So, I got here
Made it to Kentucky. My sinuses are still kind of crappy, but not horrible. I slept some on the plane, so I wasn't too tired. And since I've done all this before, getting out of the airport was pretty quick-that, and I picked the right car rental, the others had lines.
I haven't really ridden since December. A little on Elle at a walk, but she's definitely a retired horse. That, plus I'm getting a 2yo. Plus I know the trainer is careful about his training and picky (to train them well from the start so they do well). So, you know, a little nervous.
His girl lunged him, then rode him first, which was good. His trot is a little quick still, but he's a baby. Canter is nice. He seems to listen fairly well. They have draw reins on him because he has an upright neck and a tendency to raise his head. The actual reins are on essentially a cavesson around a halter. No bit-so they learn to ride without getting their mouths yanked on.
Also, they use two whips with little red foam balls at the end (waggles eyebrows, I know what it's for on the ground, but I had no idea how to use two in the saddle). I'm thinking that I can barely use *one* whip well, not to mention *two*. Also, I suck at two reins unless I'm really careful and able to concentrate-I let them slip, and they get uneven.
This is how I started my ride today. lolol Ah, bless.
I get on, and he does not know the legs. Ack. He knows voice commands, and the sticks. Also, I'm too stressed, and too busy, so relax. I do. Whew. (I still don't know if my right shoulder relaxed, I wasn't paying attention, and it usually gets tight in general.)
Then, I'm pulling too much. Keep the hands where they are, and relax them. Don't pull.
Hand to the side to turn, not back-which really feels forward almost rather than to the side, but as long as it's not back.
To help them turn when they're getting a little resistant use the stick on the outside (it comes forward so they see it, then back again). To keep them in the corner-because horses have to learn corners-use the inside stick. Don't forget corners, especially on diagonals.
Keep the draw reins more in-because otherwise the purpose is moot-and the snaffle reins not so much. (This is really tough because of the aforementioned sliding. I use gloves because I don't like the friction, but maybe I should try without. huh)
The girls said it was good-which I kind of needed (see how I started the ride). JP didn't say much besides the corrections, which I'm totally cool with. As long as you're telling me what to do, I understand how/why to do it, and that I'm not totally fucking up the horse, it's probably counter-productive to continually praise me. (I had one that did that-lots of chatter-and I remember it driving me nuts.)
He liked his bath afterward-poor guy was very sweaty. But, for some reason, he still doesn't like to be sprayed near his face ;)
Then, I got to see a yearling that was amazing. Wow, is all I can say. You can bet this one is staying on the farm. Huge already, brilliant movement, very well mannered, gorgeous.
Of course, Zolar is the dude for me. Although, I have to say, riding him after riding arabs for so long was nuts. There's like twice as much horse there, even though he's not incredibly tall or wide. He's just *solid.* It was crazy.
Hopefully one of the girls can get me some pics +-a little bit of movie from my phone tomorrow. They said we look good together, so I wanna see it. And I know you all want photos.
I want to get some sticks to use. They are awesome, helping teach the horse more calmly. Also they can be used on the ground to help calm horses down. And to get them used to scary things-bags, flags, etc.
Also, I want to do well and learn what he needs me to learn. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now, so I hope I can keep it up.
Thinking about going to get pizza. Maybe a movie, but probably not tonight.
And last thing-OMG the number of historical sites around here!! Would be worth a trip just for that.
I haven't really ridden since December. A little on Elle at a walk, but she's definitely a retired horse. That, plus I'm getting a 2yo. Plus I know the trainer is careful about his training and picky (to train them well from the start so they do well). So, you know, a little nervous.
His girl lunged him, then rode him first, which was good. His trot is a little quick still, but he's a baby. Canter is nice. He seems to listen fairly well. They have draw reins on him because he has an upright neck and a tendency to raise his head. The actual reins are on essentially a cavesson around a halter. No bit-so they learn to ride without getting their mouths yanked on.
Also, they use two whips with little red foam balls at the end (waggles eyebrows, I know what it's for on the ground, but I had no idea how to use two in the saddle). I'm thinking that I can barely use *one* whip well, not to mention *two*. Also, I suck at two reins unless I'm really careful and able to concentrate-I let them slip, and they get uneven.
This is how I started my ride today. lolol Ah, bless.
I get on, and he does not know the legs. Ack. He knows voice commands, and the sticks. Also, I'm too stressed, and too busy, so relax. I do. Whew. (I still don't know if my right shoulder relaxed, I wasn't paying attention, and it usually gets tight in general.)
Then, I'm pulling too much. Keep the hands where they are, and relax them. Don't pull.
Hand to the side to turn, not back-which really feels forward almost rather than to the side, but as long as it's not back.
To help them turn when they're getting a little resistant use the stick on the outside (it comes forward so they see it, then back again). To keep them in the corner-because horses have to learn corners-use the inside stick. Don't forget corners, especially on diagonals.
Keep the draw reins more in-because otherwise the purpose is moot-and the snaffle reins not so much. (This is really tough because of the aforementioned sliding. I use gloves because I don't like the friction, but maybe I should try without. huh)
The girls said it was good-which I kind of needed (see how I started the ride). JP didn't say much besides the corrections, which I'm totally cool with. As long as you're telling me what to do, I understand how/why to do it, and that I'm not totally fucking up the horse, it's probably counter-productive to continually praise me. (I had one that did that-lots of chatter-and I remember it driving me nuts.)
He liked his bath afterward-poor guy was very sweaty. But, for some reason, he still doesn't like to be sprayed near his face ;)
Then, I got to see a yearling that was amazing. Wow, is all I can say. You can bet this one is staying on the farm. Huge already, brilliant movement, very well mannered, gorgeous.
Of course, Zolar is the dude for me. Although, I have to say, riding him after riding arabs for so long was nuts. There's like twice as much horse there, even though he's not incredibly tall or wide. He's just *solid.* It was crazy.
Hopefully one of the girls can get me some pics +-a little bit of movie from my phone tomorrow. They said we look good together, so I wanna see it. And I know you all want photos.
I want to get some sticks to use. They are awesome, helping teach the horse more calmly. Also they can be used on the ground to help calm horses down. And to get them used to scary things-bags, flags, etc.
Also, I want to do well and learn what he needs me to learn. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now, so I hope I can keep it up.
Thinking about going to get pizza. Maybe a movie, but probably not tonight.
And last thing-OMG the number of historical sites around here!! Would be worth a trip just for that.