Lesson Nine

Wow what a wonderful lesson!

We went to the new facility for the first time today, it is out a little past Duvall, WA on the Duvall-Monroe Road.  It is very different, tucked up against the hill in a beautiful valley, with the 150 acres of land hugging that hill and extending a little out into the valley itself.

I graduated to using a western bridle this lesson, and wow what a difference.  Cypress was the easiest he's ever been for me, very responsive not just from the reins but also less pressure and to shifts in weight.  In fact a few times when I was trying to get into a better position in the saddle he said "Oh!  You want to GOOOOO"

I gave him one of your cookies at the beginning of the lesson and he loved it.  He kept searching me for more, and when I held out the same hand I fed him with earlier so he could sniff it and see there was no cookie, he started eating my hand.  It was a little surreal to have a horse munching on my hand, it didn't hurt, he didn't apply real pressure, but I felt his teeth.  I was very amused.

Lots of work on steering and western trot, which I got into very well today and it was great.  Also worked on turning on the rear hooves.  That was harder, I had some success but it will take more work.  Turning on the fore went okay.  Also worked on sharpening turns by leaning back and to the opposite side of the turn, which went well.

I gave him another cookie at the end, and told him they were from you.

Comments

[karrie]

Glad that you're 'back in the saddle' again. I don't know if you're ready for it yet, but I have a couple of book suggestions. With an activity like riding, I think it is important to become comfortable in your body before you get into your head too much, it's easy to overanalyze things unless you know what it is that you're 'looking for' (feeling for from the horse). In any case, if you're interested, I'd start with Sally Swift's "Centered Riding". Great illustrations and examples of how to connect with the horse (and not get too much into your head). I can't wait to read about the next lesson!