wobble wobble (riding log)

[quietann]

Back at my lesson barn today for the first time since June. Tina put me on Bearito, who is exactly as I remember him: bratty on the ground, and toooo much fun ridden. He is exceptionally well-trained for a lesson horse, and very smooth-gaited.

Photo of Bearito from last spring. He's about 22 years old, and 13 hands, and with that neck is too much pony for little kids. One of the reasons I'll be riding him is that he needs to be a bit tired out for therapeutic riding lessons later in the morning.


We did not jump today; instead we did flatwork for almost an hour, nearly all of it at the trot and canter, and (for me) nearly all of it without stirrups. Tina wants me *sitting* to the canter, and after a summer of two-point at the canter on Minnie, well, yes, I need to work on my seat. (I was somewhat hopeful about getting Guiness back, but he is a bit green for the level of this class, and I don't have any business trying to do this stuff on a green horse...)

I left that lesson slightly wobbly from the workout, but had promised goddessfarmer that I'd ride Trumpie, since neither she nor Alice were available today. I was supposed to take him outside, but because I had some questions about unfamiliar tack I needed to use, I stayed in, so just in case I fell off, there would be someone nearby. I rode him for 45 minutes, about 75% trotting and cantering, and trying to figure out exactly what I need to do to get him on the bit. (I can do it, but it happens mostly by accident.) He was patient with me, at least, though the percentage of "on the bit" was fairly small. Nonetheless, he's a very good boy, and he has good manners. And he gives backrubs when you take his bridle off!

Now even more wobbly, I went to groom Minnie. Poor Minnie is... bored and lonely, not surprisingly, and very appreciative of apples. I would have cleaned her stall, except there were no fresh shavings. Sigh...

And then, having ridden 2 horses and groomed 3, I did one errand, came home, took a shower and fell over. My legs are definitely a bit sore; that wobbly feeling is for real...

Comments

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Oh, you have beautiful posture.

(I read your riding posts, I just rarely have anything to say, since I don't ride.)

[quietann.livejournal.com]

except.... that's not me!

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

*facepalm* Well, she sits beautifully, and I'm sure you do too.

[candle-light.livejournal.com]

Wow, look at the neck on that pony. He's awfully cute (I like roly poly ponies).

[quietann.livejournal.com]

It's not *quite* that bad; they roach cut his mane and it's basically the same color as the rest of him, which makes his neck look even thicker... but yes, it's a *really* thick neck, and he's a strong little bugger. Luckily he can carry riders up to 170 pounds, so adults ride him pretty often to remind him of his manners.

In the winter, he really looks like a little bear :)

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

Heh, what is that little guy? Other than way too cute, I mean.

(How is it that every indoor pretty much looks like every other indoor? Amazing.)

[quietann.livejournal.com]

I have no idea about his breeding. The neck, the lack of white, and the mealy muzzle suggest Exmoor pony, but they are really rare, especially in the United States. I can ask some of the people at the barn to see what more they might know. (Marge Kittredge, the owner, probably knows the most, but she's mostly retired from day-to-day barn stuff and doesn't tend to come out of her house much. She's like 85 or something, so we don't bother her. I had a couple of lessons from her in the spring, and she's the definition of dressage taskmaster, but she really liked how I look on Bearito.)

He's really fun, though!