Lesson #163: Details Details

I get to ride Ariel again! She's not away at a schooling show so it's nice to get back to my old routine. I went out to get her in the paddock and that girl got sassy with me and bolted when I approached. I'm not familiar with horse speak so I"m not sure if she was being defiant or just excited to see me (I'll go with the former *sigh*). That said, I chased her around a bit until she settled and went to put the halter on... she greeted me with a soft sigh and we were good after that.

It's shedding time and I am covered in hair when I'm ready to get on. Sheri is riding her boy today as well so it's nice to see her do her thing. The lesson was spent on me keeping my position and riding Ariel deep into corners and on the circle. We worked at the walk and the trot. At the walk, I was swinging my legs with her ribs to open her walk and maintaining a consistent trot that is relaxed. I admit I've been having more and more trouble with my own body as late and I find my right shoulder rolls in, my right leg tends to grip at the knee and I have a terrible habit of leaning forward.

I'm reminded to sit up during my circles so I don't collapse on her front but I do find it tougher because I have to remember to bend Ariel and put up with her fussing about bending. We go again some more and I'm told my position has improved so that's a good thing to hear, considering my riding frequency and my major lack of exercise. Ariel puts up a fuss in the same corner a couple times and that's enough for Sheri to jump on her back to tell her who's boss. I love watching Sheri ride because she's SO AMAZING. She gets on Ariel and immediately, she's in a frame. As Sheri is going around, she tells me that Ariel is actually constantly fighting her; she does fight less as time goes on but Sheri has to be on her all the time. She's shaking her head or throwing it up or pulling on the reins and avoiding contact whenever possible. Those are all apparently "I don't wanna do this" comments so I'm told that I need to counter every argument/opinion with a leg squeeze and firm closed grip on the reins. The other thing is that my arms should be soft and my shoulders and core firm and in control because then when Ariel is pulling or fussing, she's got nothing to pull or fuss on. I never thought about it like that so it's going to be good to test next lesson.

In the meantime, I definitely have no more excuses to get my act together outside of riding and start working on getting back a fitness routine because I feel like I've been crunched up all winter!