Maybe I should try the mechanical bull instead.

[prowler1971]

With only three of us riding, it was a very informal lesson we walked
and trotted and occasionally cantered but we weren't trying.

There were a couple of significant things I learned.

1) When riding in an indoor ring with huge hay bails, one must
establish early with a large horse (Brawney) there he is not there for
a wondrous dining experience. After his third attempt to eat, we
reached an understanding.

2) My knees don't hurt anymore when I ride. I had one little twinge of
pain but other felt great.

3) Pee before you get on the horse. 'nough said.

4) I can survive the horse bucking. Okay, he just kicked out but
still.

5) Brawney likes to follow other horses. If he's walking, he's mostly
fine. But when it's time to trot, he really wants to get behind
another horse. I have no idea why.

So yeah, I didn't get thrown from the horse but he did give me a good
jolt a couple of times. We were trying to do fast trots and every so
often Brawney would break into a canter, which felt okay, but wasn't
what we were trying to do. Getting him to slow from a trot to a walk
when the horse in front of him was still trotting also proved to be
difficult.

I think I lost control when I realized he was willing to kick out I
was a little less stern. I shouldn't have done that. I've learned
Brawney is a stubborn horse with a mind of his own and will do his
best to do what he wants to do, or walk into a post. He doesn't seem
to have an issue with that. He's a big dumb horse.

But I'm posting well, mounting well from the ground, sitting into the
saddle well, and dismounting like a pro. I feel better every time. I
just need to learn to control the stupid beast.

Comments

a comment on bucking

[remj.livejournal.com]

That reminded me of a time when I had an interesting 'bucking' experience on a horse. I was riding Big John. I was told that he was stubborn so I was giving him a good kick to canter each time. Apparently, he was getting used to my commands and I accidentally kicked him too hard, but the next thing I know, I've almost lost my seat. My instructor has burst out laughing.

"What was that?" I asked. I hadn't gone flying forward or anything, I just got some air time.

"He jumped straight up with all four legs!" she laughed.

I must've startled him. Must've been funny to see such a huge horse jump like that.

[fantasmagoria.livejournal.com]

seth! you have a live journal!
this is sara, whose bubbles you attacked with your rapier :). hello!