For Wilson and me, it's hacking.
Today was our second hack in less than a week. We really don't enjoy it but we know we have to do it. He's been doing such a lot of schooling lately that he deserves a break, but I don't want to not ride. I suppose I could ride Rocky but it never occurs to me!
Wils is a terrible wuss so hacking out is Definitely Good For Us: each time he becomes a little - a very little - braver, and each time I become more confident that he isn't going to do anything dangerous.
Usually when he is feeling unsure he backs off; today I extended my comfort zone a bit by asking him for Forwards. This is the aftermath of Day Three of grass nuts and thus far I've noticed more energy but nothing more, no bounciness or silliness. He went forwards far more happily than he generally does, and maintained it far more easily.
He's really very well-behaved when hacking even though he is always on the alert for monsters. There were a couple of occasions today when he was uncomfortable about things so I put him on the bit - he was going forwards beautifully so it wasn't difficult! - in the hope that he would recognise it as a Safe And Comfy Place and it seemed to work.
When we got back, after no mishaps except a baby-giraffe-type star jump when we were almost home :rolleyes: we encountered B who has just qualified her LR pony for HOYS. We chatted about her ponies and mine, and she remarked how well Wilson looks (second such comment in a few days :proud: ) and opined that he has a look of quality about him. Well, I nearly fell off. The surprise is twofold: firstly, B NEVER says anything nice unless she has to, and secondly (as I told her) Wils is just an unregistered nothing horse imported from Ireland.
Quality, eh. Mmm, it's a nice thought!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
What a difference
What a difference a better surface + Red Bag grass nuts make! Wilson is so much happier, probably because he doesn't have to work so hard. Today is Day 3 of RBGN and he has already twigged that it's a good idea to come over to the gate when he sees Mum.
Again he was lovely and forward and pingy, and I was able just to sit there and enjoy. For the first time in a while we did some MT and although I think he may have run a bit, at least it was energetic, bouncy running.
I had a series of texts from Mr WoW last night telling me what I've suspected for some time: that he won't be able to teach me as often or as regularly as previously. I'm now his only client in this neck of the woods, and he lives about 45 minutes away. He says he'll probably only be able to come over once a month, which is a bit poo but in the circumstances it's jolly decent of him to come at all. He knows I've been having lessons with SBN (reckons he's scared of her too) and when I asked him if he'd prefer to bequeath me to her or anybody else he said No Way, he has first dibs. I suggested that if he wanted more clients over this way he should pitch to Jabba the Hutt as that would be a LOT more client.
I've postponed my next lesson with SBN until next week as *touchwood* things are going ok.
Again he was lovely and forward and pingy, and I was able just to sit there and enjoy. For the first time in a while we did some MT and although I think he may have run a bit, at least it was energetic, bouncy running.
I had a series of texts from Mr WoW last night telling me what I've suspected for some time: that he won't be able to teach me as often or as regularly as previously. I'm now his only client in this neck of the woods, and he lives about 45 minutes away. He says he'll probably only be able to come over once a month, which is a bit poo but in the circumstances it's jolly decent of him to come at all. He knows I've been having lessons with SBN (reckons he's scared of her too) and when I asked him if he'd prefer to bequeath me to her or anybody else he said No Way, he has first dibs. I suggested that if he wanted more clients over this way he should pitch to Jabba the Hutt as that would be a LOT more client.
I've postponed my next lesson with SBN until next week as *touchwood* things are going ok.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
You never know:
- we might even get it right when it matters one day.
Lesson with SBN yesterday, worked on Forwards. She was pleased but it felt raggedy to me. We pencilled in another for Thursday, contingent on how things go in the meantime.
Well. Today was just SO much fun! As of last Saturday we have our new surface (PVC granules, which have been spread on top of the sand) and it rides really well especially as the sand is still quite wet underneath. As of yesterday Wilson has a very few Red Bag grass nuts. I didn't think it would be long until I saw a difference in him, and I was right.
He tried to shamble along in our warm-up walk but I wouldn't let him, and after that he positively PINGED. I can't remember the last time I didn't have to do anything except steer! Canter was really good, as were the downwards transitions from it (which I learned how to do in our lesson post-mortem yesterday, duh) and we were done and dusted within 30 minutes.
Am frightfully in lurve with horsey.
In other news, Nadia is having a lesson with Polly Stockton today!
Lesson with SBN yesterday, worked on Forwards. She was pleased but it felt raggedy to me. We pencilled in another for Thursday, contingent on how things go in the meantime.
Well. Today was just SO much fun! As of last Saturday we have our new surface (PVC granules, which have been spread on top of the sand) and it rides really well especially as the sand is still quite wet underneath. As of yesterday Wilson has a very few Red Bag grass nuts. I didn't think it would be long until I saw a difference in him, and I was right.
He tried to shamble along in our warm-up walk but I wouldn't let him, and after that he positively PINGED. I can't remember the last time I didn't have to do anything except steer! Canter was really good, as were the downwards transitions from it (which I learned how to do in our lesson post-mortem yesterday, duh) and we were done and dusted within 30 minutes.
Am frightfully in lurve with horsey.
In other news, Nadia is having a lesson with Polly Stockton today!
Thursday, 23 July 2009
SBN comes up with the goods
Apparently we did arrange a lesson! Anyway she came, I poured out my troubles, she empathised in a briskly hearty and encouraging way, and then we got going.
Wils was in a lovely mood today. I think he is starting to like SBN. We were wearing our beige/brown outfits because we have been so shit, but our first trot was Not Bad At All and things just got better from there. Again I struggled with inside bend, especially on the left rein, but it's easier to deal with things when there's somebody helping you.
