This was a very hectic week with Dave “gone fishin” in Canada – which means that it was just me and Indy at the farm, and we were busy! We didn’t get any riding lessons in unfortunately, but Indy and I had some great bonding time, so that makes it wonderful. Dave finally arrived home on Friday, so Saturday consisted of catching up on outside chores around the house like mowing, dragging, weed-wacking, gardening, fence-fixing, watering, etc. After a long day on Saturday, we celebrated Father’s Day by just lounging around in the beautiful weather. Dave gave me a couple hours in the late afternoon to play with horses, so I took him up on it.
Bug has been ridden in the arena for the past couple of weeks as I build my confidence in an English saddle, but I had enough of the arena…… boring. So I mustered up some confidence and saddled him up and took him out to gallop around the pasture and the hay field. Yesterday I scoped carefully for gopher and woodchuck holes, and we had the green light. As I turned the corner to hit the straights, I gave him a little leg, kissed to him and he broke into a beautiful canter. I was a bit nervous, but I quickly realized that if I just relax and sit the canter, it’s easy! I’ve been cantering and galloping Gunner out on trail rides and across the field, but that was different. I was in my big western saddle, on little 15.1 quarterhorse Gunner, who has a small stride. This time I was on Bug – 16.3, long-strided thoroughbred, in a little bitty English saddle. Wow. I felt great, and I think my confidence boosted about 2 notches. Plus, this new English saddle of mine is 5 times more comfortable than my western saddle even thought of being – And I have an awesome Circle Y western saddle that is pretty comfy on trail rides!!! Anyway, I went around and around and gave Bug a pretty good workout, and worked on keeping my feet quiet, my hands quiet, and my seat moving with him. It was awesome. I felt like we could have ridden anywhere, and being outside the arena fence wasn’t so frightening after all. I can’t wait to do it again. I’ve heard from the Eventing Radio show that many riders do their flatwork out in the middle of a field – and I can start to understand why. Instead of letting the fence be my guide, my seat was, and I felt that Bug was paying closer attention to where I was pointing him and looking than just following the fence line in a circle. – now I fully understand the “look where you’re going” instruction that Billie engrained in me. I’m very excited to do another lesson. If only my horse money tree would really bloom!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Lessons Learned
Saturday morning was the first time I ever hosted numerous riding lessons at our place. A few of my friends came over with their horses and we all took riding lessons from Billie. It went great, but I’ve learned a few things….
1. Make more blueberry muffins. By the time I got around to snagging one, they were gone. Dang!
2. Have plenty of beverages on hand. I felt like a big dummy because I only had two sodas and kool-aid to offer my guests. I forgot to buy enough beverages for everyone. Although I wasn’t getting paid for anything, I wasn’t a very good host when I can’t even offer juice with the muffins or a cold soda in the afternoon after a very hot day. Jeez.
3. Have an actual schedule. That way the instructor can know who’s up next, when she can take a break, and everyone knows when they need to be ready.
4. Don’t go last. Five people were before me, and when I finally got in the saddle, I was hitting information overload, the sun was the most intense, and I was just plum tired and so was the instructor. We got a good lesson in, but I think I would prefer going first, that way I can sit back and relax and simply watch the others instead of trying too hard to play hostess. The Saturday lessons were great though, and i'm looking forward to hosting another one.
Bug and I had a good lesson, but learning how to ask him to bend at the trot (there’s an actual name for it, but I forgot) has been the most challenging so far. For some reason I just wasn’t getting it. He did it a few times, but I think he was confused as to what I was asking, because I’m sure I wasn’t asking very clearly. He kept wanting to turn, so I need to keep my outside rein solid and he gives me a little bend to work that inside hind leg. I felt like I was a complete mess – not as much excitement and warm fuzzies as my previous lessons, but I guess you’ll have those. I’m anxious to practice practice practice. I think the first chance I get I’m going to take Bug out of the ring and see if I can just frog around at the trot in the field just to get my feet planted in the stirrup during the post.
