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Comment by Kate Green on December 20, 2011 at 1:52am

I had my first riding lesson last weekend!  It was fun, challenging, and encouraging.  She complimented me for what I already did right and began building on some basics to get the rest to come along.  We worked on balance and seat, building strength throughout my body, and feeling secure.  No reins, worked the horse on a lunge line so I could concentrate on what I was doing.  I feel great about this.

Comment by Kate Green on December 6, 2011 at 8:16pm

That is a nice video.  It makes me think I need to expand my round pen. Mine is very small.

Comment by Kate Green on December 6, 2011 at 8:11pm

First of all, you are right, fear is fear.  I ride in an open pasture sometimes and sometimes in a round pen out doors right now.  My instructor plans to start me on a lunge line for awhile onher bombproof horse.  I don't mind riding, going faster, just have trust issues. I need to build my skills back to make sure I teach mine right. Would like to have them finished by a pro trainer. I only train out of neccesity.  I am horse poor and cannot afford 700 a month for a trainer per horse. I own six and have access to more.  El Dorado, Peanut Butter, and Flash are not mine.  But I do ride them when I can.  I like to video my sessions to give me a  chance to analyze what I am doing wrong. I can correct anyone that I can see, but have trouble correcting myself. 

Comment by Shirley on December 6, 2011 at 3:50pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrcW4iAHgHM&feature=uploademail

Kate, Do you like this video? If it is something you like, I can send you more.

I like it and plan to go thru this tonight with Cash. And I better git! 

Shirley

Comment by Shirley on December 6, 2011 at 2:26pm

That's great Kate!

I'd have never gotten where I have without someone helping me with lessons.

Two things that helped me the most. I really need a pattern to ride with obstacles to ride around ,over, and through. It's funny cause I knew I needed to do that and it was hard to find someone that gives adults lessons like this. Now kids, pony club etc., they have a great program that adds different things all the time as the riders skills advance. Some of the kids games were helpful That gets my mind and my horses mind on something besides waiting for something to cause a spook. If Cash gets bored like he does if we are just riding around and around in arena...that is always when he spooks. (Other then galloping horses behind us and a couple deer) The best thing is to keep him trying to pay attention to what we are going to do next. Another thing that has helped me is to take videos of us riding. Then days I can't ride, I can watch the videos and to the subconscious mind that is almost as good as a real ride. There has been studies on this that parts of the mind can't tell the difference between imagination or reality...some parts of the brain see it all as an experience you have had. I think watching a good experience video should have a similar result in the brain. I'm SURE it has helped me. One other specific thing that has really helped me in the past to go from point to point. Then I feel like I have accomplished something safely and Cash is more contented if he feels like we are headed somewhere...anywhere...even if it's not very far. So that is three things I guess and I don't have any idea if those will help you but they did me. Also just having someone, like a trainer or a friend near me when I am riding is helpful.

Do you ride inside or outside? Do you ride in a fenced area or wide open? Do you usually ride alone or with a friend or friends?

I guess I thought if you were from Texas we probably wouldn't have much riding things in common but fear is fear and you have to start with small things and build. I thought since you were training horses we wouldn't have many similar issues. I'd love to keep in touch and share experiences more if you'd like to do that. Some things we do might help each other. What do you think? I am for sure not a trainer but I've had six years of being a sponge and taking in info from several trainers. Most of my mentors come from a natural horsemanship background which is what appeals to me and I ride with a western saddle but like the idea of more refinement, calm hands, responding to cues as little as possible and cueing with my fanny and body. I do alot of ground work that has helped my confidence....most of that for me has come from home study packs from Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson and Buck Brannaman. There is alot of similarities with them. Also like Richard Winters and the guy from Canada that is participating in the RTTH next spring. (I don't know why I keep drawing a blank on his name...keep wanting to call him Jonathon Thomas? Those are just a few that have helped me, there are many other good ones out there. If I had more money I'd be buying more video programs but I have to draw the line somewhere. They say some people are car poor or house poor, I might fall under the head of "horse poor" but somehow I don't feel poor if I can have my horse, a roof over my head and food to eat.

