This Sunday, I pulled off going to two barns. I went to my lesson barn first and did a group lesson with a couple girls that must have been 13. They were at about the same level as me in riding, although based on their complaints about algebra, I feel like I may have a leg up on other things. Not that it's a competition.
I was riding a pretty grey that acts like a big puppy, named Cesar. For our lesson we formed a ride on the rail and would either pass each other at the trot or canter a large circle from the front of the ride to the back, all while maintaining the same exact distance between each other. We weren't allowed to circle to keep our distance so I had to go deep into corners to keep my distance on my energetic 15hh horse behind a wee pony.
After putting Cesar away, I headed down the road a mile or so to the second barn to ride Calvin. Everyone at the barn is really nice. Calvin is skinny and has some scars from his previous life. The trainer isn't exactly sure of his age, but he's young. He might be just 17 hands, maybe not even, but he seems huge to me because of the lesson ponies. The two-step mounting block requires me to hoist myself up on him. The trainer who lets me ride him was standing with me while I groomed him and we witnessed an owner bring her horse through with chains on his bell boots. One of the girls said it was for saddleseat. When I went into the arena, the owner was pulling off a very high trot and a halt with the bag legs stretched way back. It's interesting to me that it's English style riding, but has developed further in the US.
I walked Calvin around for a while before practicing. When I first started learning to ride, I did get to practice ride a few times by myself, but it was still a strange feeling when I was alone in the indoor! I did a serpentine at the walk, worked on two-point at the trot and worked on cantering without falling in or cutting corners. Calvin tripped a few times at the trot, which my novice riding probably doesn't help. I need to make sure I'm not leaning forward at the canter so I don't throw him off balance. He also tripped his back legs at the trot, which was this weird sort of lurching back feeling. I might have to ask about stumbling horses, because the only remedy I know is to blame the rider, and while I'm sure 110 pounds in the wrong place can throw Calvin off, I'm not sure it should be this frequent.
I was riding a pretty grey that acts like a big puppy, named Cesar. For our lesson we formed a ride on the rail and would either pass each other at the trot or canter a large circle from the front of the ride to the back, all while maintaining the same exact distance between each other. We weren't allowed to circle to keep our distance so I had to go deep into corners to keep my distance on my energetic 15hh horse behind a wee pony.
After putting Cesar away, I headed down the road a mile or so to the second barn to ride Calvin. Everyone at the barn is really nice. Calvin is skinny and has some scars from his previous life. The trainer isn't exactly sure of his age, but he's young. He might be just 17 hands, maybe not even, but he seems huge to me because of the lesson ponies. The two-step mounting block requires me to hoist myself up on him. The trainer who lets me ride him was standing with me while I groomed him and we witnessed an owner bring her horse through with chains on his bell boots. One of the girls said it was for saddleseat. When I went into the arena, the owner was pulling off a very high trot and a halt with the bag legs stretched way back. It's interesting to me that it's English style riding, but has developed further in the US.
I walked Calvin around for a while before practicing. When I first started learning to ride, I did get to practice ride a few times by myself, but it was still a strange feeling when I was alone in the indoor! I did a serpentine at the walk, worked on two-point at the trot and worked on cantering without falling in or cutting corners. Calvin tripped a few times at the trot, which my novice riding probably doesn't help. I need to make sure I'm not leaning forward at the canter so I don't throw him off balance. He also tripped his back legs at the trot, which was this weird sort of lurching back feeling. I might have to ask about stumbling horses, because the only remedy I know is to blame the rider, and while I'm sure 110 pounds in the wrong place can throw Calvin off, I'm not sure it should be this frequent.
Sounds like you found a very nice horse for your practice rides- and the more time you get in the saddle, the faster you will improve (: That's what made me seek out leasing when my lessons were just not enough anymore haha
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's kind of crazy squeezing it all into one day, but I no longer have panic attacks about rush hour leaving work. Maybe someday I will be able to ride more. Thanks for visiting :)
Deletei'm riding a large horse who trips all the time so i know what you mean. for me, it's because he gets lazy with his legs isn't using himself properly so he gets on the forehand or otherwise. i don't know what's going on with calvin but you could ask his trainer to see if there is anything she noticed about that and any advice to consider?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting you say that! I rode him this Sunday, and he only tripped once. It's an improvement. He was tired by then so I do think it must be a connection. The trainer said he's been in better and better shape (he was skin and bones before and his ribs stick out less, has more muscle). I'm also improving as well. I probably feel less stiff to him - I wonder if that helps? Couldn't hurt!
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