riding log

[quietann]

There's a photo of me on Minnie the Crazy Mare on goddessfarmer's LJ. Not a great photo, but hey, at least it proves that I'm actually on a horse! This is courtesy of her husband chocorua who waited reasonably patiently as it took us way longer than expected to get the horses tacked up. Thank you, c!

Minnie was better-behaved than last week, except for one little incident of trying to walk out of the stall before her bridle was on. Partially my fault (for not having the stall guard up and not following the correct bridling procedure), and partially just Minnie being over-excited about going out and not understanding that from my point of view, she really needs a steering device.

So today we hacked over to a neighbor's sand arena, where goddessfarmer practiced some dressage on Trumpie (who is so pretty working like this, I could just die). My job was to stay out of her way, and work Minnie a little bit. So now I know I can still do posting trot for a fairly good stretch, including circles and changing directions, which involves changing the leg one posts by. Downward transitions from trot to walk? Hm, that needs some work, not the least because Minnie is "go-ey" and would rather move faster, until she's tired. goddessfarmer asked me if I wanted to try a short canter, but I declined because of the issues with downward transitions. Minnie did tire fairly quickly, which is not surprising because she's very old and not in shape.

This week's main observation is that my left ankle really is that weak; it bends to the outside when I try to sink my weight into my heels, and gets very sore. This is why my foot is misplaced in the stirrup in the photo. The right one is fine. I am going to try riding with an ankle brace to see if that helps.

We walked back (with the occasional trot from Minnie to keep up with Trump) and talked some about goddessfarmer's hopes for her riding, which could get very exciting. My going to ride with her is a small help, since her plans involve getting Trump and herself into much better shape. I'm still just relearning. Then she made lunch for me, we cleaned tack, and it was time to go.

I still need to call the stable in North Reading to inquire about lessons.

Oh yeah, goddessfarmer is loaning me some toasty warm winter riding breeches that are too small for her and a little too big for me.

Comments

[goddessfarmer.livejournal.com]

Your help is not small. Having a riding companion keeps me honest, and working. It gives me motovation to 'go do'. So it's a really BIG help.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

So I should come up at least once a week?

I have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday, right near work, so I won't be available. Right now it looks like my days off next week are Monday and Thursday. And then (unless you catch me over the following weekend), I won't be available again until the 28th. My dad's 80th birthday is on the 25th, and I'm going to San Diego to help him celebrate!

[goddessfarmer.livejournal.com]

OH Yes! Please! Next week Monday is better, and Thursday is do-able so long as we don't linger over cocoa afterwards.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

Monday would work for me so let's plan on it. I have a lightweight brace for my ankle; if that's not enough I can go to a heavier one but it may be too limiting.

BTW, if you fell off and Trumpie ran away, I assume Minnie would follow him. So then what do I do?

[unclebooboo.livejournal.com]

Riding with an ankle out of alignment will soon hurt a lot. Meanwhile, it will throw your leg out of place and generally mess up your riding. Your boot really should be providing enough support to keep your ankle straight.
You might try taping the ankle before you go riding if you can't get enough support in any other way.

One of the standard things that judges look for in equitation classes in horse shows is the downward transitions. If you can keep your seat as you transition from the lope (or whatever you want to call that three beat gait) or sitting trot down to a walk or stop then you've definitely progressed beyond beginner.

The most common problem is losing your balance and leaning forward. The simple counter to this is using a good seat queue to ask for the downward transition rather than just using the reins. In reining this gets to be very important because if your horse goes into a sliding stop and you don't sit down into it you're likely to end up hanging on to the horse's neck! (Been there done that...) I eventually figured this out after a few weeks of lessons on a reining horse that had really good stops.

[goddessfarmer.livejournal.com]

Oh, Ann is no beginner. And I did recommend an ankle brace. I'll also change the stirrups on that saddle to the jointed kind which whill have her foot on a flatter surface that will spring with her joints and put less pressure on them. I found that my lower leg comfort improved greatly with the advent of the jointed iron. While my leg generally stays still and has since I was 10 or so, the years of riding have taken their toll on my ankles and knees. I've never ridden any western decipline, but foxhunting as a teen and my continuing love of eventing keeps me supple, balanced, and acutely aware of how hard the gound would be if I were not totally 'with' my mount.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

all good advice but do see goddessfarmer's comment. I rode hunt seat/jumping for 7 years as a teen, quit for 24 years, and am just getting back into it. I am not a beginner, but I'm relearning a lot still (I have only been on a horse six times since returning to riding about two months ago.) Also I'm dealing with the changes of an almost 43 year old body that's 40 pounds heavier and, um, bigger on top.

I do agree with your advice on downward shifts. Sit back, etc. And I am not sure I was actually doing that today.

The ankle issue is likely permanent, as my whole left side is orthopedically not quite normal, and it was a problem (though less of one) when I was a teen. I am going to try goddessfarmer's suggestion of a light brace and different stirrups.

[unclebooboo.livejournal.com]

During the time I've been riding (started as an adult when I came out to New Mexico) I've gained about 50 pounds and then lost over 100 pounds. There's no doubt in my mind that losing the weight (and building up some strength in my core) has really helped my riding even though I'm riding less often and not competing in shows any more. I need to spend more time on a horse and less at the gym...

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

we should figure out when/with whom you should continue lessons, if you would like to :)

meanwhile, so glad you are trail riding! that's great :)