Had no intention of going on like this, hope it's not too much. One nice thing about e-mail and chats etc. you don't have to listen if ya don't want to.

Have a good one!

Shirley

Comment by Kate Green on December 5, 2011 at 7:17pm

I have chosen to take the proverbial bull by the horns and take some lessons.  I found a lady that can help me out with one hour lessons, once a week.  Wish me luck.

Comment by Kate Green on November 30, 2011 at 4:04pm

I pick and chose the moments to be firm.  If I cant out wait them, I ask them to move their feet.  Of course, that's if it is a respect issue.  If it is a fear, or spook issue I give them time to assess and If possible investigate what I am asking them to do.  If they can be more at ease with what I ask in anyway, that's what I want.  I do a lot of desensitizing with objects that move and make noise for that reason. I follow what I can of the Anderson training method.  The ones I started under saddle are far more respectful than the older ones trained by my father in law.  It's mostly a lack of practice over the years for those individuals.  I won't get on until I am reasonably sure I can trust them.  I spend a lot of time in one stirrup, letting them feel my weight while I move my foot and the off stirrup against their side to prepare them for mounting.  I love our horses and want them to enjoy our time together, not resent it.  They are given affection when they do well and after completion of all work outs.  I have brought several along quite far, just need time to finish them.

Comment by Shirley on November 30, 2011 at 12:52pm

Kate, Your situation sounds very exciteing to me. For sure we have to be especially careful. It's always good to be cautious but when there is no insurance or can't afford to break ourselves esp. as we age it becomes even a better idea. Getting hurt a couple times while riding and facing the challenges of working with horses as made me more confident in life in general. Some things that used to be really intimidating for me are easier for me and getting better yet. "If I can do 'this' with a horse, I can handle that person" And as I see how horses relate to me I feel better about myself. Most the time they seem to sense I'm 'okay & or safe" and they don't get crazy with me. I watch others be gruff and all tough just to end up with the horse acting flighty. The person has made the horse nervous about them handling them. I don't mean with all horse cause there are some at our barn that I just don't see any sense in messing with. They nip or run anyone over....just no respect, I leave those alone. What i'm trying to say: A horse is hesitant about entering it's stall, you can immediately get bossy and start yelling or even whacking the horse or you can give them a moment to see for themselves that it's okay or you can walk by and come back giving them a moment to feel safe. Sometimes I want to say "Chill, give him a moment to see it's okay." Anyway, just sharing my experiences. Being around horses as an adult for just 7 years I don't feel I can say much to someone that's dealt with horses forever. I can be firm if necessary but in general that attitude just doesn't work for me. Want to share any of your experiences?
Happy Horsen Around!

 

Comment by Kate Green on November 30, 2011 at 1:55am

You know, I became part of a family that had these Galiceno horses a year and a half ago.  Only one was broke, some were pasture sour and too old to work with and some were young and untried.  I had not ridden at that time since I was 17.  Needless to say in my excitement and impatience I tried riding bareback on El Dorado, an then 19 yo gelding that hadn't been ridden since he was 3.  I forgot how I used to condition my body for bareback riding over the course of a few weeks of intense but low impact riding. I would ride 4 hours a day until I was strong enough to take a faster pace safely.  I rushed things and took a nasty spill a week before thanksgiving last year.  I was injured badly and continue to suffer the after effects of that mishap today, every moment of my day.  I did not give up, but did have to take time off to heal. When I started back, I decided I needed to use a saddle every time.  Over time my ability has increased, but I still feel I need lessons to rebuild skill that will lead to confidence.  I also need a professional trainer to finish my youngsters since I dont have any health insurance and cannot afford another injury. I did manage to take a few from halter/lead broke only to started under saddle last spring.  It has helped me believe in my self, but I also recognize my own short comings.

Comment by Shirley on June 2, 2010 at 12:09am

Eva, Congratulations on your first horse. I bought a barely 3 year old when I was 53 (6 yrs. ago) and I hadn't ridden since I was a teen-ager and I wasn't a good rider then. My horse then had total control of me. But I'm having a great time this time around. Buying a younger horse did bring it's challenges but you will learn so much more then you would with a been-there/done that kinda horse

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