My lesson went both better and worse than I thought it would. Let's start with my mount. He is an adorable, though slightly grumpy, aged TB gelding named Leo. He enjoys treats and cuddling, but does not really like the whole grooming thing. Eh, a lot of TB's are sensitive and crabby about grooming.
Leo isn't the most forward horse I've ever ridden, but he's not a child's walk/trot pony either. He's somewhere in the middle. His gaits are wayyyy different than my precious OTTB princess that I've been riding for the last five years. Leo's gaits are big and bouncy, whereas Seneca's are flatter, and smaller. There are about six other riders in my group, which had me slightly anxious. Traffic jams, and constantly having to watch out for said traffic is one of the reasons I've been drawn to eventing. But we managed to get around the flatwork without getting either run over or in anyone's way.
And here is where I ran in to trouble, not navigating around the other riders, but apparently having ridden my forward OTTB mare for the last five years made me a better rider for her, but not necessarily for other horses. I rode Seneca a lot by feel. I could feel when I was on the wrong diagonal or wrong lead. I never had to look, which is the way it's supposed to be.
But when riding a new horse whose gaits feel all strange and funky to me I made mistakes on both diagonals and the leads. I also felt like my position was all crap when I asked for the canter. So something to work on.
More Liebster Award: Okay so here are my 11 random facts.
1.) I love to cook and make up new recipes.
2.) I love to garden
3.) I have a fear of heights
4.) I am a good speller, but terrible at math
5.) I am definitely a MAC/Apple person
6.) Sinead Halpin is my favorite 4* eventer
7.) I sometimes believe I was an Irish horse breeder in another life.
8.) I love all forms of potatoes
9.) I look better as a redhead
10.) I am definitely a mare person
11.) I've been married for 16 years!
I'm now off to select my Liebster Awardees. Keep it between the flags everyone.
Leo isn't the most forward horse I've ever ridden, but he's not a child's walk/trot pony either. He's somewhere in the middle. His gaits are wayyyy different than my precious OTTB princess that I've been riding for the last five years. Leo's gaits are big and bouncy, whereas Seneca's are flatter, and smaller. There are about six other riders in my group, which had me slightly anxious. Traffic jams, and constantly having to watch out for said traffic is one of the reasons I've been drawn to eventing. But we managed to get around the flatwork without getting either run over or in anyone's way.
And here is where I ran in to trouble, not navigating around the other riders, but apparently having ridden my forward OTTB mare for the last five years made me a better rider for her, but not necessarily for other horses. I rode Seneca a lot by feel. I could feel when I was on the wrong diagonal or wrong lead. I never had to look, which is the way it's supposed to be.
But when riding a new horse whose gaits feel all strange and funky to me I made mistakes on both diagonals and the leads. I also felt like my position was all crap when I asked for the canter. So something to work on.
More Liebster Award: Okay so here are my 11 random facts.
1.) I love to cook and make up new recipes.
2.) I love to garden
3.) I have a fear of heights
4.) I am a good speller, but terrible at math
5.) I am definitely a MAC/Apple person
6.) Sinead Halpin is my favorite 4* eventer
7.) I sometimes believe I was an Irish horse breeder in another life.
8.) I love all forms of potatoes
9.) I look better as a redhead
10.) I am definitely a mare person
11.) I've been married for 16 years!
I'm now off to select my Liebster Awardees. Keep it between the flags everyone.
Other horses rhythms take time getting used to.
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