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Monday Night Riding, back in the Saddle
Jul. 22nd, 2003 03:40 pmAfter missing a week due to illness, it was back to the riding ring. With only Stephen, Chris and I in attendence, we decided to take advantage of having Rick's attention and ride in the ring. We used the outdoor ring since it was only threatening rain and there was a huge hay truck in the barn. Talk about a distraction.
Rick decided to put me on a smaller horse than usual. One that reacts well but wasn't as big as Brawny or the other horses I'd rode in the past. It was a horse named Zippo (for reasons unknown) and he kept looking at me funny. I swear he was depressed about something. Anyway, the fact I've lost weight was a good thing apparently so Rick could put me on this horse.
Well, I mount this horse and the first problem becomes evident. The saddle is too small for me. I felt squeezed in and problems would come from this later. I mentioned this right away, I don't think Rick heard me as later he said, "That saddle seems a little small for you." Yeah.
But the horse was easy to ride, I practiced controlling the horse, neck reigning, some direct reigning, posting around corners. Riding around barrels. Zippo went up to a very comfortable canter a couple of times, which he wasn't supposed to do, so I slowed him back down to a trot.
I realized some of the pitfalls I'll have to deal with if I ever learn to joust. One thing they teach us is to keep your hand in front of the saddle and close to the horse's neck. If I have a shield in that hand, I won't be able to do that. In addition, when the shield is hit, it will jerk my arm and who knows how the horse will react to that? I imagine if I can learn to ride without using my hands I'll be far better off.
It was a good night. I got off the horse without my knees hurting but I did hit a rather sensitive area against the saddle horn while posting. Damn too small saddle. As usual, looking forward to next week.
Rick decided to put me on a smaller horse than usual. One that reacts well but wasn't as big as Brawny or the other horses I'd rode in the past. It was a horse named Zippo (for reasons unknown) and he kept looking at me funny. I swear he was depressed about something. Anyway, the fact I've lost weight was a good thing apparently so Rick could put me on this horse.
Well, I mount this horse and the first problem becomes evident. The saddle is too small for me. I felt squeezed in and problems would come from this later. I mentioned this right away, I don't think Rick heard me as later he said, "That saddle seems a little small for you." Yeah.
But the horse was easy to ride, I practiced controlling the horse, neck reigning, some direct reigning, posting around corners. Riding around barrels. Zippo went up to a very comfortable canter a couple of times, which he wasn't supposed to do, so I slowed him back down to a trot.
I realized some of the pitfalls I'll have to deal with if I ever learn to joust. One thing they teach us is to keep your hand in front of the saddle and close to the horse's neck. If I have a shield in that hand, I won't be able to do that. In addition, when the shield is hit, it will jerk my arm and who knows how the horse will react to that? I imagine if I can learn to ride without using my hands I'll be far better off.
It was a good night. I got off the horse without my knees hurting but I did hit a rather sensitive area against the saddle horn while posting. Damn too small saddle. As usual, looking forward to next week.
