xluvbugx

4th lesson

2004-10-03T17:12:21Z

Fourth Lesson,
The fourth lesson was fun at first but then i got frusterated with myself. I got reigns finally and learned how to turn and control the horse. Then i did some trotting. Finally at the end, Leslie set up a obstacle course that i was suppose to trot around. Trotting, Steering, Heals down, head up, leg aids, around the barrels, over the pyramid - PLUS i was on Ebony who is a very stubborn QH. So i ended up trotting and then ebony would walk, and i'd have to get her going again. Over the pyramid she would halt, and then i'd have to get her to go, but she ended up walking over it and knocking a pole down because she was too lazy to lift her leg all the way. It was very challenging and i got frustrated with myself that i couldn't keep her going, or keep the dirt on my boots. Leslie was very nice and said i did extremely well for a beginner riding stubborn Ebony, but I felt like i could've done better.

Next lesson i'm getting a break and riding Amanda who is MUCH more responsive. I'll gladly accept the break.

Posting is a breeze now, thankfully, and the sitting trot is getting there. Its hard to do sitting trot on ebony because she is soo bouncy. Amanda is MUCH smoother.

3rd lesson

2004-09-18T19:03:25Z

Okay today was my third riding lesson and I really progressed. We left the house and the weather was really windy and just terrible because of the hurricane Ivan. When we got there, everything was going fine, and I tacked up Amanda. As soon as Amanda was tacked it poured. So I learned how to groom the mane and then the rain stopped. So as soon as the rain stopped we hopped on Amanda. I spent 5 minutes on Posting and I feel like I really did well. Then we spoke a little about sitting trot. So as I tried that, it was alot less work for me then the posting and I think I did it fairly well. My legs were in good position, but not good enough, So i did it stirrupless and it was great. Then I learned how to start and stop the horse with my seat. We're still not using any reigns which I think is a real benefit as I'm learning how to start, and stop the horse by using cues with my balance and flexibility. (hmm sounds like a car doesn't it? start and stop.. hehe) So I would get Amanda going at a sitting trot, then I'd stop her, and make her trot once again. It really worked well. The rain started up again and it got really windy, so after about 40 minutes riding we went back in. After untacking, I groomed Amanda and picked her hooves. I stalled her once again because of the nasty weather and she was very happy to recieve the extra carrot and attention.

Can't wait to go at it again!!

xluvbugx @ 2004-09-04T14:56:00

2004-09-04T18:56:47Z

09-04-04

The lesson was early today. We left the house at around 5:45 am, stopped for coffee, and got to the farm by 6:45 am. Then Leslie basically told me what to do and I had to do it all by myself, which really was great. I took ebony out of her stall, led her and then tied her up while I groomed her. After grooming Leslie once again demonstrated how to put the saddle on in the correct position, so it is just behind her shoulder blade to allow free movement. After fitting the saddle and giving her a carrot, I led her out. I didn't have TOO much trouble this time, she pretty much was content with the carrot so she was a good girl. We did the exercises, with me touching my toes, her ears, laying back. My legs moved a little, but it is normal for a beginner. After the stretches, We worked on posting. Man am I getting better. I was able to post for several strides before bouncing for a few minutes. Our ultimate goal os for me to be able to post without holding on to the buck strap, and with my arms outstretched. That was a little hard as I felt really unbalanced when I let go for the first time. But as the lesson progressed, I was able to post hands free for several strides. The lounge line makes me a little nervous when i'm not holding on with my hands, because I can feel ebony's body curve and I am afraid that I will fall. But, as expected, I did not fall and managed to get posting pretty well. I do feel my feet move just a little but that is from being a beginner and unbalanced. After the posting, Leslie taught me the aids with reigns. I still have not used real reigns, as she does not want me pulling at the bit and forcing ebony to clench her teeth un-necessarily. I also learned how to give foot commands, and was able to keep ebony trotting for two full circles without her stopping in between. After the lesson was over, I dismounted, led her to the barn, and groomed. She happily munched on the carrot, and was very cooperative in going back into the stall.

In all we had a great time and i can't wait for my next lesson on the 18th!

xluvbugx @ 2004-09-04T14:53:00

2004-09-04T18:55:18Z

8-28-2004 - First riding lesson.

We got to Pleasure Horse Farm and had to wait a while since we were early. We watched some kids get their lessons and boy did they make it look easy. Well when it was finally my turn, I listened to Leslie, my riding instructor, teach me how to put the tack on and where to stand when i'm near a horse. Ebony was gorgeous :) Then she taught me how to lead and I had to lead ebony to the ring. Well she led me. She head butted me and then grazed. I was trying to communicate with her but she just wouldn't have it. So the instructor got her moving and finally we were in the ring. There I learned about the stirrups and how to measure them. When I mounted, with a mounting block, I was careful not to kick her in the butt. So we started with simple walking. I thought this was EASY!. So then we did a lounge line and I had to trot. I was bouncing all over the place. I tried to post correctly but it wasn't working. I was either pushing myself up and not letting the horse do it for me or I was just bouncing. After that experience, I dismounted and the led her back up to the barn. At the barn, i was responsible to taking off her tack, and then Leslie taught me how to groom. The scariest part was picking up her feet in order to take the rocks and stuff off her hooves. She would lift them then quickly put them back down. But i got used to it after a while. I go again in two weeks :D