordinated person. So, the following are a few things I need to remember:
- Legs forward to stop and use pelvis
- Cue for lope by doing the ballerina move (bring foot straight up toward the mental butt)
- STOP using your hands to turn the horse- she does fine with leg pressure only!
- Use your calf pressure (not heel) to turn but keep body straight
- To back up: keep my body straight, make sure horse is squared up, ask for reverse with legs forward and light pressure on mouth, stop after a few steps back and wait- teaching patience
- Practice figure 8's with leg pressure- gradually make smaller until only pivoting
- Practice lope transitions by squaring up, ask for lope, slide stop, back up, repeat. Remember: ballerina move while putting opposite toe out. This transition teaches horse to use back end and collect.
- PRACTICE!
Lessons have been so much fun. I am really enjoying it. Non-horsey people keep asking me why I need lessons. They thought I new how to ride since I have had horses for 20 years. They just don't get it. It is an adventure and I want to be better at it. It is really great to find a teacher who has the skills and talent to communicate it. Did I mention this is fun!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A year in review...
It has been nearly a year since my last post. So much changes in such a small amount of time. The last time I wrote of a stifle injury in Diesel. It healed without any issues. He has stayed pasture sound since then. And by pasture sound, I mean he is lazy and spoiled, knee deep in grass (even all winter), and has spurts of mad energy where he runs around like a fool- all in fun. He runs circles around the tractor as I shred and STAYS SOUND. Despite this, I have not attempted to ride him since my last post. I have no grounds for not working him other than he intimidates me. But, away from pasture-less time at the trainer with daily workouts, he is not "hot". He lunges like a champ responding to voice cues alone. He's bored and he needs to be ridden. He enjoys it. I have entertained the idea of selling him to someone who can appreciate him. It is a tough decision.
On the other hand, Becca is my go-to ride. I trust her in any situation and her ride feels right. We rode in the Fair Parade last October. She acted like she did it every day. As far as I know, it was her first public event. Then, in December, we rode in the nighttime lighted parade. She had ribbons in her tail and lights around her neck. She did well but the ride in the dark with screaming kids and flashing lights were alot for her to handle. Toward the end, she began to lose her cool and she did the one thing she never does- she kicked at another horse who crowded her. Looking back, a nighttime ride with sirens and lights may have been a bit too much, too soon. She has stayed sound but is uncomfortable loping a circle. So I don't ask her to. No problemo. She has no problems on long trail rides. I've really been enjoying her.
My dear, sweet Prissy is doing well. She is pasture sound and often runs in for dinner. I try to ride her a few times a month bareback in a halter. We can only walk but it is such a blessing to still have this time with her. She is definitely my once in a lifetime horse. Every moment with her is special.
Anabelle, the donkey, is now halter broke, trailers, and lunges. This summer I plan to get on her. This is a first for me. I have never even wanted to break a horse. But I have her and the rule here is you have to be trained. This should be fun! She is most definitely NOT a horse.
With all of these beasts, I still have one more project. I have been taking lessons with a friend who has cutting horses. She is very good at teaching- I have learned more in just a few lessons with her than with anyone since my hunter trainer in high school. If I had known her back then I imagine I would have had real trouble choosing college and not horses. She has amazing horses and I have fallen for a very well bred mare. I am relearning cues and body position to suit this horse and discipline and having a blast doing it. I plan to take her home this summer to just ride... to just ride a very well broke animal who performs beautifully. She is light and responsive and feels solid under me. It is a great feeling. So far I have only ridden her on her home property. I hope my confidence in her holds true everywhere. And that I can save a load of money to make her mine.
This all sounds great but the last year has been a tough one. I have been busy as our local youth rodeo association secretary and my teaching job has been tough. Tough is an understatement. There are no words for how rough teaching in Texas has become. The horses are my sanity. Like everyone, I am struggling to juggle work, my increasingly serious relationship with Kevin, daily animal care, property upkeep, and my increasingly numerous rides. Kevin has been very understanding. He spends alot of free time fishing while I handle the aforementioned list. And he is a very talented carpenter and handyman. I have a fancy new shed to prove it. Needless to say, my life is blessed.
On the other hand, Becca is my go-to ride. I trust her in any situation and her ride feels right. We rode in the Fair Parade last October. She acted like she did it every day. As far as I know, it was her first public event. Then, in December, we rode in the nighttime lighted parade. She had ribbons in her tail and lights around her neck. She did well but the ride in the dark with screaming kids and flashing lights were alot for her to handle. Toward the end, she began to lose her cool and she did the one thing she never does- she kicked at another horse who crowded her. Looking back, a nighttime ride with sirens and lights may have been a bit too much, too soon. She has stayed sound but is uncomfortable loping a circle. So I don't ask her to. No problemo. She has no problems on long trail rides. I've really been enjoying her.
My dear, sweet Prissy is doing well. She is pasture sound and often runs in for dinner. I try to ride her a few times a month bareback in a halter. We can only walk but it is such a blessing to still have this time with her. She is definitely my once in a lifetime horse. Every moment with her is special.
Anabelle, the donkey, is now halter broke, trailers, and lunges. This summer I plan to get on her. This is a first for me. I have never even wanted to break a horse. But I have her and the rule here is you have to be trained. This should be fun! She is most definitely NOT a horse.
With all of these beasts, I still have one more project. I have been taking lessons with a friend who has cutting horses. She is very good at teaching- I have learned more in just a few lessons with her than with anyone since my hunter trainer in high school. If I had known her back then I imagine I would have had real trouble choosing college and not horses. She has amazing horses and I have fallen for a very well bred mare. I am relearning cues and body position to suit this horse and discipline and having a blast doing it. I plan to take her home this summer to just ride... to just ride a very well broke animal who performs beautifully. She is light and responsive and feels solid under me. It is a great feeling. So far I have only ridden her on her home property. I hope my confidence in her holds true everywhere. And that I can save a load of money to make her mine.
This all sounds great but the last year has been a tough one. I have been busy as our local youth rodeo association secretary and my teaching job has been tough. Tough is an understatement. There are no words for how rough teaching in Texas has become. The horses are my sanity. Like everyone, I am struggling to juggle work, my increasingly serious relationship with Kevin, daily animal care, property upkeep, and my increasingly numerous rides. Kevin has been very understanding. He spends alot of free time fishing while I handle the aforementioned list. And he is a very talented carpenter and handyman. I have a fancy new shed to prove it. Needless to say, my life is blessed.
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