Hard Work Reeks rewards

This morning didn't look like it was going to be a good ride. I was riding the horse I very first rode on my first ride at the stables and as I've said before, he can be hard work. Couple that with my incredible dizzy moments this morning and feeling generally disjointed from the world, I didn't foresee the greatest lesson coming up.

This was confirmed to me when I needed to be reminded that it's a good idea to grab the girth strap before I try to fasten it. Then the nose band was different to what I'm used to. Then once I mounted, we discovered the saddle was all lob sided. So standing up, the lady who runs the school pulled it straight and then we were off. At the slowest pace imaginable and my legs kept creeping forward. Who knows where that habit has come from? So I was ready for giving up only five minutes into my lesson. Not with my instructor though. She will not let you quit no matter how bad of a day you're having.

So after she helped me into a trot the first few times and then she coached me about using my seat more to get him to respond and pushed my legs to the position they needed to be, my lovely little friend decided to get a move on.

After the trots where I got him to forward trot quite nicely, the comedian my instructor is, suggested we canter. I laughed. If I was struggling to get my tall, white friend, and coloured lovely who respond nicely to my legs generally to canter, I had no chance with this little lovely.

The first attempt got the odd stride but mostly was a forward trot. My instructor had brought a crop however and on the second attempt we had a good old canter. I even managed to stay in my seat for about four or five strides. According to the lady who runs the school, that will just grow with time. I believe her. ;) But my instructor said I'd canter on him before my Bay beauty so she was right on that one.

The funniest thing was today, I got on my little lovely thinking I was going to be having a rubbish, hard work filled lesson, [the latter I do not mind], but in the end, it was a good, productive, hard work filled lesson. My legs definitely will feel it tomorrow. Another thing was reiterated to me today and by the end of my lesson I felt I was doing more, putting my weight into my heels.

I untacked him, partially, as he was going out again soon, and I'd brought some apples for the horses so he had one, some of the little ponies shared one and just as there was one left in the bag, my tall white friend was being brought in so he got the last apple and a huge cuddle from me. I'm not riding on Thursday as I have something I need to do that will sadly take all day so it'll be a whole week until I spend some awesome times with my horsey friends again.

So until next time, that already seems a million years away,

Thanks for reading,

Marie

You Learn Even On a Bad day

It was absolutely freezing this morning but I was thankful for no rain.

I was left to brush my tall white friend who was absolutely caked in mud. I love brushing the horses, not only because it helps them feel better but because it is some lovely time for us both.

I dropped one of the brushes on the floor and tried to find it with my feet but couldn't. So I had to shout for my instructor. I wasn't bending down to go looking for a brush with a huge horse at the side of me. I guess I'd adjust my own brushing to make sure I didn't drop the brushes in my own stables.

I tacked him up, with an ease with putting the bridle on. I'm getting such a grip on putting the bridle on him which makes me feel good. I know brushing his face is becoming a new art for me to master as I've been a little uncertain on the sensitive areas around the horse's face. Although during brushing today, I found a few more regions that I didn't go looking for, we'll leave it at that. ;)

I led him out to the yard and adjusted my stirrups and tightened his girth. I mounted, then realised I needed my gloves so another new thing, putting gloves on while holding reins in one hand. Was weird but was a must if I wanted warm hands.

We took the farm hack today and I struggled getting him forward into a good, steady trot. We attempted the canter twice and although my position was reasonably well adjusted, my hands were low, I just didn't get the energy from my legs into him to propel him forward.

We then proceeded to work on transitions. I had to do a long, forward trot first which was strong and then left a little to be desired on the energy front by the end. My stops and starts in the transitions were strong and I feel in good control when we do these.

Once back at the stable yard, I untacked and learnt to put a cooler on. I also learnt why we put coolers on after exercise. So I still learnt quite a bit besides my disappointment in myself on cantering. I do wonder if I'll ever just get it to click once and for all?

So until next time,

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Numb hands but productive Lesson

It seems autumn has already abandoned us and we're deepening into the iciness of winter. At least, that's how my hands felt today.

I arrived at the yard, having avoided any substantial downpours. That's a relief, listening to the rain pounding outside right now. I brushed the lovely coloured gelding I've ridden before and bridled him up while my instructor put his saddle on. She had also brushed his belly as he's not so fond of that being done. I learnt a little about some horse care tips this morning to.

The horse I rode today has recently been clipped, so I learnt never to pull of an entire rug at once when it's so cold. Just the first half while you brush the head, neck and front half, then remove the latter part of the rug to not make the cold such a shock. There were also exercise sheets on to keep him warm while we went out.

After mounting, adjusting the stirrups as I'm not familiar with what my stirrups are on him, we opted for the road route. The field would have been complete mud because of the amount of rain and I hoped to get some canters in.

