I know, I slacked on my Wednesday post. Here it is though!
Saturday was the last time I really rode Chester. I took him to the arena and rode him all tacked up and bareback too for a little bit. (Love bareback!)
I set up some poles and did some pole bending. Oh ya! = ) Chester is teaching be how to do gaming while my teacher is out. He taught me how to barrel race last summer. (Summer 2012) I am far from actually doing it properly. But he was like, "Malory, this is how you barrel race. Just hold on and I will show you!" I held on and HE SHOWED me! Loved it though!
Back to my teacher, if any of you didn't know, (I can't remember if I told you all or not) she fell off a horse and got a super bad concussion. She has been out for about six weeks and she probably won't be back for a while. In the mean time, I am going to the arena each Saturday, the time my lessons would be, and working and enjoying my horse. I have already gained lots of confidence and learned tons. But, I need some help in knowing what and how to do things. I am praying that my teacher will heal and be back soon.
Chester is really good at turning. He'd rather go in tight circles than big ones. Just one more thing to work on! I think it's the barrel mode in him. 
Trotting!
Turning...
Go!
Day six- Your most accomplished horse
This is all I know, so he could have done/know a lot more.
I have a question for you all. (Sorta going back to day five.)
How high or low are you supposed to hold your hands while riding? (That is, while using both hands and a snaffle bit.)
I think I'm holding my hands a little to low, but I really don't know. Plus, you can't really tell in those pictures of day five.
Low is GOOD. It's hard to explain without photos, I may do a post on my blog this morning to help you out, I think it'd be a good topic. But here's the best I can explain without pictures. When you use any type of bridle, hack, bit, whatever, they use different pressure points, but those pressure points are touched and pushed on when you raise up or pull back. For the horse to be more comfortable, your reins should be low. If you neck rein, you should have one hand laying on your leg and the one with the reins should either rest on the horn or right before the horn, on the mane. That way you aren't constantly tugging and putting pressure on the bit! If you open rein, like myself, you should keep them right before the horn, on the mane or right at the gullet. It seems a bit uncomfortable at first but trust me, the horse is way more comfortable and you'll get used to it really quickly. I had the opposite problem! My reins were always high and tight, I wish I had your problem, hahaha!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That helps a ton! So it seems like I have them low enough, but maybe too far forward....? Maybe I'll get some pictures tomorrow when I ride.
DeleteYa, I think I have a tendency to let my reins go slack. My bridle has split reins so it can be kinda hard for me to keep them "in order", so to say.
I guess we are/were opposite! = ) My reins are loose and low and yours were high and tight. ; )
Thanks so much! Oh, and I think that's a great idea for a blog post!
If you can, I would try getting reins that are together or have the clips so you can neck or open rein. I have the ones with the clips. I think you'd do better with the unopened reins as opposed to splits. :)
DeleteYa, I'm hopefully going to get some, (reins that aren't spit) this February. At the beginning of the year there is a huge tack sale. Most of it is used so it's cheaper. I can't afford brand new tack right now; so I am planning on getting reins there.
DeleteI neck rein (love too!) but what's open reining?
Open reining is when you use both hands. One on either side. :)
DeleteOh! =) Thanks Kalin! = )
DeleteThe first picture of you in the cowboy hat shows perfect reins. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll keep that in mind while I ride. = ) Thanks!
DeleteIt's cool that you guys are doing pole bending and stuff. Fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is super fun! I thought if I ever got into something with a horse, it would be fun to do gaming. I didn't know I would be able to learn so soon though! = )
DeleteGaming is really fun! I used to do fun speed shows. They were the highlight of each month! If you do fun shows though you can also use them as learning shows. You don't have to be fast to start. Actually I'd recommend starting out at a slower pace till ya get the hang of it anyway. There are WAY too many people out there showing especially barrel racing, who can't control their horses. And to be honest, its not safe for them or for others. Also if you have trouble controlling your horse at all times and all speeds don't try things fast! Like you were doing the poles start out at a walk then once you have that down, move on to the trot. Then when you can do that comfortably and accurately, then move onto the canter. I love your willing spirit to admit you aren't sure about things and so then ask questions. That will really help you to learn to ride well! Never be afraid to ask questions to others!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Heather, for your encouragement and advice. I really appreciate it! I'm definitely going to be taking it slow with gaming and make sure I can control my horse. I know for sure that I can't control Chester very well, when cantering. That's why most of the time (99.99%) when I canter him at the arena, it's when there's no one else in the arena- and when I do, it's like, down and back and then I'm done. = )
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