prowler1971 | Happier Trails

Riding went much better this week than last. I rode Elsie again and set the tone quickly. Walked her around the ring for a good 10 minutes so we could get used to each other. Trotting came along well. She got fidgety late in the lesson. I think she got bored. She threatened to kick out or buck a couple of times but I kept her going. But I did have trouble keeping her on course late in the lesson. I noticed that if my back starts bothering me, a condition attached to my right arm, I tend to lose my ability to control the horse's direction. And my damn foot keeps slipping out of the stirrup. This is something I need to focus on. All in all, much better than last week.

My instructor, Rick, now has five horses of his own at his new place in New Hampshire. Stow I think. He's giving instruction in riding and horsemanship there. Too far for me really.