Dumb ass here had a major lapse in judgment when I underestimated how much room it would take to swing my truck and the trailer so I wouldn't have to back it, and would be heading the right way to leave. I nicked the edge of a stack of hog wire and destroyed one of the trailer tires. The horses did NOT like the sound of that tire popping and the air hissing out of it. Mr. Fry had been visiting a friend nearby and showed up at the end of my lesson to say howdy. My hero changed my tire and didn't give me a hard time about it.
The former occupant of the stall left some grain.
Two hens on bug patrol outside Jaz's stall.
These guys were in the stall next to Jaz.Haha, Pokey! No excuses today!
R-E-L-A-X
Lean back, sit deepIt was already hot at 9 a.m. There was enough of a breeze that it could have been an issue for Pokes, but it wasn't. Without the goats in the adjacent round pen or other horses in the arena, he was calm, engaged, and seemed to be enjoying himself. I had a GREAT lesson. We worked on walk and trot — lots of trot. Umm, wish I had worn my tights rather than those jeans.
Only now do I realize how much fear I've harbored since my rodeo incident last May. We were trotting up a storm when everything went to hell that day. Now, every time we go any faster than a walk, I tense up, which throws me off balance. Heather is patiently helping me through it. Because I was able to relax, so did Pokey.
It felt like I was practically lying on my horse's back because my tension has been causing me to hunch that far forward. We still have a long way to go, but I feel like we overcame a major hurdle. However, I can still only get his nice shuffle gait as a momentary downward transition between trot and walk. I want to learn how to get him into that gait and keep him in it. It's so smooth and the perfect speed. Heather says it's going to take speed and impulsion to get that from him, so that's what we're working on. >sigh< Quaker, where are you when I need you, bud?
We did yo-yos and Heather helped me soften my hands to get him to back without so much pressure on his mouth. I even got him to do a sidepass. Not a pretty one, but he got it.
I was so proud of him, and he ate up every bit of praise Heather and I gave him. He was still looking for "good boys" when we got home hours later. I'm a happy bunny.
Only now do I realize how much fear I've harbored since my rodeo incident last May. We were trotting up a storm when everything went to hell that day. Now, every time we go any faster than a walk, I tense up, which throws me off balance. Heather is patiently helping me through it. Because I was able to relax, so did Pokey.
It felt like I was practically lying on my horse's back because my tension has been causing me to hunch that far forward. We still have a long way to go, but I feel like we overcame a major hurdle. However, I can still only get his nice shuffle gait as a momentary downward transition between trot and walk. I want to learn how to get him into that gait and keep him in it. It's so smooth and the perfect speed. Heather says it's going to take speed and impulsion to get that from him, so that's what we're working on. >sigh< Quaker, where are you when I need you, bud?
We did yo-yos and Heather helped me soften my hands to get him to back without so much pressure on his mouth. I even got him to do a sidepass. Not a pretty one, but he got it.
I was so proud of him, and he ate up every bit of praise Heather and I gave him. He was still looking for "good boys" when we got home hours later. I'm a happy bunny.
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10 comments:
Amazing and wonderful when that happens! The days that feel like that help to make up for the ones that don't
I know how hard it is to relax after a bad fall. My trainer often tells me "Your horse is bomb proof - now you need to be"
I'm so glad you had an awesome ride!
An awesome day for you for sure. Mr. Fry sounds like one cool dude. :) Loved all the pictures!
No, not a bunny. Bunnies are fearful and can even die of fright.
You are an eagle, soaring together with your pony, Poco.
Sounds like Poco suffers from ADHD if he is so easily distracted. I've learned that the easiest way to nip that in the bud is to RIDE your horse and not just be a passenger.
I have to remind myself of that all the time, because the main reason I ride is to head out on the trails to relax and enjoy nature. So I find that my mind tends to wander while I'm enjoying myself.
Apache will sometimes remind me that she's still underneath me if she thinks I've just become a passenger. lol!
Bummer about the trailer/tire accident. Mr. Fry is a keeper!
Congrats on the great lesson!
~Lisa
Oh, I can so identify with not relaxing at anything over a walk! I also find that in addition to being tense, by legs are not in the best of shape, so I tend to wobble. My poor horses and how they must suffer!
I need to find a trainer like you have!
I'm glad you have a good coach. I have been working through my fear of the canter, and with a good, patient instructor, am making progress. I know how great even a small step in the right direction can feel. Good for you!
Good for you that you were able to have a great lesson.
Sounds like you're making great progress! :)
I've been reading but not really commenting... due to lack of internet I was on my Blackberry a LOT as it was lol
I just wanted to weigh in on your last couple posts. IMO it sounds like you have a pretty good game plan. You have options if things don't work out, you have support if you need it, and you have experience with other horses from your friend's breeding program. Also I think you're selling yourself short, I think you have more experience than you're giving yourself credit for. And as important you also have common sense. :)
(as for me, I have internet again!! **happydance**)
Oh girl I SO remember that! It was soon after I had become a follower! So very scary when something like that happens! I am so proud of you for your determination to win against those nerves!!
Yeay ~ gotta love it! Glad you had a great ride, they are priceless. You two look great together in the photos, especially the second one.
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