Happy Canada Day!

That's me and Ariel at the back ;)

Courtesy of one of the great boarders at Gosling Stables! This shot comes from the other day we went on the hack and were eaten alive--couldn't tell, huh? ;)

Lesson #109 & #110: The Downsides of Summer

Another double blog instalment! Last Thursday, I didn't have a formal lesson and instead, went out on a hack with J and G. It's fly season in Ontario, everybody. I didn't realize that or at least didn't realize how bad it could be. My past experiences with the bush and flies was fairly limited to a small facility and we never went out on hacks. The horses there were typical schoolies and were used in many lessons a week so someone else was usually first at getting them fly sprayed etc. Since moving to Gosling Stables, that has changed and there are so many more opportunities to learn about caring for the horse and what exactly is involved from a rider. The facility (in terms of number of students/boarders going through) is much smaller and more of a family atmosphere so riders have many more opportunities to "get your hands dirty" and do it all.

Getting back to the ride... I didn't realize what a challenge it might be, with a sensitive bossy-pants like Ariel sans fly spray (newbie mistake!). I didn't realize it right away but as soon as we entered the bush, Ariel lost her sh*t. She was bunny hopping and stomping her feet, shaking her head and telling me she wanted to just go home (sounds a little like what I'd do...). It made for a frustrating, nerve-wrecking first part of the ride and I was really not having a good time because it's impossible to out-muscle a +900lbs animal that had her thoughts centered on NOT being itchy. Challenge accepted, Ariel. I was determined to get through this hack without losing my cool or tumbling off, again. I had to be reminded to keep my heels down when Ariel was yanking her head down and trying to scratch against anything she could. Eventually, we came to a semi-mutual understanding where I compromised and let her walk through the tall grasses when we could, but did remind her that we're going my way whether she likes it or not. It was a challenging hack because I had more focus on trying to maintain my butt in the saddle and also keeping Miss Ariel's mind off being so darned itchy. To try and alleviate the itching for her, whenever I saw a bug land on her neck, shoulders or rump, I was killing these critters. When we did emerge from the bush, both Ariel and I were covered in spots of blood where I killed the bugs and both itching like we took a liberal tumble through a patch of poison ivy.

I have not since stopped itching and there are red welts and my knees look chewed up. By Sunday, I was determined to get fly spray and not head back on a hack until we were both generously coated with fly spray. But, bugs weren't the problem, come Sunday... the heat and humidity was thick and I was sticking to EVERYTHING I had on, and Ariel was taking a nap in the cross-ties during tack-up. When K, +ADW and I entered the ring (thank heavens we weren't riding outside...), the three of us were just standing there with our horses looking like the lesson had just ended. LOL. Not only were the horses ready to call it a day, but we were already drenched in our own sweat!

Getting started was tough for everyone... the horses weren't the only ones who didn't feel like working. The warm-up was practically not necessary with the heat lingering in the air which was actually a good thing because we quickly moved into the canter. Ariel is falling in on the right rein even though I was using as much inside leg as humanly possible! I think I'll try a "pulsing action" with my leg instead so that she doesn't have the opportunity to lean on my leg while I'm trying to get her to straighten up, and even MORE prep time before getting into corners. This was a rather fruitful lesson because next, I'm told to canter into the vertical jump and just ride it through again and again... it was the perfect height of low intimidation so I wasn't cursing while riding into the fence. I managed two very successful rides over the jump even with a crappy turn in and a shorting of the end of the line. I was very pleased with myself and realized that at a canter, everything comes sooner! You have little time to think about what's coming up next and just have to react. It was exactly as I needed. Next, we get into the simple changes again... and let me tell you, it was a miserable mess for all three of us. The horses were taking short corners and the nice plump 8 turned into a very skinny linear looking 8. So, gears down and we trotted the pattern instead. Hopefully by next lesson, that figure will look as intended and at the canter.

I finally made the effort to download a photo (not mine) of Ariel for those who are curious about this sassy little mare that has been teaching me so much about patience, listening, communicating clearly and just learning about horses and riding.

Ariel sussing you out.

Lesson #104: Take the Horse by the Reins

We worked on flat work exercises that were TOUGH. After our usual warm-up, we get right into cantering large and on both leads.

Our first exercise is trot poles down the middle of the arena, long-wise. They start out all the same distance and our objectives remain: straight down the middle, one step per spacing and even pacing all the way around. So far, things are much more composed than they have been lately. The trot is flowing, Ariel is relaxed and our corners are good and deep. She's even bending ever so slightly and listening to what is being asked of her.

Next, the poles become gradually further apart so we start collected and gradually extend the trot stride as we move forward. Still pretty good... I'm starting to feel good about things and perhaps, loosening my "iron first" of being really specific about my directions. She's getting it, for the most part but I can feel that she's intermittently inserting her opinion when we do things.