Getting this lovely coloured forward was a little bit of a challenge and he lays quite heavy in your hands so this was a new adjustment for me. The other two horses I regularly ride don't lean on your hands so it's slightly easier but this was just something new for me to handle well. I quickly felt the contact and soon it felt like a strong piece of elastic was attached to my hands.

Trotting took a while to get into a forward trot but eventually I managed this.

And then for the canters. I'm noticing, more and more how relaxed my body is when asking for canter and today was no exception. My only criticism of myself was I was not keeping my hands low and forward enough for him to spring into a nice forward canter on the first attempt. Having the difference in rein contact is an adjustment and one that took me a while to get used to but two strides on the first canter and four on the last was not bad going, in my opinion.

I learnt a lot about energy this morning and how to recognise it. When halted, the fidgeting of your horse shows you there's momentum to build on and controlling that energy is something I'm learning to master.

I can clearly get the horses into a canter, now, I just need to work on keeping them there. I was pleased with this little progress. I haven't ridden this lovely horse in a long while so being able to feel relaxed, controlled and keeping my position showed some progress. So more work with the legs and seat to keep that cantering going. I know I'll get there.

A few other interesting differences that I have learnt today. These things have just added to my knowledge of the fact that all horses are individuals and different. When asking for a turn, my lovely friend didn't respond as my bay beauty or tall white friend readily do so I had to pick up the reins a little to turn. I also learnt, trying to give the command to turn or move over on the shoulder can also be effective.

Trot transitions were attempted to today and although he is harder to stop, I managed it which pleased me.

Horse riding is about learning the skills to handle all horses on which you may ride. And that was proven true to me today.

We also had a stop for a wee so up I went to keep the pressure off of his kidneys. I asked how you can tell if a horse wants a wee so I would know when I should stand. Sometimes, they push their legs back but she assured me, as soon as I heard a trickle from a horse, standing up would be fine if I couldn't tell as some horses it is hard to tell. If anyone has any other cool tricks to know when that could be distinguished by a blind rider, I'm welcome for all options.

It was a productive lesson today and I look forward to Thursday's. I've only just got the feeling back in my hands though so definitely, if the weather has not improved, my riding gloves shall be firmly enclosed on my hands.

Until next time,

Thanks for Reading,

Marie

Hugs, brushing and Riding with Horses

Today was much warmer than I had anticipated. I wore a long sleeved top and my winter riding coat and by the time I'd finished brushing my tall, white friend, I was well and truly hot.

My bridle fitting was much better today and tacking up is seemingly getting easier and faster so more efficient every time I do it. I'm often left to brush the horses while other tasks are being done around the yard which is more than OK with me. Hugs with Horses are amazing!

He was half asleep this morning so took a bit more work to get him forward and raring to go. It's rained so much the past few weeks, the ground was not so great so our canters were not as fabulous as they have been. My instructor had me doing a few trots to get him more forward while we attempted another canter. They're coming along much better and I can get him forward but I'm seemingly not getting the seat part just right. I almost had it a few weeks ago but my control is improving so I know it will come.

I have on occasion, a habit to tilt to the left. Goodness knows where that has come from. I just need to remember to keep my heels down whenever I squeeze for a canter. And although I'm not getting perfect canters just yet, the odd one that is good shows how much I've improved. Gaining control is essential when riding I believe so despite the minor set backs, I know I'll get there.

I enjoyed the ride very much though and it is always seems to feel more natural. Hands and legs are constantly improving and that's part of what I enjoy, the continued learning and growing relationship between myself and the horses.

After I untacked and gave my friend a few polos, I ended up helping out a little on the yard and brushing one of the smaller ponies. I love doing what I can and hope to be more of a help around the yard in time. Sounds crazy, but even tasks like mucking out will make me feel more useful once I know how.

That's all for today, Thanks for reading,

Marie

Responsive Ride and a Bit of a Surprise

It was a true drizzly, autumn day today. I arrived at the stables and tacked up my tall white friend. We opted for the road route.

I could feel the responsiveness instantly with him today. My first set of trot transitions were pretty good. I love doing transitions. He was very forward in his trot and walk today which was awesome. My instructor kept pushing me to get him forward when he wasn't which was also very good.

I was rather surprised at my cantering efforts today. I was asked if I was ready and I just sat relaxed, hands forward and then gave him a huge squeeze and off we went. The first canter was only a few strides as I think I was so shocked I managed to do it so easily, I pulled back. But my second canter was much longer and I still managed to get him going with very little help from my instructor. This stride was much longer and I just have to remember to go with him now when he strides forward into his canter. I guess I was so surprised he responded so instantly to my request for him to canter. It felt amazing to know that he is responding much more to me each lesson.

I noticed today that when asking him to move left or right or turn left or right with my legs, I'm using less leg and he's responding well.

