“Leafed” September 30, 2008
Posted by kimayars Uncategorized
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I love making up new words. Today I made up “Leafed”:
Leafed (verb) - To be smacked in the head with a really large maple leaf occluding vision.
Tigger was “leafed” today.
I didn’t have a lesson today, but was determined to ride anyway. The weather was good although a bit gusty. I did barn work then tacked Tigger up. It was then I noticed I was sweating. It almost felt like it was warmer. Significantly warmer. Naw, just my imagination. I lead Tigger to the arena.
One small note about Tigger: I would not describe him as confident or secure. Things move and he jumps. Touch his side with your leg and he jumps. Hiccup and he jumps.
The wind picked up.
I led him to the mounting block and prepared myself for some fidgeting. I knew as soon as I was in the saddle he would move off and skitter away. After all, that was his pattern when there was a lot of activity. The wind was making the trees around us look as if they were alive.
I carefully set myself down in the saddle. “Good boy,” I crooned as I picked up my right stirrup. I braced myself for a bolt. Nothing. I petted him some more. I started to relax. I then leaned over to get a better look at his face. His eyes were closed. Phooey. He was dozing. Obviously not the frightened animal I had prepared myself for.
It took three rather large bumps of the leg to get him to walk off. After a few laps in the arena I went ahead and asked for canter to get some juices flowing. I have never asked for canter so early in a ride. He went into canter obediently, but not much else changed. As I brought him down to trot, the “leafing” happened. A huge maple leave blew smack-dab into Tigger’s face and STUCK between his eyes. I tensed, ready for the freak-out. Instead he kept going, leaf plastered to his forehead. I could see the leaf clearly jutting out from all sides of his head. I brought him down to walk, and then a halt. He lowered his head and the leaf fell to the ground. Then he ate it.
That was pretty much the end of our ride. He was pretty sweaty by then (it had climbed to 85 degrees by 11am and Tigs is getting his winter coat in). I opted to finish by trying to execute a turn on the haunches. Too bad I couldn’t remember the aid set. It was pretty much a train wreck. I’ll have to ask my trainer about that.
So I am excited that I followed through and rode my horse on a day I didn’t have to. Hopefully as the weather cools his energy level will increase and I’ll have more horse to work with. Good heavens, I never thought I’d say that!
Comments
Isn’t it funny Kim, I don’t even know you but you are generally my first laugh of the day!! “Leafed”…..LOVE IT!
I too enjoyed that one. I had a horse that looked for things to spook at. He was a cutting horse, who was no longer cutting. I think he did it on purpose just to do his fancy quick cut backs. One time I was riding out at the lake pasture, with a friend, to gather some cattle. O.K. I was on a, COW HORSE. He spotted a cow, out about 50 yards. The cow was laying down, and when she stood up, he made the big snort sound, and rolled back at a high rate of speed, and wanted to head for the trailer. My friend laughed and said, “What the heck kind of cow horse is that, who’s afraid of cows?”
Another time I was in my English saddle, and as my friend was walking across the field on foot, my horse freaked, rolled back, and ran to the barn, before I even hit the ground. Gosh he tortured me at every opportunity. Jumping him was definately an adventure.
You need to read The Meaning of Liff. Full of useful new words.
Another post that makes me glad I can read. Thanks, I think I will nickname you … “free entertainment.”