Riding!

[blueeowyn]

OK, a little background for some of you. When I as 5 or 6, I spent the summer at my aunt's house and was primarily on horseback (apparently I was a very easy kid to take care of, wake up, eat, ride, eat, nap, ride, eat, sleep). I then took lessons with campfire in 6th grade, then got lessons at a barn for just over a year with an impressive lack of consistency (12 instructors in 14 months and they were contradicting each other). Then some time off, then I rode with the same barn for several years. During that time I met Dancer, had a spectacular fall (woke up in the emergency room kind of fall), lost my nerve for jumping (so kept being in the lower level classes since it was a hunter/jumper barn), got some nerve back, joined a light-contact joust troup and did the upside down jump of death (knight does a shoulder stand, spreads legs, we jump the low point). I bought Dancer and ended up moving her to another location (it was really hard to find time to ride w/out interferring with lessons). Then I got hurt. I blew my right rotator cuff in October 1991 (and the Cockroach missed the diagnosis so the half-assed PT was the wrong kind). *sigh* Didn't ride for quite awhile. Finally got to riding again but no instruction. Moved Dancer to the farm to breed her, rode there a bit, moved back 'home', rode lightly, then moved her back to re-breed. Had lessons for awhile there but then she was too preggers. After Echo was born (1996), I blew the rotator cuff again (August 1996) took about 7 weeks to get into PT but it was the right kind. I got movement back but the shoulder was still weak, sore, and goes numb in certain places. Then we tried to put Dancer back into work and she got an abcess and was off, then I was off. Then we retired her (it was too risky to her to try to bring her back into full work, she had lost too much muscle after Echo was born ... and she was in her 20s and they don't bounce back). In Spring/early summer 2002, I had my last ride at faster than a walk on xpioti's horse and had an unwanted dismount and got my finger damaged (the x-rays say it wasn't broken but the knuckle still looks weird to me).

Since then I have had some walking out horses (Maggie and Echo) but that was over a year ago.

Until last night.


I had my first Peter lesson. Originally the plan had been to put me on a lunge line (so 'all' I have to worry about it balance and position and he controls the horse). But the lunge horse kept not being available when I was (his owner is riding him more). But they have the limited use of another school horse for a bit. So, I am riding Clint, a mid-20s gelding who recently was doing 4 lessons a day. Brought him in the main barn, got him clean, got me dressed (I had to duct tape my old half-chaps because I still haven't sistered them and can't justify to myself the cost of custom chaps), got him dressed and off we went. No lunge. Just ride. OOOkkkay.

Peter gave me a crop and said I would need it (I suspect that the old man knew I had it and that was enough ... a lot of schoolies are like that). Up I went and off we went. Fortunately for my comfort and peace of mind, we were using my saddle (the saddles I rode in a year ago were not quite right for me) and my special stirrups (I cannot be dragged in these stirrups but they don't look as wonky as the modern peacock ones with the rubber band on the outside).

After walking abit and getting used to him (da-dum de-dum, da-dum de-dum) I was told to "rev this thing up and trot". This was not unexpected (trot will do a lot to sort you out). I was quite frankly all over the place (but did succeed in the 1st rule of riding ... keep the horse between yourself and the ground). I was forward, off balance, off-timing, legs a kilter, not much steering, etc.). UGH

However, I slowly got more and more of it together. Eventually booted my clue server that having the stirrups the same length would be a GoodThing (no wonder I kept losing my left stirrup). Shortened it and things were better. More trotting. Then change the rein (switch directions). Well, I now know what Mr. Clint thinks of going to the left. He is NOT happy about it and was a bit of a wiggle-worm and his stride was throwing me sideways as well as up. Weird! He also is convinced that conversation (equine) is necessary if he is the only hooved one in the ring, the door requires a stop, and Peter will save him (accel towards Peter, slow/stop by the door).

