Is it called riding, or scrambling?… June 11, 2007
Posted by kimayars Uncategorized
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I have a new-ish horse. He’s been with me for 2 1/2 weeks now, and we’re still getting to know each other. Today I had a ride on him, but didn’t compute that the last time he had been ridden was last Monday (the 4th). To have a horse off work for that long is pretty stupid, especially if you FORGET that said horse has been off for that long. It’s REALLY STUPID if said horse is a little energetic. Usually one of the last calm thoughts that go through your mind are, “Hmmm… Seems pretty mellow. I’ll just hop right on…” Generally those thoughts are quickly followed by instances of “what was I thinking”.
So the horse (which may be renamed Toby, but that’s a different story) seems pretty darn calm, and I’m in a hurry to catch a sunbreak so I can ride outside. My first clue should have been that it took 15 minutes to mount him. Ideally it should take about 2 seconds. But, he’s new, he’s in a new place, I’m new, blah blah blah… Finally I’m in the saddle.
Now, this isn’t all my fault, he lulled me into a false sense of security by standing quietly while I picked up my stirrups, adjusted my reins, and did the usual pre-flight check (and I chose the word “flight” for a reason). I give him a little squeeze with my legs and…
Imagine if you will being in a car with the accelerator stuck on. You are desperately looking for ways to slow the car. You think, “Ah hah! I will downshift to slow myself down.” However, instead of shifting down, you shift up (i.e. instead of walking, you are now trotting at a very, very fast rate). So, you try again (ooops, that trot just changed to a canter, also at a very fast rate). The phrase “off to the races” adequately described the situation.
It took a little bit of work to get Scout/Toby/Butthead to remember that there was a person on his back, but eventually he came around. I was also reminded that part of the fun of owning a horse is getting to know them. I know now that this horse is tricky and has REALLY bad brakes. 
But, after our little adreneline rush, we had a really nice ride (here’s where it will get pretty boring for non-horsey people). We continued to work on contact and his push from behind. When he rushed, I used counterbend to a) divert his attention and b) engage the outside leg more. I am learning that as he finds the frame that he’s comfortable in, he needs a lot of stretching between. Towards the latter part of the ride we worked on halt-walk and walk-trot transitions, staying relaxed and supple. It’s hard for him as someone in his past has been hard on him, but he’s catching on. We had some lovely moments where he lifted through the withers as he initiated the up transition. I am looking forward to watching this horse grow and develop. He’s a pretty fun guy (unless you’re yelling, “AAAAAAHHHHH” as you are careening down the arena).
Tomorrow I start my fitness program again with another run with Beth. I did shovel hogsfuel for 2+hours today, so maybe it will be more like a “hobble” than a run.
Comments
Kim - lovely post. I can really emphasise with the whole “accelerator stuck on” thing - it actually happened to me a couple of months after I passed my driving test, and was pretty scarry.
Which brings me to my next point . . . I’ve an, um, ‘friend’, who’s very, um, nervous around horses, because:
1) They’re Big
2) They bite
3) The other end’s pretty dangerous too.
4) Did I mention that they’re big?
But I . . . I mean my ‘friend’, wants to get over this [totally rational] fear. What sort of advice would you have for me to ‘pass on’?
Well, I can suggest a few things for you:
1) Get a tiny horse
2) Pull their teeth
3) Cut them off at the knees
4) Name it Trixie — it will make the horse seem more familiar and endearing.
But, seriously, the more you hang around them the easier it is. You don’t notice their size so much and you start to understand what to do and what not to do so you don’t get bit/kicked. If you really want to get over your nervousness, sign up for some lessons at a reputable barn. Find one that will coach you on the whole “horse care” area. The more you, I mean, your friend becomes familiar with them the more it won’t seem like a big deal. Hope that helps!
Thanks - I’ll pass that along to my ‘friend’.
I’ve never been afraid of horses in general, though I’ve known one or two that did scare me, I find that keeping in mind that an adult horse is roughly equivalent in emotional and behavioral intelegence to a 3 year old human sets a good perspective.
Having raised 2 humans through that wonderful age of discovery and boundary pushing that is 3, it reminds me that I will have to repeate myself, often. That they can get nervous and scared about the silliest things and they need reassurance, not punishment, when they are nervous or scared, and that like most 3yr olds, they will always check if the rules for today are the same as the rules for yesterday.
What you get at a ‘good barn’ is horses that are safe and sane. Riding a ‘friends’ horse is always a bit of a dice throw. The horses at a lesson barn are chosen for their temperment and ability and they are closely watched and maintained (like any business critical equipment) by the staff.