Getting into The Stride

Another dry autumn day arrived yesterday and I got to the yard on time, brushed my tall, white, friend and bridled him up. We set off on the road route and my position on him felt as amazing as it had on the coloured gelding on Sunday. My trots were forward and we felt very together on this ride. On my first attempt at a canter, my instructor told me to try it on my own, I had a few fabulous strides and lost my right stirrup and so we tried again, just getting a rushed, forward trot. I clearly wasn't giving him enough to go into canter and he was testing my authority a little and looking for my instructor. Riding is a path of trust and although he trusts me in walk and trot to give him the signals he needs to keep us both safe, our cantering relationship is still new and not quite there so he was still looking to my instructor for guidance and she was behind us so he chose to take over and do his own thing which is not what we want. We carried on the route and had some more good trots and I felt my confidence was growing even more. On our second visit to a cantering ground, she asked me to go again and sitting up straight, hands forward and down, I gave him a huge squeeze, pushed with my seat and off we went into a beautiful, unified canter. I was so much in my seat, my heels totally taking my weight and my body moving with my lovely friend. It was amazing and the most amazing part was I did that. No one was at the side of me, leading or encouraging my friend to do what I asked, I gave him the signal and he listened and off we cantered in a beautiful horse and rider dance. I was so thrilled and once we returned to a trot, slowed him to a walk and gave him the biggest pat and well done I could. I'm loving this journey so much and feeling I'm ready for anything. I know it'll still have its ups and downs but now it's feeling like I'm becoming a real horse rider. My instructor is slowly letting the reins go and standing back and watching what she has so amazingly helped me to achieve, a dream I had so long ago and I am so thankful to her and the lady who has the school for giving me this chance to prove I can do it. I just hope I keep on achieving something good where horses are concerned. The relationship I have with these amazing creatures is so dearly treasured and I'm so honoured to be given the opportunity to try and achieve my own dreams as well as knowing the privilege of being a horse and rider team. After our lovely successful canter, we headed back to the road and did some amazing trot to halt and halt to trot transitions. I am getting him more directly into a trot and also pulling him to a halt successfully more efficiently each time. I did lose that blasted right stirrup again which was strange, haven't lost a stirrup in trot for a long time. But soon was trotting off again and halting well. We arrived back to the stables and I untacked him, put on his stable rug and helped fill up his hay net. He and a few other horses then enjoyed a lovely apple I'd brought for them. So until Sunday, as that is when my next lesson is, Thanks for reading, Marie

Becoming More Natural

I had an extra lesson this week. I arrived to discover I was riding the lovely coloured gelding that loves to lean on your hands. So once I was mounted and waiting for the rest of our substantial group to go out on a ride, I made a pact with him, not to lean on my hands too much and I would give him an extra polo.

We set off up on the farm hack with smaller ponies in front. We even had to overtake one small pony to get in front and then I could hear the little shoes on that pony as the previous one in front of us had no shoes on.

He was not as forward as I would have liked on the first trot and yet my position felt fantastic on him today. Our first attempt at a canter was not great, although he had a fabulous forward trot.

More trotting was much more forward and I kept him back from the smaller ponies. I was amazed yet again of my position being so right on this horse as it has not felt that good on him before. Heels were down, I was up right and felt incredibly balanced in the saddle.

After heading down the cobbles and still feeling like he wasn't leaning on my hands as much, we did another fabulous trot. One more field was found and off I went in the best canter I've ever had on him. It was up there with one of my best canters ever. I was in the seat, I was in control and we had a fair few strides. I decided, I really like his canter despite him being slightly bouncier than many of the other horses I ride.

Our speed was good and I arrived back at the stables feeling like I'd had one of my better lessons. So, keeping to my word, he got an extra few polos. So lets see what Tuesday holds?

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Amazing!

Well, that's the only title I can think of to sum up my ride yesterday.

It was a beautiful autumn morning when I arrived and partially removed my tall white friend's rug as he's been clipped. Brushed him down, covered him up and removed the back end to brush the rest of him. Tacked him up and led him out, mounted and was in a very positive mood.

We took the road route yesterday and my trots were back on form. Had to wake him up a little and the first canter on one of our bits of grass we canter on failed miserably. The second attempt, my instructor let go, scared me as she clapped to spur him on and so I failed again. The third attempt, she told me to go for it on my own, and instantly, I got him into a good forward canter for about four strides. I was over the moon that I managed to do this by myself on the first attempt.

More good, forward trotting and to another piece of grass but no more canters but I wasn't giving him as much I don't think and my instructor told me she wants more leg. But something inside of me really clicked yesterday and I know, for some odd reason, when someone's leading me in canter, I'm not getting it on the ball. It's probably psychological and I've proven twice now I can get him into a canter independently. Once when I was meant to be trotting to build his energy and yesterday when I was just ready for it.

Our trot transitions were pretty good yesterday. I feel like I can stop him so well now and I am more aware of his mouth response. It was the best feeling yesterday for me and I just hope I can keep it up. Lets hope more cantering and prolonged cantering at that is on the cards. I stayed in my seat more than I have before too. I guess I was so shocked I managed to do it on my first attempt, I froze up a little but we got there and now it's just a matter of keep on getting there consistently and in a good strong canter.