Eventually my body started really remembering some of the stuff that Tory and Dancer beat into me 10 years ago. In many ways, Dancer was a wonderful teacher because if you did certain sins, she made sure you knew you were sinning. However, some of her ideas of sins are actually GoodThings. Fond grin in memory of the old girl.

I would get it together for 3-5 strides, lose it for 1-2, then get it back. Then Peter said, Canter. My hindbrain went WHAT?!?!@?!??!!!!!!! The last time I cantered I went flying. The time before that I almost went flying. EEEP! So, he was trying to tell me how to cue this hunter type horse (I took a walk break to listen, I couldn't hear over my own panting at the other end). So, off we tried. Well, we were still going to the left (Mr. Clint's unhappy side) and got the wrong lead multiple times. Peter finally (mercifully) had us reverse and try to the right. Bingo. Now, I am still somewhat used to Dancer and you thought Canter and she went. Strong leg aids meant "remember your fore-bears Man o' War, John P. Grier and Native Dancer ... act like them and CHARGE". Clint is a bit different to say the least. He likes slow ... he likes trot more than canter and will break given half a chance.

So, we got 3 strides ... then 5 strides ... then 5 strides, 1 stride of trot 5 strides. then 3/4 of the ring ... then ALL THE WAY AROUND. WOOT!

Then Peter had us change directions. Uh oh (at this point, I am quite aware that I am using parts of my body that haven't see the proverbial light of day in 10 years). However, we get the correct lead on the 2nd try (I'm getting better, really I am) and after the series of canter-break-canter-break attempt-continue canter. We made it 1.5 times around the ring and I asked for trot (Peter quite rightly didn't remember asking me to stop).

So, I walked, trotted, cantered. Peter was asking how many stairs where I work, I said 3 flights but I work only 1 flight up and he said good because I wasn't going to want to do stairs today. Well, my left knee really doesn't want to do stairs, my legs aren't happy but will do them (of course I have gone up 3 flights and down 4 so far today). My seat is letting me know I need to learn more, parts of my legs are letting me know.

After grooming Clint and giving him some goodies, I put him away, fed Alvin (retired grey beast who has cancer but has good quality of life at the moment) and Jacob (cute donkey) some treats. Pulled Echo out of her stall and groomed her a bit (OK, I grooma'd her to get some of the shedding fur off and then curried the rest off a bit and did her favorite face brushing). Mom seeded her stall with goodies and we put her away to enjoy the feast. Sat with Ernie (aka Thunderpurr) one of the barn cats until the rain let up, headed to dinner and home.

However, Peter seemed reasonably happy with how I did and could see when I would get it (briefly). He also jovially pointed out that Saturday will be worse than today. Right now the parts that feel are back, right shoulder (from fighting the barn door and grooming Echo), calves (esp. left), shins (need to not tippy toe), quads (main pain), and glutes (2nd pain).

I wonder how long Peter will let me get away without doing work without stirrups. Hopefully a while longer.


The good news is that I am fairly sure I wasn't pinching with my knees. I was sitting back at least some of the time. I could keep my legs reasonably still with the heels down at least some of the time. I started to get a feel of Clint and could remind him to keep going before he broke. And I breathe while riding. The bad news is that I can't (yet) keep my legs still most of the time, I need to be more consistent sitting back, I need to work on my aerobic capacity, and I need to post WITH the horse.

Comments

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

This was excessively cool to read.

I missed the Barn and all your horsies.

Good luck tomorrow!

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

Peter was positively gleeful saying "that'll do it" when I mentioned that tomorrow I will be going to a funeral (friend's mother passed away) then probably walking all over Six Flags and riding the coasters.

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

Wow. Sounds like sooo much fun! I always wanted to learn, but aside from a few 1 hour rentals, I've never done so. Thanks for the vicarious ride. :)

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

Well, you can try to find a good stable to learn at. I don't know how long the farm will have Clint to use (he is on a temporary loan) but the guy who owns him is getting a farm and has used him for teaching before. The current location isn't THAT far from where you are (I don't know where the new place for Mr. Clint is).

