June 9 2012

98th ride. I used the rope hackamore again.

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Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on June 12, 2012 at 8:51am: Thanks Shirley! Really looking forward to your video!

Comment by Shirley on June 11, 2012 at 5:51pm: Margaret, You are doing so good! You have come a long long way!!

Enjoying your pics and videos.

I do have a video from our Mobile Confidence Course that I need to get posted.

Shirley

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on June 11, 2012 at 11:11am: Thanks Jackie! I was doing a lot of bumping on the rein to get him to bring his attention back to me when he was staring out and I felt he was getting spooked at something. I have been trying to use the outside rein as a supporting rein, just like you do with a bit. From watching the dvd's I have I see it is almost the same as riding with a bit. I still have to be careful and try to get softer as he can get dull to my rein aids still with too much bumping and too tight a rein. I have to loosen up on the rein, I see in the video I have that I was a little too tight and he looked very relaxed and responding well (me getting scared). I want to start doing the riding exercises from Jonathan Field Natural Foundation of Horsemanship Collection, maybe even start to lope with his methods, but not until Cooper & I are comfortable with everything else.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on June 11, 2012 at 9:12am: Hi Margaret, I've been where you are now, had a good start and now on your own.

This is when we learn to become better riders. You and Cooper will be developing your own mutual language, and since you have disabilities it will be a pretty unique language!

Good for you going bitless for a while. This will help prevent some of the biggest usual mistakes as you and Cooper work together. Just watch yourself, if you find yourself in a pulling match start giving and taking with your hand/s. I know you have difficulties with your legs, maybe on turns you could put your other hand on the side of his neck and sort of push in alteration with the turning rein. Experiment!

My first horse did not have much training and I was effectively a beginner. I survived, he survived, and he made me into a pretty decent rider/horsewoman. May the same happen with both of you!

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on June 10, 2012 at 9:38pm: Cooper does like the bit too, but I am yanking too much right now with the fear. He is responding so well to the hackamore, and I can use just the rope halter too as they work the same.

I haven't been taking lessons since I moved Cooper. I had 2 left of the last session and took them on a lesson horse. I can't afford any right now but someday I will take more. There is a retired coach at my barn and she has said she would give me the occasional lesson, just to get together with her now. She has been in the arena a few times while I was riding and has given me some pointers, which I really appreciate.

I've been watching all my lesson videos that Al videos for me, they are really helping too. And going to watch Jonathan Fields and Parelli over again. I am thinking I might try to do the Level 1 audition. I have been watching them online and I know that Cooper and I can do it.

I didn't go out today to see him, it was supposed to be very hot but I hear there was a very nice breeze. My stomach was bothering me from eating the wrong things :(

Comment by Shirley on June 10, 2012 at 7:57pm: Cash seems to like his bit better which surprises me. I haven't used the hackamore in a while now so I'll have to try again. I try to use my legs and butt more for directing and stopping but doesn't always work for us.

Are you still taking lessons? I still am for a while. Confidence issues are improving but long way to go.

I've been sorting thru papers and stuff all day. Put a bunch of horsie mags at the curb to give away and have some stuff sorted for a garage sale. Still have to mark the sale items and pick a day.

I'm headed to the barn shortly to give Cash a cool down with some buckets of water for a little bath. Just getting up and moving around in this heat is making me feel sick. Ridiculous!!!

Hope you had a good week-end.

Shirley

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on June 10, 2012 at 3:54pm: Yes, I think he prefers the rope hackamore. Going to try using it more often until I get better with my hands.