Our next and final exercise of the lesson... a type of figure 8 where we work up to the simple change in canter. The trot poles at the center tell us we have to trot the middle so that the simple change is done. Simple change? It's basically a lead change of the leading foot of a canter. We trot into the middle and exit with a canter at the moment we turn and canter around and back towards the center again to drop into the trot over the poles and again, exit the opposite turn with a canter. Ariel doesn't like letting me look good... we're a mess getting started and she rushes the poles and the canter transition is NOT smooth. She even tries to canter over the poles in the middle a couple times. I know, major face palm!! I just work on gaining control of what I want from her and we aim not to rush the poles even if that means I'm pulling on her face to slow down, and the canter depart is a bit better a few times.

It's nice that we get to go for a cool out around the field and back so that we can clear our heads a bit before returning to the stable to un-tack and head out for lunch. It's probably what I needed since it gave me the opportunity to lead our ride (though only at the walk) and I felt Ariel seemed more comfortable with a rider who has direction and purpose.

As an analysis of what's been happening lately and this specific lesson, I'd say that since that fall, things haven't been quite right. Some of it is attributed to the injuries that have started to invade into my physicality of riding (I'm seeing the sports med doc again on Friday for a follow up to determine the next course of action) and the rest (majority) are on the fact that I can't seem to mentally get myself pulled together enough with Ariel. I have to plan all the steps better, and continually tell her what we are doing next. It isn't that she's trying to be unruly, but without specific direction from her rider, she doesn't know what is desired of her and she starts doing things that she wants to do. Then that leads to my own frustration because "I don't know what she is doing" and she starts ignoring me and we both become frustrated. It means more concentration and focus from me, on all my lessons and planning during the lesson and outside.

Lesson 100: an Epic Fall

The definition of "lesson 100" gets a little bit fuzzy because I went with the group on a long hack/trail ride on Friday and then I had my formal lesson on Sunday. I consider hacks lessons since you still need to pull yourself together enough to ride but might not need to pay as much attention to the specific technical details a lesson would. But, again, it's a bit fuzzy since last week was a pretty intense week in terms of other stuff that was going on and my official lesson 100 was supposed to be on Thursday but something came up that had me cancel the lesson.

The hack was... an adventure, to say the least! We did have to rush out to the stable right after work and the traffic was a challenge on a Friday evening but that was mostly the boring/annoying part. Good thing our horses were already tacked up so that we could just get moving. The weather was amazing and the sunset was perfect... it was such a stunning view of the fields and the hills and forest/bush. The only issue I have with Ariel is her dominant-mare-ness. She insists on being at the front of the group and makes every effort to get as close as possible, often times with her nose in the other horse's butt. And in open space, she took every opportunity to speed up to sneakily bounce past the other horses... and eventually, I'd be at the front of the pack and I'd have to ask J where to go. 

As the hack was wrapping up, we were trotting through some bush that I've been through before, near the stable. Most of us were on larger horses with the exception of one of the girls who was on a pony... the pony had trouble keeping up at a trot with the other horses so he took off in a gallop but when we turned, he realized it too late and his poor rider fell off as he deeked the turn. It wasn't a pretty picture... the pony took off and so did the lead horse (both without riders). Then Ariel got it in her head that something bad must be making its way over so she best get going to lead the others out of there too. I've rarely had too much trouble with her but she was giving me A LOT of trouble and was low rearing and bucking when I tried to turn her around towards the group. I knew she wouldn't throw me but she was certainly trying to tell me she wanted to get the heck outta there to find the others. I'm lucky she didn't throw me in the bush... the disagreements weren't getting better and I eventually let her move forward towards home a few steps so that she'd calm down. I thought I'd give her her head and space and then try to turn her back but every time she's rearing and bucking. Eventually I knew it wasn't going to get better so I stopped fighting her and went with her. But that was a mistake because once she broke into the field, she just made a beeline for home. At this point I lost my left stirrup and while struggling to get my foot back in, I couldn't keep my balance and toppled over... BAM. I'm lucky I landed on my back in the field and I had my helmet on. I knew that I had to get up quickly though, because who knows where Ariel's horse brain told her to go.... but when I turned around, she was standing a couple steps away, eating... REALLY? ARGH.

I didn't feel the pain right away but boy was I sore the next few days...

Of course, the trooper that I am, I confirmed with +ADW that all was well and that Sunday was good to have me return to my regular scheduled lesson. We rode in the outside arena and worked on the usual trot (sitting and posting) and canter to solidify those gaits. We moved to jumping some low jumps too and I have to admit, these were challenging to get the turn just right. Esp since my crazy left wing and my loopy right side are causing issues with directing Ariel appropriately. In comparison to the Friday hack, this lesson was pretty low key and we just worked on some jumping and getting our gaits right. I do have to admit though, I'd much rather ride indoors when the sun is hot like that.

