On Thursday afternoon my Mom took us to her huge hunter/jumper barn for a treat. The three of us were going to have an hour long, semi-private lesson. On Thoroughbreds. Going into this ride I was a little nervous. Things have been going really well for me lately, but I really only know Bear at… Read more »
Lesson
Best Lesson Yet
After Robin’s very encouraging rides this week, I went back to riding Bear. It felt great to be on my own horse again. It even felt good to pick his feet. I’m still a new enough horse person that I do not expect such drastic differences between them. But they are everywhere, even in their… Read more »
Reunited (and it Feels So Good)
Friday is lesson day. As we headed for the barn Brian and I decided it was time to put him back on Bear. I was pretty confident things would go well. With my new understanding of Bear’s antics I felt I could coach Brian through any minor resistance Bear might put up. Still, if there… Read more »
Back on Steen
Wednesday we went out to the barn early in the afternoon in hopes of a repeat of last Friday’s great ride. Bear was sluggish in the beginning, and even not all that excited to leave the bale and follow me. But once we started groundwork he came around. He continues to get better at responding… Read more »
Loping in the Bear Trap
Friday was a busy day, so we postponed Brian’s lesson. And since we’ve decided to leave Bear alone for a few days, this morning Brian had his lesson on Steen. Steen left the bale to meet us. He’s been so good about coming lately. I’ll be curious to see if it lasts once the herd… Read more »
Continuing to Trot
The pasture horses got some nice, dry bales of hay. When I went out to get Bear he was standing with his side up against a bale, and he was covered in hay. I wish I took a picture of it. When he saw me coming he took a half-hearted bite out of the bale… Read more »
Best Lesson Yet
I was definitely curious to see Brian ride in the bear trap again and Friday is lesson day, so even though I was battling the yawns this afternoon, I rallied and we headed out. Bear was in a funny mood to start. They’d put out new bales yesterday and Bear had clearly been gorging himself… Read more »
Shots and Saddles
On Friday I had another good lesson on Bear. It was a beautiful and relaxing afternoon at the barn. When I brought Bear in, though, he was probably the dirtiest I’d ever seen him. So grooming took some time. He was good for it. I think the groundwork we’ve been doing has made him more… Read more »
Drying Out
Today the pasture was significantly less mucky when we went out to fetch the boys. I again brought Steen in for a quick bareback ride while Brian got Bear ready. We did more work at the walk and trot. His trot is just getting smoother and steadier each ride. In spite of the fact that… Read more »
Lessons and an Anniversary
Friday we continued our little tradition of going out to the barn and having Robin give me a lesson. This time things were a bit crowded, though. Ruby, a 13 year old girl who’s been at the barn quite a few years, was also getting a lesson from another border. Ruby is definitely a better… Read more »