We did another set of trot transitions on the path home to the stables which was much harder as he knew he was almost back to his hay. But I still managed to get him trotting and halting rather well. So despite the rain, I had a fabulous lesson.

So until Thursday's lesson, happy riding and thanks for reading,

Marie

Chilly Ride

Autumn definitely has swept over my town this week and yesterday's morning ride was a chilly one.

I was given the choice of my tall white friend and the lovely bay beauty I have ridden several times before. I decided that, even though Tuesday's ride had gone amazingly, I should switch horses again and see how I could handle my bay beauty. So decision made. I did get to see my tall white friend as my instructor asked if I would brush him for her. I was more than happy to do so.

It is good to ride different horses, especially during the learning period, in my opinion, as it will test different skills and teach you various ways of handling and responding to different horses. The horse I rode yesterday is much lighter in the mouth and I really noticed the difference as I picked up rein contact. She needs much less on the rein for halting than some of the other horses I ride. Trotting on her is somewhat slower and I found I was giving her more rein than I should have because of this. Keeping her going in strides is a challenge but after a while, our trotting was pretty consistent.

I didn't get her to canter but have said in recent weeks, its a challenge I've set myself for before the end of the year. I was pleased though on a few things when I attempted the canter. For one, I had on occasion had the habit of leaning forward when trying to squeeze for a canter, but I didn't do this yesterday. My shoulders remained back and I felt completely in control of my body. My hands didn't pull back and my heels stayed down. So despite not getting her to canter, I did feel a level of control that I have not always felt when attempting the canter. I know I'll get her to do it one day but I am always being told she's a horse that once you get her to do it, she'll respond to you again.

Despite not getting a canter, I didn't regret riding her because I know each time I ride a different horse, I'm learning different things.

She got a little spooked on a road and started to trot but I pulled her back and calmed her down. These small things continue to add to my skills as a rider. Listening to the horse and learning what they need from us. I just need to figure out what it is she needs from me to get her into canter. :) It was a productive lesson and we managed to avoid a huge down pour which was a miracle with the amount of rain about yesterday.

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Autumn, hacks, Apples and polos

Yesterday's lesson started much later than usual. I had an afternoon ride as opposed to an early morning one on a Tuesday. I had arrived late as the buses, [lets not talk about them], messed me about. So as soon as I arrived, my lovely, tall, white friend was tacked up and waiting for me.

There were two other riders on the ride, one on a horse I've ridden before who was in lead file, which was great and a smaller child on a smaller pony behind us.

It was a bit breezy but the weather conditions were much more pleasant than they had been on Thursday so I was happy. It was the farm hack for us yesterday which I always enjoy.

For most of the ride, I wasn't being lead and for parts of it was riding alone, listening to the sounds of the horse in front for guidance. Each time I ride, I am simply amazed of how much horses listen to us despite being the clever creatures that they are. My gentle, white friend was responsive to me and we had some great trots yesterday.

It was my usual instructor who took this ride yesterday and it was really well done. All riders there, had different levels of experience and she challenged those of us with a bit more experience. I like the challenges.

We had the big field to canter on yesterday which was fantastic. I'm still being lead at the moment in canter so my leader joined me and we soon realised my left stirrup needed adjusting as that foot would not stay in. Once adjusted, we were pretty good to go.

My instructor said it was good for her to see me ride without leading me in canter as it gave her the opportunity to correct things I was doing that she wouldn't see as she was running alongside. So I had a few corrections, which is good, I can work with the things I'm doing wrong when I know exactly what they are.

Apparently, I was touching my horse's side to ask him to canter but not actually giving him the clear signal to do so. So extra big squeezes next time. I did pull back once on my second attempt but we had about six goes yesterday, as we went on the field twice and my last four were all pretty decent. My position is apparently very good, although on the third and fourth, my legs were coming too far forward and on all of my canters yesterday, I was not in my seat as much as I have been on previous occasions. but strangely enough, I feel like despite the seat issue, I'm becoming increasingly confident and with more practice, and now I'm grasping the whole, go into canter business, as opposed to just forward trotting, I think it will just all one day click and I'll look back at these blogs and think, what the heck was I doing?