Lesson 97: Picture Perfect Day

I hope everyone had a chance to hang out with their moms and just do some fun stuff this weekend! +ADW and I invited our moms to the stable to catch the latter part of our lesson, visit the stable and then grab some lunch. We started out the usual way on our own time and the day was just too wonderful out this way, to not go out on a hack! We went out on a 30 min hack into the bush and back. J took us out and led us around the fields and into the bush... as expected, Ariel decided that trotting wasn't fast enough and cantering would be way more fun. I really have to gain control of her... mostly for the reason that I think she's starting to disrespect me. We get into the bush and wind through and make our way back. But, not before taking a fallen log as a jump... at the intended trot... that turned into a canter for me. Ariel careened around a turn so fast that I thought I was going to fall off. I didn't though... and found myself adapting just fine... except when I took the moment to think about what was happening. I really want to take some choppers into the bush and clear up the trails though... they can be full of sticks and twigs hanging in your face and when you're moving that fast, you can't afford to close your eyes, wave your arms around or duck. But, despite this, there are ways to mitigate these sorts of turns so that they become smoother and you regain control of the situation. I didn't see the turn until it was too late but I'm sure I could have slowed her down a bit more before getting there.

When we returned to the outdoor arena, we got back to doing some trotting and adding in circles. I am reminded that my loopy right side has a mind of its own and unless I take the active effort to tell it what to do, it doesn't help the situation. It might feel like it's doing what it's suppose to but I assure you (and myself) that it is not. I ride twisted and my right leg lifts and drops inwards towards the saddle rolls. We finish up the lesson with canter outside; yay!! We apparently do so well that +ADW's mom didn't realize that it was us, cantering around the outdoor ring. That's gotta count for something, right?

Next lesson, I have to remind myself that I need to actively engage that right side to straighten up and almost turn exaggeratedly b/c whatever is being done is probably not enough. I also need to work on figuring out what's keeping my leg so tight because it tips me off balance and that balance is key when I'm out on a hack with Ariel.

In short, lots of homework that again, includes me to start with a better sleep schedule so I can actually do all the things I want to do and get to lessons being prepared and ready.

Posting Diagonal Jar Tally = 2 x $2.00 = $4.00
To date = $189.00

Lesson 96: Hacking Away and a Clinic!

I had a hack in place of a lesson, yesterday. It was the first hack I've ever been on, like ever. I've been on those really boring trail rides where every horse is just following the other in a line--pretty boring. While I was waiting for the class before me, to return, I was having an informal session on the Pessoa Lunging System. It's an interesting looking contraption of ropes, pulleys and clips. The system was invented by Nelson Passoa, an international show jumping rider from Brasil. The purpose of the system is to gradually encourage balance and a gradual build-up of the topline. One day, more information and lessons on lunging in general. So, back to the hack!

This was the first time I was expected to have full control of a horse in the open with a small group of people. I did ride Ariel and we went out with me being on hyper-alert and Ariel being on another type of hyper-alert. She was looking around everywhere and I was feeling more nervous than I thought I would. The scenery at that time is amazing... rolling hills and lush fields or vast farming lots with nothing done yet. It was certainly a different experience and I really want to do it more frequently b/c you just have to be "on" and Ariel's way more zippy out there.

We didn't do too much other than a few trots and lots of walking. It might not have seemed like much but that was enough of a start to get me some exposure because I didn't realize I was actually pretty tense. But, I look forward to going out again b/c I'm sure my confidence will become better in time. Of course, there's always a little bit of adventure at Gosling Stables and I managed to fall off of Ariel at the walk. That's right: she was walking and I fell off. LOL. I might sound pretty ridiculous just saying that but somehow, she tripped and she did a curtsey on her knees and I slid off over her head and landed on my feet. I know, I'm in complete disbelief too. While I was a bit shaken because falling off wasn't actually all that smooth and was mostly unexpected, I did my best to recompose myself.

We didn't intentionally canter though Ariel took off a few times when we were out in an open field and had a great time just going nuts... which doesn't make sense to me because you leave her in her paddock and she does nothing but eat. Then, you get on her and she just wants to run around all over the place. I'm excited to go again and hope that there will be plenty of more opportunities!

Tonight, I went to the show clinic where the standard rules (+Laura details one of her clinics about showing here) were reviewed and we just learned the basics of what is required to show. It's a lot of work. Nobody really gets what it means, to get ready for a show. Well, the schooling shows the requirements are more lax and they're not as stringent on requirements but not at the Trillium + levels. I'm not showing at Trillium but many of the girls are. I'm usually the only adult in these sorts of things and I seem to have many friends who are 13 or so. It's funny because I actually like them better than my coworkers who are of similar age.

We started with the "classroom" stuff where we reviewed the information about feed and each horse's specific diet. We then proceeded to other health related things like taking a horse's vitals: temperature, respiration rate and heart rate. When we went down to get our hands dirty, we worked with the horse we primarily ride/part-board. I don't part-board but I ride twice a week and Ariel is my primary mount. In addition to taking her temperature rectally, we measured her height, weight, girth size (that's pretty variable though), bridle size, bit size, blanket size and boot/wrap size. There is a lot to learn about these animals! And I'm so happy I went because this is the sort of thing I wanted to get more familiar with. I'm really excited that we did that and I'm looking forward to learning more! :)