I suck!
Father it has been 14,000 years since my last entry. Furthermore in the 14,000 years I’m sure there’s a bunch of fun sinny stuff I’m failing to mention.
So, it’s summer. As a psychologist for an urban school district that means I get my summers off. My plan was to try to stay out of an office all the while attempting to make extra money. Additionally I wanted to spend as much time at the barn as possible. I have succeeded. Not only am I working for the barn one day feeding turning out yadda yadda I’m also working with Liza. I have given myself the title of her Fischer-Price My First Working Student.
Liza has a bunch of horses to ride. I only have one and a lot of time on my hands. So Liza and I have worked out a deal where I help her out and she works her magic. And it is Magic. Woody and I are making some amazing progress. Don’t get me wrong there are still some days that I say to myself “For CRAPS sake, you can’t ride one side of this horse, what are you thinking.”
And then he looks at me and nickers and I say “I shall learn.” And learning I am. It’s fantastic. Not only am I learning by doing I’m learning by watching. I’m so fortunate to be able to do this.
I was hoping to get into Maryland Horse Trials this weekend, but it didn’t happen (cause I’m a flake and didn’t enter in time). But I’m not heart broken. As I told Allie, I could go out this weekend and be mediocre or I can go out this fall and make that dressage arena my bitch.
Things I’ve learned:
- Woody can throw a temper tantrum.
- I can, much to all involved party’s chagrin, escalate said temper tantrums
- I can NOW deescalate aforementioned temper tantrums
- It’s OK to have some contact. One should have more than a hummingbirds weight in the reins. Do not be afraid to touch your horses face!
- This contact must be constant, reliable and fluid
- Woody does not NEED one to sit deep in the saddle to make changes in pace/stride length while jumping. I can take a deep breath, bring my shoulders back and he’ll rate.
- Woody finds it unnecessary when I sit deep in the saddle to do just about anything whilst jumping. See Item #1
- Working with horses is HARD WORK!
So there it is. I’ll try to be more attentive to the blog. My plan right now is to work my ass off and come September trot down the center line like I’m on a mission.