Wish I could afford lessons at least 3 times a week – but that money tree hasn’t really bloomed yet. I have foregone my hair appt, a pedicure and a night out with the girls to afford my last two lessons…what can I sacrifice next? I’ll think of something. :)
1. Make more blueberry muffins. By the time I got around to snagging one, they were gone. Dang!
2. Have plenty of beverages on hand. I felt like a big dummy because I only had two sodas and kool-aid to offer my guests. I forgot to buy enough beverages for everyone. Although I wasn’t getting paid for anything, I wasn’t a very good host when I can’t even offer juice with the muffins or a cold soda in the afternoon after a very hot day. Jeez.
3. Have an actual schedule. That way the instructor can know who’s up next, when she can take a break, and everyone knows when they need to be ready.
4. Don’t go last. Five people were before me, and when I finally got in the saddle, I was hitting information overload, the sun was the most intense, and I was just plum tired and so was the instructor. We got a good lesson in, but I think I would prefer going first, that way I can sit back and relax and simply watch the others instead of trying too hard to play hostess. The Saturday lessons were great though, and i'm looking forward to hosting another one.
Bug and I had a good lesson, but learning how to ask him to bend at the trot (there’s an actual name for it, but I forgot) has been the most challenging so far. For some reason I just wasn’t getting it. He did it a few times, but I think he was confused as to what I was asking, because I’m sure I wasn’t asking very clearly. He kept wanting to turn, so I need to keep my outside rein solid and he gives me a little bend to work that inside hind leg. I felt like I was a complete mess – not as much excitement and warm fuzzies as my previous lessons, but I guess you’ll have those. I’m anxious to practice practice practice. I think the first chance I get I’m going to take Bug out of the ring and see if I can just frog around at the trot in the field just to get my feet planted in the stirrup during the post.
Wish I could afford lessons at least 3 times a week – but that money tree hasn’t really bloomed yet. I have foregone my hair appt, a pedicure and a night out with the girls to afford my last two lessons…what can I sacrifice next? I’ll think of something. :)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mud and "Gonna Fly Now..."
On my way home from work my husband called and said that he drug the arena a few times, but it still seemed to slippery for me and 3 of my friends to have lessons. Dang it! So, I called Billie and we rescheduled for Saturday morning. I was really disappointed – which is sort of interesting because when I was younger I would have given ANYTHING for my piano lessons to be cancelled because of weather or mud. This is so different. But, because Saturday will work out for everybody, I can be patient for a couple more days.
Instead, my neighbor came over and we took out my other horses for a spin around the field. Both of them were on their best behavior, even Gunner who had to take my neighbor and her 4-year old daughter who argued with her mom constantly that she should take the reins. I cringed at first thinking, “oh, please be good, Gunner, PLEASE be good.” He was a perfect gentleman, and my neighbor commented, “why can’t my horse be this well-behaved?” I was very proud of him.
Bug, not getting any attention – decided to run along the fence and play and kick up his heels. It made me realize how far he’s come. When he first came to us, he could barely walk from the farrier having to take as much of the rotten hoof off as possible, and build from there. I don’t even think he was ever even allowed to graze and be a horse. His life was a stall, and showing, back to the stall, and show some more, and then get a new owner, back to a stall….and over and over again. Now all we have to do is build up some muscle….and when I was thinking about that, all I could think about was the “Theme from Rocky” playing in the background as he was cruising around. Yeah – I know, cheesy – but hey, I gre up in the 80’s – what can I say. The Joint Armor he’s been on for almost four weeks is really making a difference with his joints. He doesn’t crack and creek like he used to, and he moves 10 times better.
So, hopefully the clouds will stay at bay until Saturday….can’t wait to take another lesson.
Instead, my neighbor came over and we took out my other horses for a spin around the field. Both of them were on their best behavior, even Gunner who had to take my neighbor and her 4-year old daughter who argued with her mom constantly that she should take the reins. I cringed at first thinking, “oh, please be good, Gunner, PLEASE be good.” He was a perfect gentleman, and my neighbor commented, “why can’t my horse be this well-behaved?” I was very proud of him.
