dancing horses

dancing horses

Monday, May 29, 2017

Forward Ho!

Sunday dawned as yet another cold, misty day. I mean seriously mother nature- it's almost June could you warm up already? I had a list of chores I wanted to get done. Starting with planting the two willows. As I was digging the holes in the wet dirt I was longing for a back hoe attachment for the tractor. but in the meantime I figured it was exercise.

I had a lesson booked with Shanea for 1:25 (I know, oddly specific, right?). I got on Carmen about 15 minutes before she arrived. Right as I was tacking up the sun came out so I grabbed my black fly hood. Cynthia bought them at Lee Valley and they are great- they fit right over the helmet and keep them from swarming. Shanea arrived and teased me about the hood. In about 5 minutes she headed down to the tack room to borrow Cynthia's. While she was gone something spooked Carmen in the grass beside the ring and she did a mini-bolt. Because I had her bent around my inside leg I was able to go with her. I just pushed her forward into canter and rode it out. It's funny- I get the adrenalin surge but not the fear anymore. Not that I don't tighten but it's not fear it's me trying to prepare.

Anyway the lesson was all about bending and going forward. I finally was able to do truly understand how to ride a figure 8 properly. Which seems foolish but there you have it. Our struggle is about controlling the forward. In some ways it's a happy problem. Remember when Carmen used to resist going forward and would throw in her haunches, pin her ears and just be pissy? Yeah, me too.

Now I have a horse that wants to go forward. But it can get over the top and then she loses balance. Especially at the canter and T-C or C-T transitions. I had to really figure out my seat to half-halt her instead of using the rein. We got there and things seemed to fall into place.


here I am riding in my 'veil' but it really works!
Admit it- you are jealous....


All in all it was good lesson. I was happy with how we worked together and dealt with whatever was in the grass (there was something there - I could hear it too). Shanea remarked that Carmen seemed to be enjoying the work now. I have to agree. It's not something that she dreads or feels negative about. I may not be the best rider in the world (understatement of the year) and I've had a TON of help but I feel proud when I see how she enjoys coming to work. Even if she makes me work for it. 

All in all it was good lesson. I was happy with how we worked together and dealt with whatever was in the grass (there was something there - I could hear it too). Shanea remarked that Carmen seemed to be enjoying the work now. I have to agree. It's not something that she dreads or feels negative about. I may not be the best rider in the world (understatement of the year) and I've had a TON of help but I feel proud when I see how she enjoys coming to work.  Even if she makes me work for it. 

After my ride I put the finishing touches on some poles that Ed had got for me. Last week I painted them white and yesterday I painted the stripes. I need some more but this will be a good start. 

they look good - as long as you don't look too closely. 
I'm not sure that I can have too many like that but all in all it was a good day. 



27 comments:

  1. Dang. I could use a fly hood for the months of August and September. The flies get so obnoxious at the end of summer that they fly into my eyes, up my nose, in my mouth, and in my ears. The poles look great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can order them on-line if you want one.

      Delete
  2. She is travelling beautifully in the fly hood picture. You should be proud of her and yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those poles look fantastic. Once mosquitoe season arrives I am betting I will be jealous of your fly hood, lol. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The poles look amazing! And I'm glad to hear you like those fly hoods...my friend showed them to me the other day and I wondered! Our muggy temperate rainforest can be quite buggy in the summer and I thought one might make a nice addition to my wardrobe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you. the hood comes in a little mesh back that you can attach to a belt so only use when you need it.

      Delete
  5. Thankfully our bugs aren't that bad or I would be jealous of your fly hood. She looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Our mosquitoes arrived in force this week so I am completely jealous of your hood.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think the fly "veil" is a great idea! You guys look so great :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. thank you. It stops me from shortening the ride due to pests!

      Delete
  8. i kinda love that fly veil! and those poles. what a good feeling to have Carmen is getting really into her work. my guy is starting to make that transformation too and it really changes the feel of our schooling sessions for the better!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That photo is gorgeous! I wish I had your veil for my photography gig in NY this weekend! The bugs were brutal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet. I can't imagine doing distance riding without one

      Delete
  10. That fly hood is an amazing idea!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Carmen is one beautiful horse. Glad the fly hood worked for you, bugs can make you so miserable.

    ReplyDelete
  12. How nice she is looking forward to work! I have a whole outfit to keep the bugs away looks odd but everyone wants it when mosquitoes get bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know- vanity goes out the window when you're getting eaten alive

      Delete
  13. Uhhh you show us a pic of that awesome fly hood and don't tell us non-Canadians where we can buy one? Not fair! haha

    In all seriousness though, you and Carmen look great! And I think your poles look very nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the compliment! Here you go with the link: http://www.leevalley.com/us/Garden/page.aspx?p=10292&cat=2,42407,33240&ap=1

      Delete
  14. She's improving all the time! Whooo! And the poles look so pretty :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I love the feedback.