Look ‘Ma! No Adreneline! July 20, 2008
Posted by kimayars Arena Work (Horse)
Digg! this story.
, trackback
Adreneline is highly overrated for me. I hate the shaky amped-up feeling you get from it. The only time I ever really appreciate it is after a fall off a horse and I need it to forget whatever body parts I’ve injured to get right up and mount up again. So you can understand my elation when there was no adreneline rush whatsoever when I got on Tigger today.
For the first time since I fell off in March I was calm and relaxed while getting on. No knees were shaking. My heart wasn’t racing. I didn’t have the urge to puke. It was good. It took FOUR MONTHS to finally get over just one fall. Good heavens.
But here is the funny thing: After the ride started he was the spookiest he’s been in a long time. We had three significant shies and about two itty-bitty ones. But instead of worrying about that, I had on my sh*t-eating grin singing “Zippity-Doo-Dah” because my heartrate didn’t spike to 180 during the mounting process.
Isn’t life funny?
So the ride went very well. I worked on what I learned at the clinic on Friday and tried to tie that in with Paige’s lesson on Thursday. At the foundation of all of this was the work I’ve been doing with my hands thanks to Cindy. So in a nutshell, here’s what I worked on:
1. Hands quiet, calm, and giving. (Cindy)
2. Leg on when he inverts, even when he’s rushing. (Paige)
3. Tempo and directional control no matter what. (Henrik)
I’m so remedial I need three instructors. 
Did I have a soft, round, gorgeous, ready-to-do-second-level-work horse because of this? Heck no. But what I had was a horse who is starting to trust me, who is becoming eerily obedient (I’m beginning to think he’s just lulling me into a false sense of security), and who seemed to enjoy himself. As the above three things become more habit than conscious thought, I’ll move more into re-stablishing his frame. At this point I feel they are the base that I was missing.
I’m so jazzed about having a plan with Tigger. He’s been so much fun to ride lately. I can’t wait to do it again!
Comments
I hear ya on the no adrenaline riding! It’s only in the last couple of months that I have had the no adrenaline when Piper spooks or thinks about cantering when he’s not supposed to. So crazy me because I have no adrenaline, I rode him in a rope halter yesterday and today! It was as my other trainer Jonathan says is a “I could die right now moment” (well actually, he calls them “herbal essences” moments - like in the herbal essence commercials in the shower with the shampoo… you get the picture…!)
Time really does heal all wounds!
My body loves to kick out adrenaline. I get serious “fight or flight” syndrome when I have to speak publicly, confront someone, etc. Hate that feeling. I can’t imagine riding comfortable and confidently with that feeling. I am glad for you that it is gone!