Friday, April 18, 2008

A little YEEHAW in the saddle!

I went to see my horse Dandy, and it was such a beautiful day that after I had let Dandy roll in the arena, and lunged him and saddled him and had a good ride with him in the arena, I then decided that we should go ride in the acre pasture for riding. So when I went to mount, he went to get a bite of grass, and I kept him from doing that and then he swiped his hoof at the ground, and I told him "no!". So then he behaved. But he was probably mad about that. So then I mounted him and we walked around the premises, it's good to do that, because then we know what to expect when riding around the premises at a faster gait. And then we trotted around, and then we cantered and then we went the opposite way and it was a good. And then when I was ready to go, we walked, but then I decided just to trot out, but then he decided to canter and run really faster and I was like, what is with this? and then I thought maybe he was still mad about not letting him graze, cause a couple times while walking he tried. And he tried a little bit kicking and grumpiness, and I was slightly worried about falling, and but then I got him halted, and I stopped him, and I was proud of myself, that I got in control, but then I got down, and I griped at him and I could tell that he could tell that I was mad at him, and I was telling him who was boss! cause he thought he could go a mile, even though I didn't give him an inch. But I was proud that even though he was getting out of control, I managed to stay on, and stop him, and I was proud of myself that I am such a good rider, that I could do that.

There is a saying, and it goes like this..."The spirited horse, which will try to win the race of it's own accord, will run even faster if encouraged."

And I feel like that totally fits that situation that happened. It doesn't take too much to get my horse to go, so now I just have to work on stopping him good and always staying in good control. Though I wondered if when I rode him, and the saddle pad is sitting on his mane, and when I ride, I would wonder if that was pulling on his mane at all, so I trimmed a couple inches off at the back of his mane, I think that has improved how comfortable he has been a lot, because I think it was pulling on his mane at fast gaits.

Also, a good tip, that I learned yesterday night, is to never ride a horse that hasn't had a good roll before saddling. Oh sure, he'll let you ride til your done, but then when you stop to dismount, he'll lay down and try his best to roll with the saddle on! I mean come on, what is with that? rolling with the saddle on? does he really think he can get a good roll with his saddle on him?!? lol. So definitely expect that, if you don't let your horse roll before riding. Cause it's all about the roll and getting dirty, with these horses.