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As the Lesson Turns #1

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  • #1

    As the Lesson Turns #1

    Good day all!

    As promised in my 'quitter' thread, here is an update of my lesson last night. First off, I was definitely not as anxious or edgy as the week went by and Tuesday approached. So, win right there!

    I got tacked up, boots on, spurs on and mounted all before the coach even came out to the ring. Another small first, but I'm going to take it. The only thing she had to do this week was get me a crop, and eyeball my stirrups. I tightened my own girth and adjusted my stirrups again by myself this week. He lifted a hind leg to get a fly when I did this and, I'm proud to say, I didn't freak out. I would have before.

    The lesson itself was still difficult and frustrating. I feel like I have my leg on (and the spur against him - it's nothing sharp or dangerous to either of us - just an aid to let him know I mean business...now I just need to MEAN business lol), but she tells me, I'm just slip sliding around and my leg loses contact. It took much of the lesson for me to be able to start distinguishing between when the spur/heel was right and when I wasn't close to having any contact with my leg. Hopefully, I can pick that up at the start of next week rather than having most of the lesson go past first. I think my breathing was much better this week, which is remarkable, b/c it's so bloody warm out that it just saps energy and I am pretty sure we ate a lot of dust. Ugh.

    I am really seeing how fitness will make a difference. Hit a point in the lesson where he finally starts to listen and not be bored and we get a good rythmn, but of course it's exactly when I lose energy and my legs start feeling like jello.

    Went for a little ride around the property again and grazed - not much green grass these days!

    The only other comment I think I have is how his trot feels. I'm not sure if it's me and I just haven't got one or it's still getting the feel for his over my mare's. I'm betting it's both b/c I am still working on a forward trot and a 14.2 Paint trot is likely going to be quite different than a 16.2 TB/Clyde LOL!

    Anyhow, that's that! I'll post again in 2 weeks or so and let you know how it's going...don't want to bore you all with a post each week, but I think being on here will help me keep at it. Not that I need you to force me all to go - but it's nice to share with other horse people.

    THANKS!!
    FF
    Last edited by FourFaults; Aug. 4, 2012, 11:56 PM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Good for you! Sounds like you had fun, which I think was the goal, wasn't it?

    Not sure why she has you on a horse that needs a crop and spurs -- I wouldn't give a person without a strong lower leg spurs, personally, but she sounds like a good coach, so maybe it's appropriate. The problem with a crop is if you give em a tap, they can move forward quickly, again a horse that is scary for a person with confidence issues, but if you like your guy, then it's all good. You may just need to carry it to remind him it's there.

    A big draft cross is going to have a big trot, so I am sure you wil get used to it. It's easier to post, anyway.

    Comment

    • #3
      Sounds good! Making progress!

      As you tighten your leg and seat, you'll have an easier time staying on, and you'll become more confident. I would talk to your coach about your position and how much leg to keep on the horse at all times.

      My trainer now has me keep a strong inner thigh and a strong leg all the way down to my calf. Because my inner thighs are engaged, I'm also not pinching with my knee. My seat has improved dramatically and I feel so much more secure!

      Good luck!
      Born under a rock and owned by beasts!

      Comment

      • #4
        I share Kwill's concern about spurs when your leg is still not steady. But as she said, we're not there and your instructor is and she knows the horse.

        I just started using a bat with my horse, and took a lot of convincing from my instructor to get me to do it. But again, it so depends on the horse. Conjure would get mad at me over it at first and surge off, but now he doesn't. I'm sure your lesson horse is the type who doesn't get mad over a crop, right?

        Anyway, it is far more dangerous to have a horse behind your leg than in front - so it may very well be that your instructor is doing the right thing to keep you as safe as possible.

        You're right about fitness, and this godawful heat, but also, just getting used to this horse and getting over your nerves will make a big difference to your breathing.

        I'm the one who recommended the Jane Savoie book to you, but if you don't already have that ordered, add Sally Swift's Centered Riding as well. It's a classic. My first RI had me buy it, twelve years ago, and I still read it today and still learn new stuff from it.
        I'm not ignoring the rules. I'm interpreting the rules. Tamal, The Great British Baking Show

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        • Original Poster
          #5
          Hello!

          Fun - yes! That's what this all started out as, and along the way I had completely forgotten what fun felt like. The past two lessons have been more fun than in quite some time. My favourite part so far is the time I get to spend with him after my lesson. Not having that before didn't help the bonding that's for sure.

          A crop and spurs...she told my hubby why she gave them to me when he came out a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure it's b/c all her school horses are typical school horses that need to be strongly asked to go. Since I haven't really developed a strong leg yet or confidence, they are aids to help me get my buddy moving so I can get a decent trot going and for a long enough time to help me relax and get more confident. The argument is that without them I work waaaay too hard at just asking for a trot and then I'm exhausted. I don't actually use the crop very often. I'd much rather use my leg or try to so it gets stronger. I resisted both at first b/c it's the exact opposite of my other coach who says they should be used as a last resort every single time. My current coach says "they are called aids for a reason!" I imagine as I get better (and I will darn it lol), I can use more leg and less artificial aids. Buddy is cool with them - he doesn't start or get angry so he's fine. Probably just wishes I'd get my stuff together and stop sending mixed messages ... go, no too fast, slow down, stop, no I said go! Didn't I?

