Happy to report that steering was great in ride one. Hard to say for sure why. I was super secure in my seat today, staying down evenly in both of my legs, at least partially because I cleaned and conditioned my tack the other night, and I felt extra grippy. Another good reason to keep your tack clean. ;)
The grippy-ness was very helpful just a short time later as we started our trot work. Val put his head down, and surged forward with a buck, crow hop and several strong canter strides. Surprise!! I haven't come anywhere close to tapping this horse's power. Can't wait until I'm brave enough.
Stayed put on my horse through his shenanigans, thank goodness. Then I hopped off with my knees feeling totally like jelly, adjusted the saddle and continued the ride. I took a deep breath and asked for the trot again. No problem... more trotting, turns on the forehand, transitions and cone work. Val was anticipating my requests, which made me laugh, and also plan some different activities for our next session. Other than his saddle discomfort protest - we had a very productive ride.
 |
| Saddle feels better now... |
Afterwords we grazed in the Bermuda Triangle of horse eating monsters. Val was the calmest he's been in that area, only looking up from his grass a few times at some loud birds. He ignored Cowboy's calling when we were out of sight, and led back to the paddock keeping perfect pace with me.
 |
| Doesn't it look scary to you?! |
 | ||
| Lord knows what's lurking here!! |
We had a rinse off, some carrot stretches, and then did a little trailer loading practice. Twice with no delays. Per-fect!! When a boy is that good he should definitely reap the rewards. :)
 |
| We love it in the trailer - there's gingersnaps in here! :) |
Sun is shining, good seat, legs felt like jelly, excellent turns...hmmm...sounds like a recipe for a good ride! Congrats! Soooo, clean tack = extra grippiness. I guess I know what I will be doing this weekend! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on Venice Turpentine. I will definitely look for it. My vet mentioned painting his soles with something. Funny we both have gray horses with thin soles.
ReplyDeleteGreat work staying on through the saddle wiggles!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are practicing loading and not going anywhere at that exact moment. So good for Val. If I ever get a trailer, I will follow your lead. So nice to make sure they are calm and ho-hum about trailers.
We too are seeing positive changes post dentist... Cody is carrying his head and neck in a much more relaxed and balanced way, and the pony seems incredibly soft and forward. I haven't ridden Keil Bay yet but I suspect I will also see something good when I do!
ReplyDeleteGlad you kept your seat through his antics. The Bermuda Triangle doesn't look scary to me but then I'm not a horse and you never know what monsters could be lurking. Sounds like you had a great day with Val and I love the picture of him looking back at you with his approval of a better saddle placement. Our horses are such characters.
ReplyDeleteWhy, isn't that Sasquatch lurking in the left side of the second Bermuda Triangle photo?
ReplyDeleteVal is just the handsomest! And such a good, brave boy, even with the silliness:)
ReplyDeleteI am also the proud owner of a "saddle adjuster".
ReplyDeleteLast night as I was cleaning my tack (again) I was thinking.... why don't they just make disposable stuff for spring? A good cleaning only lasts about 10 minutes what with all the mud and hair.
I enjoyed your post. Nice job riding out the playful bit there! What you said about their power reminds me of my feelings whenever I see Dreamport playing all-out if the pasture. Then I think to myself, "I RIDE that..?!"
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure those aren't posts at all, but are actually monsters shaped like posts. They wait until horses get within eating distance and then they POUNCE! Most rocks are actually monsters too, or at least that's what Coriander tells me.
ReplyDeleteWay to hang on Cowgirl!!!!
ReplyDeleteIN other news... your horse has the prettiest neck I have ever seen. What a wonderful riding view you have.
Dental work and particularly lack of it can sure affect saddle work. Glad you had extra gripiness for those shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteThe Bermuda Triangle looks pretty non descript but you know how those horses are. They're not really looking as much as listening and I'm sure there are lots of noises there.
Sounds like a great day! Good job staying put through the crow hop and then having the insight to know it was a saddle issue. Not sure I could have been that smart! :) I had a good laugh at the "the Bermuda Triangle of horse eating monsters." Isn't that the truth, though? Around any corner, there could be something that might EAT them! LOL
ReplyDeleteoh I am so impressed with your trailer practice! My horse learned that when it was only me he didn't have to get into the trailer, so even practicing became difficult. love your grey! Corinna
ReplyDelete