The Return to Riding Report Card, weeks 6 and 7

[lagilman]

Some of you may have noticed that I missed last week's report. Some of you may have been thankful. Tough, we're back.

Week 6:

Not much to report this week, actually, mainly because I went with my head full of negotiations and counteroffers and whatnot, meaning that I may have been ON the horse, but I wasn't WITH the horse. Very frustrating -- nothing felt right, nothing was working, and I finally ended up riding sans stirrups so my legs at least would remember how to curl and grip. Head and body. You can't bring one and not the other and expect to make it work. Knowing why I was distracted made me feel not any the less annoyed with myself.

Week 7:

I arrived a little early, and watched one of the trainers working her horse on the lunge. I sat there with my eyes closed and listened to the hoofbeats, trying to determine when he changed gait, and to what. The feel is different for each horse, but the rhythm can still clue you in.

Then back to work, and so much better than last week. The moment I picked up the reins I could feel it, and C could see it. My leg went into position, my shoulders opened, my hands were raised and steady...everything was clicking. C had me working transitions -- going from walk to trot to walk to trot to canter to trot as smoothly as possible, without Sancho having to wonder what we were going to do because I had already told him. It's constant changes, always moving forward and keeping the pony's wee herbivore brain engaged with my physical commands. Legs on, reins short but easy, butt centered, body relaxed and back, and always moving forward. No room for anything else in the brain but what you're doing.

My main problem with the canter has always been my initial urge to lean forward with the horse's movement, rather than relaxing back. It's not quite licked yet, but C pointed out that my recovery time is much better, and by the end of the lesson we weren't dropping the transition at all.

And did I mention that my legs went into and stayed in position? It's amazing the difference a pair of half-chaps can make, just in how right something can feel.

Of course, it wasn't a perfect lesson. About ten minutes in, Sancho heard something outside he didn't like, and did an inward curl-and-step to get away from it, without consulting me. I landed on my side in the dirt, still holding the reins, Sancho standing next to me looking down like "ooops. how come you down there, boss?"

I got up and brushed off, deeply annoyed with myself, not for getting thrown (it happens) but for not landing on my feet once I felt myself coming off. C gave me a lift back into the saddle, and the lesson continued.

As C said: "and what did we learn today? Me: "deep heels keep you in the saddle."

C was quite pleased with my work today, though -- even with the tumble. So am I, actually. I could feel Sancho and I working together more often, and the mental and physical knowledge is starting to gel a bit more. Even the fall was a learning experience, and one that I learned from immediately.

And I have this lovely rein-length bruise running from pointer to wrist on my right hand that I suspect is gonna hurt like a sumbitch tomorrow...

Comments

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

thinking about it, it's good that you can recognize that Sancho didn't throw you deliberately, but simply caught you by surprise. Some people could get angry & take it out on the horse for that kind of surprise accident.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I hope your bruise doesn't keep you from typing!

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

You got back on the pony--- that's what counts.

[insert wise words of equine wisdom here] <--- I won't bother, you're an ol' pro, you just forgot that you were one. ;)

[lagilman]

Oh, if he had taken, whickering (snickering) off for the other side of the ring, and stood there looking over his shoulder, then I would have been annoyed. When the horse immediately stops, having pretty much forgotten what it was that spooked him the moment it's over, and stands rock-steady, waiting for the human to get back on and resume operations.... *shrug* He did something unexpected. That's what animals do, sometimes. Getting angry would be not only pointless, but counterproductive.

(I save anger for people, who generally have a little more self-awareness than horses)

[lagilman]

Yeah, I was worried about that too. Tylenol and arnica seem to have done the trick, though. My hand is sore and bruised, but working, as is my shoulder. All else is unscathed.

[lagilman]

y'always get back on the pony. Otherwise pony gets confused.

I'll admit I had some hesitation when we rode back along the area where he spooked, but we changed direction and I asked him for a sitting trot, which we both like, and the moment passed for both of us.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

*(I save anger for people, who generally have a little more self-awareness than horses)*

Sometimes, if you are lucky.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

Go ye instanter and acquire some Traumeel, or other arnica. It will help tremendously with those bruises.

Yay on the good lesson!

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

Ah. I see you already have arnica. Neevvvvvvveeeeeeer mind.

[deire.livejournal.com]

Heh. Syd's response was usually, "Oh gods, the SADDLE IS STILL THERE AND ABOUT TO DISEMBOWEL ME" or "FREE AT LAST :gallop:"