          The only time I miss my mare is the trot - I think her big draft trot helped bop me up when I posted so I got to work a bit less once I got her going!

          Paint - signed up for Yoga - start in two weeks! Can you explain how it's more dangerous to have a horse behind your leg than in front? And funny you should mention Centered Riding! My hubby has a co-worker whose daughter rides and realized she had two copies so gave one to him to give to me. Just got it last night!

          Lots of reading to do this weekend!
          FF

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by FourFaults View Post

            Paint - signed up for Yoga - start in two weeks! Can you explain how it's more dangerous to have a horse behind your leg than in front? And funny you should mention Centered Riding! My hubby has a co-worker whose daughter rides and realized she had two copies so gave one to him to give to me. Just got it last night!

            Lots of reading to do this weekend!
            FF
            Sure I'll try. When you have the horse "in front of your leg", s/he's responding to your aids to go forward. You're the one in charge. If the horse falls behind the leg ("sucks back" as some say) it's an evasion. The horse is doing as s/he pleases. In the case of my horse, for example, the next thing that pleases him might be to throw a big old spook and deposit me on the ground.

            Like many things about horses it's kind of counter-intuitive, but you are far safer at a brisk controlled forward pace than a reluctant amble. Think of it like driving a boat - you know how if you go too slowly forward, you wallow around and it's hard to steer? But once you get going fast enough to get up on plane, the boat is much easier to control?

            Centered Riding is a classic. Enjoy.
            I'm not ignoring the rules. I'm interpreting the rules. Tamal, The Great British Baking Show

            Comment

            • #7
              I teach a fair number of returning or nervous riders. It can be very satisfying but it is important to make sure your coach knows how you feel, but don't dwell on it as the more you think about it, the more your issues become bigger than life.

              In front of the leg doesn't mean running off, it just means that your horse is ready and willing to listen to your leg. Behind the leg sometimes means the horse is tipped on the forehand and likely to trip, or day dreaming and more likely to spook should something happen. An attentive horse is a good horse.

              With my lesson horses, often the riders just have to smack their boots or half chaps to make a good sound and the horse gains some attention. With horses, threats often work better than actually punishment! Your coach may think that is odd though. This works well in my program as many of my students feel bad hitting horsey.

              What I also tell my students is not to let the horse make you get out of position; if you find yourself cowboy kicking, rounding your back and driving with your seat to kick more, bringing your heel up to kick or otherwise diviating from correct, you should have used the crop instead.

              Sometimes my riders feel they are being kinder by not using the whip, but by allowing themselves to get out of position, they have become a harder package to carry and cause the horse to get hollow; riding correct is always better for the horse.

              They also get themselves tired way too soon if they allow the horse to make them work that hard.
              Freeing worms from cans everywhere!

              Comment

              • #8
                I usually smack my leg (half chaps) with the crop to make some noise and see if that gets Kieran's attention before actually smacking him with the crop....however, he's developed a much better work ethic than he used to have so squeezing with my legs is typically all that's really necessary to get him moving unless he gets bored with whatever we're doing...and then he needs the reminder.

                Anyway, I was taught that spurs are more for refined lateral aids than for pushing the horse forward, so I never really wear them and I'd really feel uncomfortable doing so when my legs are out of shape and more likely to swing and poke the horse when I don't mean to! At least even then I can better control whether I'm hitting the horse with the crop or not, even if my legs aren't as solid as they ought to be.

                That's just my opinion though and if it works for you (OP) and your instructor and the horse you're riding, more power to you and I'm very glad to see that your enthusiasm is returning.
                The Trials and Jubilations of a Twenty-Something Re-rider
                Happy owner of Kieran the mostly-white-very-large-not-pony.

                Comment

                • #9
                  I'm glad you're finding some enjoyment in the lessons! I think it can be one of those activities where it's easy to get down on yourself and feel like there's so much to improve upon that it can be overwhelming. Also, if you don't know many other riders, not being able to share even the good parts can feel isolating. Keep posting here with your updates, please! It really does help to talk about/share the lessons and both good and bad parts with someone.
                  Along those lines, I believe your lessons are private? Maybe you could ask if there is a semi private lesson you could ride in occasionally, maybe in the near future. My lessons are almost always private, and while I really get a lot from the individual attention, sometimes it can feel disheartening when there's so much to change, fix, adjust, etc! Every once in a while I have to join in with the younger girls (who are more advanced than me, they certainly ride more often, and compete) because of scheduling issues- but other times I'll ask to join in another lesson, for the social aspect. There's also a LOT of learning that happens just from watching and listening to the other riders with the instructor. I also like to take the short breaks from the hot seat (while she's addressing someone else) to feel what i may need to fix, and do it before she gets back to me. It's a nice mini quiz for myself, especially since my trainer is a very, very talkative teacher!

                  Best of luck, and ride on!!

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