We got back to the yard after my good mood was much improved, and I untacked him, removed his exercise sheets and placed his rugs on him. I had issues fastening the clasps on the rugs on Tuesday but yesterday I finally got that too. So it was a fab lesson. And my cheeky, tall, white friend deserved the few polos he got. He knows which pocket they're in to. :)

That's all for today but got another lesson on sunday so I'm afraid you'll all be bombarded with more regales of my horsey tales. :) Thanks for reading,

Marie

stress Makes Me a Bad rider

There have been some things in my personal life this week that have caused some real stress for me. This did not make tuesday's lesson a overly successful one from my point of view. Hence why, it has taken me so long to write the blog. Hiding away from the world was much more productive for me yesterday.

I arrived, late, due to those vanishing half past eight buses. Did not help the already stressed out mood I was in. Wacked my hat on, mounted my tall white friend and felt better in the saddle, although much more tense than I would have liked.

We opted for the farm hack, well, I did, in the hopes I could relax my brain into just, me, horse and nature. Sadly, my attempt to relax was futile.

My trots were OK, not my best and I know my position was not as good as it felt like a huge effort pushing up out of the saddle.

cantering was not happening, he had the spaark, I did not give him enough to get him fully there.

He was listening to me during the ride but the level of stress I was feeling, I'm surprised I had the ability to do anything.

I untacked my tall white friend, gave him a hug and left the yard feeling deflated.

But, the thing that was bothering me has now been resolved and so hopefully I'll have less weight on my shoulders and will have a better lesson tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Unexpected surprises

I got to the yard to be told I was riding a horse I have never ridden at the stables before. He is the tallest of our school's horses at 16.1 HH I believe and is a lovely, cheeky bay. He and I have been acquainted when I've been at the yard when he tries to eat me, my cane or something outside his stable door but he is very handsome and full of a beautiful spirit.

Most of the horses I ride are around 15 HH so I was a little further off of the ground today which was fine with me.

Once up in the saddle, we went out on a group hack along the farm route. He's very responsive to leg and much lighter than some others in his mouth which I quickly picked up on. His gait is long and slightly bouncy but not as bouncy as the coloured I ride but slower too than my tall white friend. I struggled initially in trot, managing to rise but not in a comfortable and rhythmic way I am now expecting from myself. Although I will cut myself a little slack seen as this was my first ride on a horse with this kind of gait.

So when my instructor asked if I was ready for a canter, I wasn't expecting to get one. But a good four or five strides were achieved as well as losing a stirrup.

I noticed with this giant bay lovely that my heels seemed naturally to take my weight, my position was much better and therefore my balance was incredible.

After we got down the cobbles that all of the horses take their time on, understandably, we attempted another trot and this one was amazing. During this trot, I knew I'd love to ride this horse again without hesitation.

The responsiveness of him to my legs, asking to turn was amazing and the last attempt at a canter was much improved than the first. I love cantering on this giant bay.

Back at the yard, after a good ride, I chose to ride my tall white friend. So I bridled him up and lead him out, mounted him and we took the road route for this ride. I felt my left stirrup was shorter, but then I didn't, but generally wasn't comfortable in the saddle with him today. I'm not sure why. It did improve after a few trots.

He was in his tossing head mood today which put an interesting spin on the lesson and I could not get him into canter. Strange how, I cantered on a horse that I'd never ridden but this familiar friend, I could not get into canter. I'm not sure if it's because of being lead, something I'm not doing right or what? I feel my position is much better on him now than before but did pull back on his reins once which I was annoyed at myself for doing. I'll figure it out what it was I did wrong or whether he was just having a bleh day. I guess the tossing of his head could indicate something was not impressing him but some things are beyond our control and some things we do are what causes it. But I was happy to ride him and get two decent rides in today.

Once back at the yard, I helped to fill the hay nets up and was glad to be given another new job to learn. Pulling hay from bales is hard on the hands in a chilly autumn breeze but I soon became used to that sensation. I feel useful when I partake in yard jobs and always learn something new.

It stayed dry, I helped out and had two good rides on two wonderful yet different horses, it was a lovely morning.

So until next time,

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Oreintation to The Yard

I arrived this morning to learn I should have got a text saying I couldn't have a ride this morning due to illnesses and such. So instead of having a ride, I brushed down my favourite tall white friend and fed a few of them carrots. So my lesson this week will come in a double dose on Sunday with a bit of yard work in between. I don't mind this at all. Should be interesting riding on a day I've never ridden before and having two rides in the same morning. I was happy I got to see my gorgeous tall white friend and give him a good old brush and have a lovely cuddle with him too though. So this morning was not a waste of time. Plus, learning more about the yard is always beneficial to me. Didn't do much this morning but walking from stable to stable helped me orientate myself much better with that block. Small thing but necessary for learning the yard. :)

So until then, I'll miss the horses and not update you all until after my next lesson.

