Spring is Back

What a beautifully sunny day it was here this morning. I even stripped off my coat to ride in a thin hooded sweat shirt. I opted to ride Topaz. I've not ridden him since our rain incident a few weeks ago and I knew I should get on him to ensure I wasn't feeling nervous or anything. Nerves were non existent as was Topaz's energy this morning. I tried going but he was not giving me much at all today. I felt really unbalanced in his trots as they were so ploddy. Cantering was almost non existent but got a small one eventually. I just felt I was putting so much in and getting nothing back. Maybe he wanted Sunday off work, who knows? By the end of this ride I felt depleted and was in pretty low spirits. When asked who I wanted to ride I said a faster horse. Shadow and Bella and Kenny are all lame so fingers crossed they get better soon so the choices were limited. I rode the pretty mare that I've only ridden twice before. She was full of beans but I had her in good control. My trots on her were amazing today. The girl walking with me as we were in lead file said I look good in trot on her which was a lovely compliment. She is very light on the leg so a little squeeze and off we went into canter. Unlike on Topaz today where I felt I was flying around in the saddle, on this pretty girl, I was mostly in my seat and the crazy part is she's much bouncier than Topaz is. Go figure right? On my first canter, my RI said I was going with her in the beginning, then lost it in the middle and got it back again. So on the next canter she wanted me in my seat and going with her from the start to the finish. I posted a post on Lorraine's agony aunt's page yesterday as I'm struggling keeping my seat on bouncier ponies at the minute. I thought about what her advice was, making it feel like I had no legs. Amazingly, my weight just seemed to fall into my heels even though I was trying not to do anything with my legs, just sitting deeper into the saddle. I leaned consciously further back as Maddi had suggested and this all seemed to help. Wasn't even holding my saddle today as I felt a little more confident with her. Maybe the horse I rode yesterday, I might try the holding the saddle and pushing away rather than pulling towards me as Lorraine suggested but we'll see who I ride next week. My second canter was absolutely in sync and it felt a lot better. Only third time riding this pretty girl and so I was pleased with my progress. I love her trots, so quick and prancy. She was a good ride after the hard work I had to do with the gorgeous Topaz this morning. She's actually becoming really comfortable for me to ride. Who knew, a Welsh section D would make it onto my maybe the breed of pony I might want to look into getting. Back at the yard, I untacked and gave Topaz and Magic their polos. Then I went to visit the stable bound ponies. Bella seemed a bit down today whereas Shadow was all over me. He finished off the polos and got lots of nice cuddles and kisses from him. All under a lovely sunny sky this morning. Thanks for reading guys, Marie

A Blustery Ride

The wind seemed to come from absolutely no where this morning. I woke up and the winds had descended. Dad gave me a ride to the yard and I arrived to learn that my lovely Shadow was lame so I couldn't ride him today. I asked if he was in his stable, he was so I went and gave him many cuddles. He seemed a little down in the dumps bless him. I'd chosen to ride the pretty mare I'd rode last Saturday. I mounted her and had her owner with me again today. We took the farm hack this week and I wasn't sure how I'd handle the ride as I was in hospital for a wisdom tooth being removed on Monday so have had anaesthetic and lots of pain relief. I was pleasantly surprised though and managed to sit in the saddle with little issue. I felt very comfortable and in sync with this quick, prancing pony. We were in lead today as she's quite a fast horse and was full of beans. I asked for a trot and got more than I bargained for. Canter! On the path, nooooo! Slowed her to a trot and then halt. Everyone was concerned but I was just like, is she OK? She was fine, standing there like it was the most normal thing in the world, didn't even ask that much for a trot either but Missy thought it was fun to canter on and stood there like butter wouldn't melt. We went onto the field and got another good canter, this time I asked for it. I need to go with her a lot more as her gait is so short and fast but I've only ridden her twice and need to relax into her gait a lot more. We did another trot and this was much more in control and my rhythm was spot on on this trot. Down the cobbles and had a chat with her owner. She asked if her horse was the fastest I'd ridden, I said she probably was and she asked if I liked fast or slow horses, I said I liked fast horses as crazy as that must sound not being able to see. She laughed and said yes but if that's what I liked. It was nice to chat about which horses I liked to ride and why, it gave me a clearer idea of what I like in a horse and what I would be looking for when I eventually loan or buy my own horse. I concluded I like fast horses but don't mind horses with long yet slower gaits. I don't particularly enjoy slow, ploddy horses, as I feel I'm forever getting them to go. This may sound crazy to you guys but I can't help what I like. I also said I like horses that are lighter on the leg aids and light in the mouth. But not too light. Fussy? Maybe. After the cobbles which this particular horse handles nicely as she walks so prancy, you hardly know you're on the cobbles as some of our riding school horses drag their hooves and you have to push on harder with your legs to stop them tripping by keeping them in a forward walk. A last trot which was beautiful! I was totally in her rhythm and I really enjoy her trot now I have mastered the rhythm of it. On the back lane and got her into a canter. My RI asked to lean back and go with her a bit more, I did this and we had about 3 or 4 strides and then she trotted and I lost a stirrup. Her owner thinks the caravan that is parked along the back lane is not to her taste and spooks her a little. Apparently,she doesn't like the back lane oh so much so I didn't really mind that we hadn't got a good canter. I did feel a little unseated after losing that stirrup but didn't fall. The wind made it tough today hearing much so I was glad of someone with me not just because I'm riding an unfamiliar pony but to assist me a little too. We arrived back to the yard and I helped to untack her and gave her a polo. She is such a sweet horse. I really enjoy riding her. Thanks for reading and until tomorrow, Marie