I was totally caught out yesterday as I was asked to trot and off we went in a lovely trot after a good canter and I heard, "Stop!". I stopped him and looked around at my instructor to see what had happened and she laughed and said, how she was just testing me and to trot again. Then, after only a few strides, I got another "stop", so we stopped and she praised my transitions, saying how they were the best I'd done yet. We were then permitted to do a final good trot. As I trotted on the last stretch, I was alone, just horse and rider. The lead file horse was off in front and my instructor had gone back to work with the pony and child. Trotting and then walking along that path made me feel proud. I know some things I may say here may sound trivial to some readers. Well, big deal, right? I was riding without someone there for a few moments. But when you've been constantly told you cannot do something and have to have sighted help continuously, even those few moments of trust, belief from someone else in your ability and independence can make you feel so big. I'm imprisoned by my eyes for the majority of my daily life. Sure, I can walk out and about with Bailey, I can cook and clean and wash clothes, I can use a computer but I've fought and keep fighting to work in any job and am constantly told I'm a health and safety hazard, ETC; so it is finally nice to have a few moments, even if they are only a few, where I can think, yes, I'm in control, i'm free, sitting astride such a magnificent creature and we are working together and people are not afraid that my blindness will hinder my ability to ride a horse. I'm going off of topic slightly here I guess, but I think some of you may already understand this and that's great, but I started this blog to also educate people of what is possible. I'm not saying, i'll be able to go on a 2KM ride independently, ever, but to know that group hacking is remotely possible is astounding to me.

But I guess the biggest thing here for me is that the lady who runs the riding school and the instructor especially who takes me regularly, along with a few others, have faith in that I can do more than what others maybe consider is possible. The single file hacking, I never even had that in my head but that's happening now. I'm doing that whenever there is other horses out on rides. Things I didn't think possible are happening slowly but surely in regards to horse riding and I'm loving each challenge as it presents itself. :)

Back to the lesson and apologies for the diversion.

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. We got back to the yard, I untacked and then I got harassed for polos. So he had some polos and I'd brought some treats for the horses, some apples so I distributed them amongst some of the horses and it was over for another day.

It was a pretty fantastic lesson and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

As always,

Thanks for Reading and keep tuned for more crazy, horse related tales.

Marie.

A Poem, The Horse

I wouldn't normally post poetry here but seen as its about our favourite creatures, I thought I'd share with you all. :) Elegant and powerful, Filled with such grace, a gentle giant you can be, But one should never judge you in haste. Kind hearted and open minded, You take me as I am, As I brush your soft coat, Nudge me gently as you stand. The bond between horse and rider, Synchronised in unison, A beauty to watch when joined in action, A heart warming scene when alone. Gallop across the open planes, Jump over every fence, A wildness lies within your heart, Unless you're standing by me. You munch your hay quietly, And allow me to tack you up, Get ready for another time spent with me, While you teach me how to act. If I forget to do something, You do not kick or buck, You stand there patiently, Letting me know that I messed up. I've learnt so many skills, During our time together, And I know days ahead will be filled with more learning, In sun, rain or whatever weather. Trotting up the roads, Cantering across the fields, You'll never know how alive I feel, When I first press on my heel. The sense of ability For the first time in my life, Springs to life every time You and I take a stride. The warmth I feel, From the powerful beauty that you are, When sitting astride or walking alongside, Brings alive a world from afar, One I never hoped to be apart of, One I never dared to dream, But one you bring forth to reality, And make me not blind it seems. How can I express, The thanks to a creature so pure, Filled with a majesty I am privileged to see, And a creature of such nobility. Poets much adept than myself, Have over the years described your spirit, Enhanced your beauty of physique and stature In words upon a page, But none could ever describe the feelings you bring to me, For what the horse can provide to a blind rider, Is something words cannot describe. A spirit of true beauty, A heart of priceless gold, A wildness of ferocity , But still I adhere to hold, You high in my esteems as a human, Humbled by your irresistible grace, astounded by your sheer beauty, And honoured to take my place, beside you, Or upon your strong back, And off we can go together, In unison on a favourite hack. I can never truly thank you, For letting me share your world, For those times each week I treasure, As though they were a precious pearl. Each diamond of wisdom, You bestow on me each time, and every moment, No matter what happens, Is a treasured moment of yours and mine? So when asked what the horse can bring for me, I say simply, Joy, love, learning, Hope and freedom, Filled with majesty and grace But above all, mystery. For one will never truly know the horse, His wildness still remains, Even in my gentle giant to which I entrust myself, The wildness is still maintained. The trust between horse and rider, So valuable and unique, Will not protect you from the wildness of these creatures, So just wait and see. Treat them with kindness, And they shall be so in return, Love and cherish them but know the truth, And you may not get hurt. The balance of trust is so delicate, The love and care so clear, But a horse is still a horse, No matter what you hear. Think you may have tamed him, Then a surprise makes you fall, Anyone who knows horses, Will exclaim, "I told you so". Despite the danger that comes with these beauties, Many still entrust their lives, I know I always will be faithful to the great horse, And take the good with the strifes, because once a horse has crept Deep into the depths of your heart, It's near impossible to turn your back, And take leave of their world for a final depart. They pull you in deep, And will not let you go, Their eyes filled with knowing and their hearts of love, You know you cannot leave them so. So stand shoulder to shoulder, Ride upon him with pride, And know you've experienced one of the world's most precious things, You've gained an honoured friendship of the horse in your life.