Whoa

Yesterday I worked on getting the horse to stop and then not creep. It's a lot harder than one would think. I have to remember to grip with my thighs, sit deep in the saddle, check with the reins and I'm allowed to cheat and say "whoa" or "ho" but "ho" makes me laugh. There's nothing like a 60 year old woman with the maturity level of a 14 year old boy. Sometimes when I'm doing everything correctly and the horse is still ignoring me, the trainer will get on and fine-tune him. I'm just too afraid of doing something wrong to be as assertive as I sometimes need to be. Once she's convinced him that he can do what is being requested of him, I get back in the saddle and things generally progress nicely from there. The extra thigh pressure is so minute that it's almost imperceptible. I also have to remember to not keep hauling back on the reins, but release almost immediately. It's just all so nit-picky and I absolutely love it!

I will be attending a couple of clinics in April. I think I will limit myself to just one session with the first clinician since I already signed up for all four days with the second one. These clinics gave me an excuse to order some new breeches and a white saddle pad. I'm holding off on getting a new helmet but mine will be three years old in July so I'm thinking I may be due for a new one.

The horses are shedding despite the fact it was below zero last night and we had a bunch of snow earlier in the week. I'm furminating and using "Slick N Easy" in addition to the regular currying and brushing. In gratitude, the horse stepped on my foot yesterday.


I don't think anything is broken but that fourth toe sure doesn't feel too good today.