secure in The Saddle

I'm back, yes, oh, so soon? I had my second lesson/ride today in the chilly, drizzly morning air.

I decided to ride the same, tall, cheeky, bay I rode yesterday as I'd had a good ride yesterday and I hoped to repeat a lovely, enjoyable ride. Even this morning, I was all about enjoying it, relaxing and no pressure on myself. This has, so far, worked rather well for me.

I brushed my lovely, tall, bay friend with one of the other girls, even bringing along my own brushes that the parentals had given me as a Christmas gift. He was tacked up, with an exercise sheet, I put my hat on my head and mounted through the muddy puddle and sat lovely in the saddle again. I think it may have been the same saddle I had yesterday. It felt the same. I know some think this can have an affect on your ride and others think it is irrelevant, but I know how I felt yesterday and today in that saddle, it was good!

So we walked on the road route today which I was pretty OK with as we had done the farm hack yesterday. I used a lot of half halting as we were behind other horses today and my lovely, tall, bay friend has a long gait. He's not the fastest horse but he covers a lot of ground. So I felt like I was playing with elastics with my hands today which was fun and it worked well.

My first trot was OK, just needed to keep my heels down more but I got a lovely forward trot from him and felt on the second trot like I was pushing more from the saddle, hence keeping heels down more, elbows in and low, ETC.

There was a small grass area, I've told you we've cantered on grassy places on the road route before, I'm familiar with this one and the young lady walking with me today held on as I'm not as familiar with my tall, bay friend as my tall white one as he is not familiar with me much yet either. So I gave myself a little pet talk, if you don't canter, don't worry, just sit nice in trot, it'll be OK, but still squeeze and push with seat, keep hands forward, elbows in, shoulders back. Yes, that's a long pet talk but I did and we trotted for a few strides, but I stayed in that seat, despite the slight bounce, squeezed again, and off we went into a good canter. Today, I stayed well in my seat and went with him so nicely, it was the best canter I've had in a while. I didn't lose a stirrup, I stayed in position, hands were forward, I felt in control of all of my body and I did not tense and relaxed! Relaxation has been my new theme and it definitely has worked this weekend.

We came off of the grass and the young lady who has been my instructor the most congratulated me on the canter and said my position was good, I went with him, she just wants to see a quicker into canter next time to which I replied, "I'll try but I'm not putting pressure on myself" and she said it was showing. Maybe I finally have unlocked the key to progress, stop getting frustrated and enjoy the rides and take the pressure away and things will happen without the stress. I know, it's a lesson we've all had to learn in life at some point. I just hope my pressure free attitude continues to assist me in future rides.

My last trot was the best I've done yet on my tall bay and my heels stayed down, and it felt amazing. Without realising it, I think my tension had transferred even into other aspects on my rides because walk and trot are also seemingly feeling better.

We got back to the yard and I untacked him, put his lovely rug on and handed over several polos. He was impressed I'd remembered them. I gave him a cuddle and went to put his tack back.

