Riding Journal by D.O.G. ~ 8th Lesson, Canter,Bareback,Plow Reining!!!

[Dreaming Of Goats]

IT WAS SO FUN!!! I posted a while ago about choosing a riding school, but my dads friend offered to teach me (Kind of a barter)... I'm riding western. First, I met a ll the horses: Robba (Egyptian Arabian, 35 yrs old), Dreamer (Polish Arabian, 21 yrs old), and Challenger (Thoroughbred x, 23 yrs old). Then I mucked their stalls, threw down some hay bales, fed the old stallion (Robba), and then got Dreamer from the paddock. I gave her some treats, brushed her down, picked her hooves out, saddled her up, and then out to the field to learn! First he warmed her up and showed me their cues (Btw their neck rein trained).. Then I hopped on. He walked beside the horse while I cued her to walk. Of course, as going down a hill, she decided to spook so went quite a bit faster, but never bucked or reared. I got her to slow down, and then we just kept going around. Eventually, the owner jumped on Challenger and we went around the field a few times. It was fun.. Can't wait till next time!!

Here is a pic of Dreamer:

 

[redtailgal]

I'm glad you enjoyed your fist ride!

I rode a horse for the first time when I was two weeks old, lol. I havent quit yet, though I dont get to ride very often anymore.

Its quite the thrill to have an animal (a prey animal at that) trust you enough to allow you to sit on its back much less carry you.

Stay relaxed in the saddle, and dont worry too much about learning and getting it right. Just relax, listen to your instructor and you will be amazed at how the body will fall into place giving you a natural seat. The best riders are the ones who are rleaxed and happy!

 

[Ms. Research]

Congratulations on your first ride. How I envy your first start with horses. Mine was pitiful. Rented rides was all I could get to. Really learned about horses in my 20's. No rides but exactly what you are doing. Learning how to actually take care of one and win it's trust. Best education I ever had. Retailgal is so right about winning the trust of a prey animal and it's rewards.

Hope you post your progress. Wishing you all the luck. And ditto to Retailgal's comment:

Stay relaxed in the saddle, and dont worry too much about learning and getting it right. Just relax, listen to your instructor and you will be amazed at how the body will fall into place giving you a natural seat. The best riders are the ones who are rleaxed and happy!

 

[Dreaming Of Goats]

I was relaxed for the most part...... except for when we went to canter! I need to learn how to post, eventually it will come to me I'm sure. Even though I'm riding western, it seems like it would be comfier

 

[Dreaming Of Goats]

Went riding again yesterday... LOTS of fun! This time I saddled her up and picked her hooves, and i even put the halter on.... I helped with the bridle and bt, but there are just so many strings! I worked on controlling her at a walk and trot (Figure 8's, zig-zags, etc.), worked on my trot and i tried posting a bit, although for the most part I just bounced around. And I cantered a little, even though its only my 2nd lesson. Next time I'll work on posting and controlling at the canter, also, not holding onto the horn. I'm fine at the walk, ok at a trot, but at a canter I HAVE to! Here are some pictures my brother took.

Trot

Canter/Gallop

Slowing her down to a trot

 

[redtailgal]

Great job!

Dont worry about holding the horn. I've been riding for 30 years, and I grab that horn from time to time. Its not there for decoration! You will rely on it less and less as you progress, so for now dont worry bout it.



Thanks for the pics, you look pretty good in them.

Do you want a little critque? GOOD! I'll give you one!

First pic: Looks pretty good. Are your stirrups too low? You may have a little more control if you raise them up a notch or two. You have a nice straight back and you are forward in the saddle, thats good. Maybe try dropping your rein hand a little lower. You will put less pressure on the horse that way, making her more comfortable and happy.........and that makes YOU more relaxed.

Second Pic: Tell your brother that I said "NICE PIC!". Again, your seat looks nice. Straight back, into the saddle appropriately for this movement. I do think that it would help if your stirrups were a little higher. Again, drop that hand. Try resting your thumb along the top of the saddle horn.

Third Pic: Stirrups and hands. Looks pretty good, leaning back to encourage her to slow down. I can see the tension in your hips. Try "melting" your rear end into the saddle when you ask for a stop or slowdown.

You dont post a canter! Its a rocking horse movement. When your horse canters, "melt" into the saddle, let your hips go limp and just ride. Cantering is GLORIOUS.

You post a trot (some people do, I prefer to "sit" a trot most of the time.) I think that the easiest way to learn to trot is to relax every muscle in your body at first and watch one shoulder of the horse. Find her rhythm and then match it using your upper legs. If you will just ride the trot, you can pay attention to the location of her shoudler (either one) and notice where your butt is at its highest point in the bounce, then start adding in your own muscle movement and "catch" your pelvis before you hit the saddle. Once you can do that, then start giving yourself the upward movement of the post.
It takea a little practice, but with a great seat like yours, you will get it in no time!

You are doing fabulous! I hope that you will keep us updated on your progress, and I hope that your brother will keep taking pics!

 

[Dreaming Of Goats]

Thanks! Sadly, my brother is going back to college Tuesday, he had this weekend off, but I'll try to get my dad to get some pictures.
The instructor made my stirrups higher mid-lesson, while the horse was taking a break,which helped me A LOT! Dropping the reins lower I've been working on... toward the end of the lesson In had them lower! I didn't try posting a lot this time, and I didn't post the canter, I just sat it, so the pic you were seeing was probably just me bouncing around Thats the reason why my legs are SO sore... but better than last time!

Thank you so much for the tips, I'll try to remember them if my mind allows me Again thanks so much!

 

[Ms. Research]

Haven't been on a horse for some time, but it sure looks like you are doing a good job. And going in the right direction. Don't worry about the horn. If you need it, it's there. Because you never know.

You will be fine. It's quite visible in the photos how much you respect the horse and are working to better your seat. Thanks for sharing the pics.

And thanks for updating your journal to let us know how you are doing. Don't get frustrated. Keep positive.

 

[Dreaming Of Goats]

Haven't been on a horse for some time, but it sure looks like you are doing a good job. And going in the right direction. Don't worry about the horn. If you need it, it's there. Because you never know.

You will be fine. It's quite visible in the photos how much you respect the horse and are working to better your seat. Thanks for sharing the pics.

And thanks for updating your journal to let us know how you are doing. Don't get frustrated. Keep positive.

Thanks! You're right about the horn... My friend who has ridden ever since she was 6 months old was riding a halflinger on the leadline, and it spooked at a dog. She held onto the horn, but she still got bucked off and broke both wrists. Even with double casts, shes still riding! I REALLY love riding, and just being around them and seeing their personalities shine is great! Dreamer (The bay, the one I'm riding) kind of hangs in the back because her "brother" will hog all the attention and push her away, However, when you put her halter on and lead her out, she turns into a total sweetheart. If she begins to push on me too much while im leading her, I can just push her a little and she'll move away. Challenger, on the other hand, it a total attention and treat hog. Except he HATES getting his hoofs picked out, mainly the back though.

 

[redtailgal]

OUCH for your friend.

If you ever come off, dont try to break your fall, wad your self up in a ball or go limp, DONT try to catch yourself!