Challenges

It was a relatively warm and sunny autumn day yesterday so I was more than happy walking to the yard and hanging around, waiting for my lesson to begin. I was riding the lovely coloured Gelding yesterday so I put on his bridle as he can be funny about his saddle so my instructor put that on him and I led him out, did the stirrups and mounted.

He started off very ploddy and I took a while to get him going. We took the road route yesterday, that has a few grassy parts on it to do some cantering. My trots were not as strong as they generally are on my tall white friend and others as this lovely coloured has a very bouncy gait. It's beneficial as a rider, in my humblest of opinions that you learn different horses so you become an all rounded, strong rider. So despite my weaknesses, I know it's a good thing for me. This horse is very different to my tall white friend and then again, he's different to the bay beauty but that's just it, we should have all kinds of experiences of individual horses to make those weak parts stronger.

Slowly, I got increasingly more confident in the trotting and then we attempted a canter. My canters are not yet as confident on this horse, understandably. And on a few goes yesterday I pulled back on my hands. Some of the attempts lacked the energy on my part too so I need to work on giving him more leg and seat. Personally, I think that's a lack of confidence right now with this particular horse. He is much bouncier and that kind of throws me a little but as I've said, I need to persist with it so I can get better on horses that do have a slightly more bouncier gait.

My last canter was much better, my instructor said next time, she wants more strides, I need to learn to move with him more. Like I said, that's just time, I'll get it eventually.

We tried transitions on him and they were not as sharp as they are on my tall white friend, again, lack of familiarity and learning different horses' reactions to different things. Their personalities are also different so it takes time to get to know the horse and what they respond to best.

The lesson was still a good one and I was made to work very hard which is good. I learnt a lot.

After my lesson, I offered to help out at the yard and was thrown in at the mucky end, literally. We were piling up the muck heap and even though I've never done it before and can't see exactly what I'm aiming for, I didn't do horrendously. My aim needs working on but hit a few targets. I was given the brush to sweep up which was a lot easier, practically, although it was still hard work. I am not for one minute complaining and I know after years and years, I'll not be enthusiastic about mucking out and such but I felt like was doing something productive. I desperately want a job not just for financial reasons, although that's a hefty reason but because I want to feel productive and I'm doing something so those few hours, helping out around the yard made me feel very productive. I just hope I wasn't too much of a burden. Obviously, I'm not going to be as quick to learn chores as sighted people but I was thankful for the chance.

After finishing the piling up of the tower of muck, I brushed down the legs of a horse I rode in the early days of riding. He's a sweet older horse and was very patient while I got all of the muck off of his legs.

I then went to give another horse a full brush down and got what seemed like half a tree out of his mane. He was also very patient while I de-mucked him. :)

I love brushing horses and helping out where I can. I definitely felt like I'd got a good work out yesterday morning and really hope I wasn't a burden to the girls I was working with.

Its good experience to know what I'm coming up against when I finally loan or get a horse of my own.

That's all for now,

Thanks for reading,

Marie

Back on Horse back

It's been a very long week for me. I've missed those majestic beast so dearly. So this morning, I was excited to be back at the yard.

I quickly brushed my tall white friend and did up his bridle, led him out and adjusted my stirrups to what I usually have them on. Only to get on and learn they are new stirrups and so the lengths were not right.

We took the farm hack route today and on my first trot I realised my stirrups were too long so after an adjustment, off we went again. He was testing me a bit, going too left or over to the right so my challenge was to keep him central and keep him listening to me.

I always keep up to date with a very useful blog called, School your Horse but this week's Post really rang home with me. I've always tried sitting up in the saddle but the way this blog author puts it across, it made so much sense to me. Having a background in dance, the idea of pulling up to push forward as it is said in the blog, just clicked in my head. Today, I was thoroughly working on this concept and by God it paid off.

My trots were forward and I seemed to push from the saddle with my thighs much more so it was easier to rise and then for the canter. The first time, I almost got a stride but the bog of a field made it more difficult. Even my instructor said she wasn't surprised I didn't get a canter. So she suggested I try him in a forward trot, which I do without her leading me. I'm happy trotting. It comes naturally now but I pushed on for a forward trot and gave him enough to send us into a canter. One in which I felt thoroughly comfortable and relaxed into. It was a good steady canter and I surprised myself.

We left the field and I was using my half halts on the cobbles. He was rushing himself so a few half halts and keeping my heels from his side which I seemingly was doing slowed him down.

A few more good trots and then to the back lane where he did a forward trot instead of a canter but on the second attempt, he did another beautiful canter.

My position was much better today, my instructor felt and I know it's because I'm thinking more about how I'm sitting in the saddle. I felt I made slightly more progress during my lesson today. I hope I keep it up. But I've never felt so confident and relaxed in cantering until this morning. So thanks to this blog entry and the fantastic lady who writes her words of wisdom for us and to my instructor who has the patience of a saint. and continues giving great instruction

Once I jumped off and led him into his stable, untacked him and put his tack back, I returned to give him a polo. He kept mobbing me for more and tried to eat me on a few occasions so he got spoilt today and had a few more polos than just the one.

That's all until next time,

Thanks for reading,

Marie

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.