When I was retrieving my bag from outside his stable, I passed the lovely bay beauty who I proceeded to hug. I've missed her while she's been on rest so it was lovely to see her. I treated her to some polos too and then asked if I could brush one of the horses. I brushed an older horse who I've ridden a few times in the early days. It was nice to give his thick coat a nice brush. I'm getting better about walking around the yard to, some of the girls commented on this today. Makes me less dependent on them which feels good for me. So all in all, another successful and progressive ride.

Until next weekend,

Marie

Rain! Rain! and more Rain

I have to say, I don't mind rain as such. Sure, it'd be nicer without it but it was that fine, drizzly stuff that is just yuck today when I went up to the stables.

I had my original instructor today which was nice and I brought in my, usually tall white friend that was probably more true to the name of his colour than what he appears to be today. We brushed him off, to the best of our ability and tacked him up.

I noticed today, that he was listening more to me and doing as I asked when I asked it of him. On previous occasions, he could get easily distracted by food, other horses or my instructor but on the whole today he responded well.

My trotting was pretty good today. We've started this new thing, where she asks me to trot from standing still and then stop after a few strides. I had developed yet another quirky habit where I would pull back on the reins and pull my feet back as though I was asking him to walk on. Yes, I know, crazy, I have no idea why I have been doing that. So that got worked out well today. After the first time I did it, I didn't do it again and he stopped as he was getting the clear signal to do so.

cantering? Yes, lets not talk about that today. It was abysmal. I'm not entirely sure I'll ever canter again because I seemingly have forgotten how to relax and just do it. Chatting with my instructor today, she pointed out that I have done it before and its probably something in my psyche holding me back now. I agree, just not quite sure how to ditch my brain during canter. Maybe I shouldn't think about anything any more while I attempt it as thinking of what needs to be done clearly is not working for me anymore. I have progressed slightly as I am keeping my stirrups still and balance has been fine and not felt like I'm about to fly off and during one attempt today, I did lean back when I knew I was just messing up completely. So I've made a pact with myself, no talking about cantering until I'm at least half way decent again. Feels like I'm back to square one again with it and hate to say this, but it's becoming as frustrating as rising trot once was. Yes, I'm probably over thinking it so need to strategise how now not to think at all. Stupid human brains huh? ;)

Overall, today's lesson was a good one. I felt he was listening to me more and my trot to halt was working well. So overall, a good lesson.

Until next time and thanks for reading

Marie

My Horse advertisement

I'm on the hunt for a loan horse, at the right price, maybe even buying one. However, I'd prefer to loan to begin with but I'm not ruling buying out as it's a good market at the moment. But I have been looking in this area and so far haven't found anything suitable just yet. I know it takes time so I thought I'd write down all of my requirements as they stand. Loan/buy: open to either but prefer part loan to ease into the responsibility of taking care of a horse. Purpose; This sounds obvious right, but even this question in my head needs to be answered. so

• 1. for riding and to get me into more regular riding than my current two days a week lessons.
• 2. Training. I'd like to learn the disciplines of dressage and maybe jumping so having access to a horse on a more regular basis would be great for my training.
• 3. Competing. Yes, it's something I'd like to see how far I can go with.
• 4. Becoming a better horse carer. Learning a horse's needs on a day to day basis and knowing how to take care, groom, care for when, God forbid they're sick, feeding, learning behaviourisms, and all that goes along with owning a horse.

so those are my reasons behind this new venture. We all know once you catch the bug, it generally gets worse not better. hee.

Breed: Cob preferably.
age:8/9 to about 15/16
Colour: No preference
gender: Gelding or filly. Maybe a mare.

I need the horse to be well accustomed to riding with a bridle and saddle, [broken in well]. A calm disposition yet very willing and responsive. No biting/kicking or other majorly undesirable habits. I know no horse is perfect but bad behaviour to the minimal. Well mannered and halts well. I am totally blind and although I know some horses may kick out on occasion or bite, I really don't want to deal with that on a regular daily occurrence. It would be nice if the horse had been socialised around dogs and was comfortable around them as I have a guide dog and he'd be with me most of the time.

an open medical history should be disclosed wherever possible.

size: at least 13.3 HH max 16.5

experience: intermediate or advanced, no novice or retired horses. I need one that is still going to be ridden. Preferably trained in dressage/jumping.
Shoes: This doesn't matter. Whatever is best for the horse.

Loan requirements: to be discussed.

If any of you wonderful horse people have any ideas to add to this, as it's my first time writing an advertisement for a horse, please comment and leave feedback. It probably sounds too simplistic, what I've written.

Thanks again,

Marie