Bug, not getting any attention – decided to run along the fence and play and kick up his heels. It made me realize how far he’s come. When he first came to us, he could barely walk from the farrier having to take as much of the rotten hoof off as possible, and build from there. I don’t even think he was ever even allowed to graze and be a horse. His life was a stall, and showing, back to the stall, and show some more, and then get a new owner, back to a stall….and over and over again. Now all we have to do is build up some muscle….and when I was thinking about that, all I could think about was the “Theme from Rocky” playing in the background as he was cruising around. Yeah – I know, cheesy – but hey, I gre up in the 80’s – what can I say. The Joint Armor he’s been on for almost four weeks is really making a difference with his joints. He doesn’t crack and creek like he used to, and he moves 10 times better.
So, hopefully the clouds will stay at bay until Saturday….can’t wait to take another lesson.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Is it Summer yet?
The weather has not been cooperating here in Wisconsin. I mean seriously….40 degrees? Are you kidding me? I’m used to weird and wacky weather in Wisconsin, but when it’s June and I have a riding agenda, I’m not as patient about weird weather it as I used to be.
Last Thursday the farrier put front shoes on Bug. It was funny because Bug held his foot there like, “Jeez mom, I was wondering when you were going to put these back on.” Hopefully that will solve a few feet problems. Because of our crummy, rainy, cold weather, I haven’t had anytime to practice, and Bug and I have another lesson tonight. I’m going to sneak home at lunch time, drag the arena, and hopefully the sun will obey the weatherman and peer out this afternoon. If not, there’s always a good ole ground work lesson, or perhaps go through a magazine or two with my instructor and circle the things I will need to buy within the next few months in order to prep for my first real test. I love buying horse things – would rather shop for horse stuff than go to a mall anyday. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a sucker for a great pair of shoes, and a comfy pair of jeans, but the stars have to be aligned just right for me to enjoy clothes shopping. I absolutely hate it.
Last night I went out to the barn after I put my son to bed, and I was feeding Bug his supplement. I was leaning up against him as he was munching on grain, and he was so warm and snuggly. I was surprised that he wasn’t covered in mud like my other two horses. Bug likes to be clean and slicked up – he loves a good grooming session. My other horse, Gunner – man, give him a groom and 2 minutes later he’s rolling - like clockwork. Anyway, as I was standing there, I thought a minute about how blessed I am to have a husband who allows me to be horse crazy, a son who tolerates putting his boots on hanging out at the barn sometimes (“Look mommy, horsey!), and three horses that nicker to me every single time I walk down to the barn – whether it’s dinner time or not.
Can’t wait for the lesson tonight even if the sun decides to stay in hibernation. Hopefully I won’t have to put a stick behind my back like last time – but I wouldn’t be surprised if I had to do it again. It really worked! Let’s see – I have to remember….shoulders back, sit up straight, hands back, heels down, hips up, look where you’re going, knees loose, absorb the shock, sit two, extend….what?!?! Practice practice, practice.
Last Thursday the farrier put front shoes on Bug. It was funny because Bug held his foot there like, “Jeez mom, I was wondering when you were going to put these back on.” Hopefully that will solve a few feet problems. Because of our crummy, rainy, cold weather, I haven’t had anytime to practice, and Bug and I have another lesson tonight. I’m going to sneak home at lunch time, drag the arena, and hopefully the sun will obey the weatherman and peer out this afternoon. If not, there’s always a good ole ground work lesson, or perhaps go through a magazine or two with my instructor and circle the things I will need to buy within the next few months in order to prep for my first real test. I love buying horse things – would rather shop for horse stuff than go to a mall anyday. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a sucker for a great pair of shoes, and a comfy pair of jeans, but the stars have to be aligned just right for me to enjoy clothes shopping. I absolutely hate it.
Last night I went out to the barn after I put my son to bed, and I was feeding Bug his supplement. I was leaning up against him as he was munching on grain, and he was so warm and snuggly. I was surprised that he wasn’t covered in mud like my other two horses. Bug likes to be clean and slicked up – he loves a good grooming session. My other horse, Gunner – man, give him a groom and 2 minutes later he’s rolling - like clockwork. Anyway, as I was standing there, I thought a minute about how blessed I am to have a husband who allows me to be horse crazy, a son who tolerates putting his boots on hanging out at the barn sometimes (“Look mommy, horsey!), and three horses that nicker to me every single time I walk down to the barn – whether it’s dinner time or not.