[wilhelmina-d.livejournal.com]

Nah... thanks for the suggestion, but a) it takes real dedication to be a rider and work with an animal, building trust, etc and b) I'd probably have to lose 100 lbs (not kidding) before it'd be safe for me to be up on a horse's back. One day, maybe. When I'm fabulously wealthy and have time for all of my many interests and passions. :)

In the meantime, I'll just enjoy your and xpioti's activities vicariously.

[moderndayviking.livejournal.com]

:: claps:: Congrats on everything you did!! That is not easy.

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

Bow ... thank you

As Peter said, I would be hearing from muscles and tendons and ligs that I forgot I had. He was right (but he almost always is). Having a couple days off from riding in some ways is a bad thing, but in some ways I suspect is a good thing. And aw shucks, one of the tack stores near the barn is having a sale this weekend. GRIN Maybe I should get a new helmet (mine IS rather old).

Any ideas on how/where to either have new 1/2 chaps that are too small expanded or get some that will fit the 'ThunderCalves' that I am endowed with (19" around at largest measurement).)

[amalphiea.livejournal.com]

You Rock!

[turnberryknkn.livejournal.com]

(smile) Hooray, and welcome back. :-)

[squire-liz.livejournal.com]

*claps* Yay!! I'm extactic for you hon!. I really need to get on horesback. :) :)

[cozit.livejournal.com]

Always feel sorry for those who need to learn how to catch the rythm of posting. I got lucky there... it's the *one* thing I'm a natural at, so I only had to work a bit at smoothing it out.

And believe it or not, a canter is *way* easier than a trot, although collecting and lengthening takes a bit of practice. Hmmm... though it's also harder to 'feel' how to go with the horse in a canter, so maybe that's part of the issue you have with it.

Sigh... I miss riding. I even miss working with the real beginner riders a bit. I *probably* have the nerve to do so again (school horses are the dumbest things ever when taken out of the ring to ride). But right now I'm over 200 lbs, and wouldn't do that to any horse I could ride. (not to mention that little ankle issue I've got going would make it rather difficult with stirrups, and I'm *way* too out of practice not to use them as a crutch at this point.

The pain that you're dealing with right now? *That's* another thing I don't miss about when I couldn't ride frequently (and even when I did.... you know there are weight machines at my gym that are *really* good for working out some of that ouch and putting a bit of muscle where needed as well... if you use them right).

Oh... and the chaps? You could always make or get them made for you. Or... I'm not sure just how much difference there is (I had riding pants, not chaps), but have you looked at motorcycle chaps? Someone has *got* to be making them up to sizes you wouldn't dream of actually achieving in your worst nightmares.

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

I know that canter is usually easier than trot (though in my experience, it does depend somewhat on the horse). With Clint, the trot tends to stay trotting, the canter tends to want to go to trot so it is more work to keep him going at the canter ... and with cantering, you have to get him on the correct lead.

I am usually not bad at posting but I was slightly off (and correcting in mid-air). I'll get it back(eventually). The hard parts for me were: his natural rhythm isn't, he is waaaay different on his stiff side, he would decide to quicken or slow (or lengthen or collect) without a lot of input from me so staying with him was harder. I got spoiled by Dancer. I'm just not used to riding a horse that makes you work at keeping him going forward (with Dancer, the hard part was 'whoa').

The half-chaps I use are essentially strap on boots. They buffer the lower leg from the abrasion of the stirrup leather (esp. if your legs aren't sufficiently quiet). However, with the velcro, you need to be careful to NOT catch the 'sharp' side between you and the stirrup leather (esp. when wearing tights ... yes this is experience talking). Fortunately, I think I have found a store that can order half-chaps with velcro for a sane price.

And I ordered a pair of riding pants as well (seeing as how the seam in regular jeans when wrapped around under the chaps leaves fascinating blisters on the back of the knee ... so no, I was NOT pinching with the knee).

[cozit.livejournal.com]

Ouch! I hope they're the type of blister that goes away *fast*!