Very Nice Weekend

July 9 & 10 2011

We had a very good weekend together. I rode Cooper both days.

On Saturday we were both so relaxed. Rode indoors practicing what I had learned during our lesson on Tuesday.

We were working on the outside supporting rein doing figure 8's at a trot. Yay!! Yes back to trotting again but need to really work on that steering. I also have to work on my leg position, it's hard to try work, but will get there someday.

We also worked on whoa and back up. He doesn't have very good brakes, so lots of trot to a whoa and back a few steps.

Must remember to relax, lengthen my legs, breathe.

On Sunday we rode outside. My prosthetic leg was bothering me in the heat and it was twisting in the stirrup. I got a blister at the back of the knee from the sock rolling down into the prosthetic and rubbing. I must remember to wear a longer sock from now on when I plan on riding.

I might try the Lyons crooked stirrups again too, see if they help with the twisting, they should.

Cooper was a really good boy again, a little lazy today because of the heat, which was good. A few times he seemed to want to go too fast but we worked things out. He had tiny spooks in the far corners where there were bushes with monsters in them. I kept hearing that voice telling me to look forward to where I want to go, not to look where the horse is looking and we went past the bushes ok.

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Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on July 11, 2011 at 10:12pm: Thx so much Jackie!

We humans do tend to dwell too much on what happened in the past and it's hard to get over it. I am trying to leave it behind and look forward, that's what Gail, my instructor says I have to do.

I know Cooper & I (Margaret is my name) are going to learn lots together, he is so smart, picks things up faster than I do. Several other experienced people who have ridden him says he is very sensitive. He stands quietly while I get on & off, draggin my leg over his rump both ways.

It is much better now that I can ride him but it's hard to get out often to see him. I did great last week, getting out there 3 times, which usualy it is only 1 or 2 times a week. I will be going Thursday nights after work for an evening lesson then the weekends, maybe not always both days. It's a 40 minute drive to the barn one way. I am going to be tired Friday mornings for work.

Yesterday I tried to jump away while dismounting instead of lowering myself out of the saddle and found out I don't have very good springs in the knees. Now both legs are sore, my other knee is hurting from trying to do that, I should have known better!! Getting too old to try those things!

Really looking forward to the next lesson and the next and the next LOL

I'm getting stronger, I have been trying to keep up with doing the treadmill and exercise bike during my lunch time at work to help strengthen my legs. Also strength training for my arms and still going to physio and working on the injured rotator cuff, which is slowly improving.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on July 11, 2011 at 12:53pm: I am so glad that you can get lessons now.

Part of a riding instructor's job is getting a rider over the fear of falling. I was lucky when I started after a fall with a concussion, couldn't ride for six weeks, that my riding instructor quickly got me past my fear, mainly by putting me on a 26 year old ex-cowpony who shifted over when he felt me losing my balance. This was over 40 years ago.

You have a special challenge with your prosthetic leg. So long you keep getting back on and keep up getting lessons you will progress. You have the advantage that you can practice your lessons on your horse in between the lessons, this is wonderful, it helps both you and your horse progress.

Good work Coopersmom!