Can’t wait for the lesson tonight even if the sun decides to stay in hibernation. Hopefully I won’t have to put a stick behind my back like last time – but I wouldn’t be surprised if I had to do it again. It really worked! Let’s see – I have to remember….shoulders back, sit up straight, hands back, heels down, hips up, look where you’re going, knees loose, absorb the shock, sit two, extend….what?!?! Practice practice, practice.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Welcome to my blog! I’m very excited to share Bug’s and my journey of becoming an eventing duo. Last night I had my second lesson with my new instructor, and it was interesting to say the least. As we’re working on Dressage principles, I needed some help with my arm and hand placement, and not going a very good job at it. So, Billie, my instructor, put a dressage whip behind my back and through my elbows – which made me sit up straight, my back to arch, my hands to stay put – and let’s not forget the little red welts by my elbows afterwards from the stick – but seriously – it worked! Wow, what a difference it made in my position, and the way Bug and I communicated. I learned to make him stop with only my seat, which I never even knew I could do. The rest of the lesson went fantastic. I didn’t want to quit. Billie believes that we will be ready to do our first show/competition at novice beginner this fall. I almost peeed my pants. “Really? Are you serious?” I’ve never done ANYTHING like that before…only riding in parades and some trail rides….so I’m very excited.
The bad news is Bug’s poor feet are starting to take a beating. When Bug came to our barn, we took off his shoes and seen that his hooves were rotten from having shoes on in a urine soaked stall for several weeks past the recommended limit for shoes to stay on. The sole of his hoof was gooey and rotten. My farrier has been working on getting his feet strong ever since. He’s been shoeless for 2 years now, but I think the shoes will really help. My farrier comes this afternoon, and I’m anxious to let him see what’s going on.
The other day, I was holding my 22-month old son, and he tapped on my helmet and said, “Crash?” I bursted out laughing, because I figure his daddy must have taught him that. As we go on this new journey, I’ve never been more excited about riding and horses in my life. In fact, I never wore a helmet, breeches, chaps, gloves, etc. before. It was always about just throwing my western saddle on and taking off across the field. I have so much to learn about everything. I think I could have 5 lessons on just the ground (pulling manes, shaving a bridle path that isn’t 6 inches long -my instructor noticed that one last night…oops – even bits, and bridles, and everything. Anyone out there know how to make your butt look smaller in breeches? Holly smokes! They’re waaaay more comfortable than jeans, but wow. Something about the full-seat says – “look at my butt.!”
My homework for the week – get Bug’s feet situation under control, start him on some muscle building strategy, and practice, practice practice.
Ride On, Amy
The bad news is Bug’s poor feet are starting to take a beating. When Bug came to our barn, we took off his shoes and seen that his hooves were rotten from having shoes on in a urine soaked stall for several weeks past the recommended limit for shoes to stay on. The sole of his hoof was gooey and rotten. My farrier has been working on getting his feet strong ever since. He’s been shoeless for 2 years now, but I think the shoes will really help. My farrier comes this afternoon, and I’m anxious to let him see what’s going on.
The other day, I was holding my 22-month old son, and he tapped on my helmet and said, “Crash?” I bursted out laughing, because I figure his daddy must have taught him that. As we go on this new journey, I’ve never been more excited about riding and horses in my life. In fact, I never wore a helmet, breeches, chaps, gloves, etc. before. It was always about just throwing my western saddle on and taking off across the field. I have so much to learn about everything. I think I could have 5 lessons on just the ground (pulling manes, shaving a bridle path that isn’t 6 inches long -my instructor noticed that one last night…oops – even bits, and bridles, and everything. Anyone out there know how to make your butt look smaller in breeches? Holly smokes! They’re waaaay more comfortable than jeans, but wow. Something about the full-seat says – “look at my butt.!”
My homework for the week – get Bug’s feet situation under control, start him on some muscle building strategy, and practice, practice practice.
Ride On, Amy
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