To cut a long story short, we did quite well in the end. SBN said that our trot was 100% better than in our very first lesson, our transitions in and out of canter are improving, the canter itself is also better, and so is our sitting trot.
She watched the videos of Saturday's tests and agreed that Wilson simply hadn't been forward. She also thinks I tend to over-ride; I'm generally guilty of the exact opposite so I'm probably over-compensating. We talked about WHY I can't tell whether Wilson is going forward properly in a test situation when I can tell perfectly well at home, and have come up with an action plan.
I don't know whether or not to ride tomorrow; we could do with consolidating today's lesson but at the same time he deserves a day off. I'll see what the weather's like!
Wils was in a lovely mood today. I think he is starting to like SBN. We were wearing our beige/brown outfits because we have been so shit, but our first trot was Not Bad At All and things just got better from there. Again I struggled with inside bend, especially on the left rein, but it's easier to deal with things when there's somebody helping you.
To cut a long story short, we did quite well in the end. SBN said that our trot was 100% better than in our very first lesson, our transitions in and out of canter are improving, the canter itself is also better, and so is our sitting trot.
She watched the videos of Saturday's tests and agreed that Wilson simply hadn't been forward. She also thinks I tend to over-ride; I'm generally guilty of the exact opposite so I'm probably over-compensating. We talked about WHY I can't tell whether Wilson is going forward properly in a test situation when I can tell perfectly well at home, and have come up with an action plan.
I don't know whether or not to ride tomorrow; we could do with consolidating today's lesson but at the same time he deserves a day off. I'll see what the weather's like!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Dreamed of Joe last night
And woke up sobbing.
He was in a separate paddock, looking a bit unkempt. He wasn't allowed to come out of the paddock and I wasn't allowed to go in. Somebody else went in to try to catch him but he wouldn't let her near and chased after her; I went to help her get out because I thought he was going to trample her and by the time I got there she had managed to escape. I stood at the gate and he came over and showed me a wound in his side which he wouldn't let me touch, but we cuddled and kissed for a long time, until my own tears woke me up.
I rarely dream about him and when I do it isn't a very nice dream. Same with Mum. I dreamed about her the night before (I'm never going to sleep ever again, it's horrid when I do) and it wasn't a nice one either.
I don't know what I'm going to do horse-wise. We had a disappointing day on Saturday, VERY average indeed, but on Sunday we had a super clinic with Debbie Jones and we were absolutely crackling with impulsion. I made the mistake of giving us the day off on Monday because we were both tired but in hindsight I should have ridden even if only for a few minutes. Since then Wilson has remained more forward than usual but things are not going well: I feel untidy and unco-ordinated (in my body I mean; matchy-matchy still obtains even for schooling sessions). The worst thing, which is making me fret, is that yesterday when I went to catch him, he walked away from me. Is he trying to tell me something important, or is he just a lazy git who'd prefer not to have to do any work?
I was supposed to be having a lesson with SBN today but as far as I can recall - and I'm sure I would recall - we haven't fixed a time so I don't know what I'm doing. If we aren't having a lesson we may go for a hack and clear our minds a bit.
I'm wondering if I've gone as far as I can go in terms of riding. It isn't very far yet it's further than I ever thought I would. Perhaps I should just be satisfied?
He was in a separate paddock, looking a bit unkempt. He wasn't allowed to come out of the paddock and I wasn't allowed to go in. Somebody else went in to try to catch him but he wouldn't let her near and chased after her; I went to help her get out because I thought he was going to trample her and by the time I got there she had managed to escape. I stood at the gate and he came over and showed me a wound in his side which he wouldn't let me touch, but we cuddled and kissed for a long time, until my own tears woke me up.
I rarely dream about him and when I do it isn't a very nice dream. Same with Mum. I dreamed about her the night before (I'm never going to sleep ever again, it's horrid when I do) and it wasn't a nice one either.
I don't know what I'm going to do horse-wise. We had a disappointing day on Saturday, VERY average indeed, but on Sunday we had a super clinic with Debbie Jones and we were absolutely crackling with impulsion. I made the mistake of giving us the day off on Monday because we were both tired but in hindsight I should have ridden even if only for a few minutes. Since then Wilson has remained more forward than usual but things are not going well: I feel untidy and unco-ordinated (in my body I mean; matchy-matchy still obtains even for schooling sessions). The worst thing, which is making me fret, is that yesterday when I went to catch him, he walked away from me. Is he trying to tell me something important, or is he just a lazy git who'd prefer not to have to do any work?
I was supposed to be having a lesson with SBN today but as far as I can recall - and I'm sure I would recall - we haven't fixed a time so I don't know what I'm doing. If we aren't having a lesson we may go for a hack and clear our minds a bit.
I'm wondering if I've gone as far as I can go in terms of riding. It isn't very far yet it's further than I ever thought I would. Perhaps I should just be satisfied?
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Oh. My. Deity.
FANTASTIC lesson today with ScaryButNice, who is becoming less and less scary and even nicer and nicer. I begin to detect a pussycat in there. Certainly she absolutely LOVES horses, which is something I can't say for everybody who's ever taught me.
Anyway. We definitely had our wobbly moments today but we started off fairly well, got swiftly better after a bit of "encouragement", and experienced a few moments of heaven.
I'm happy to say that I've never walked on a tightrope and have not the slightest intention of ever doing so - of all the pointless things to spend hours learning to do! - yet our Nirvana moments made me think that this must be what it feels like. Everything was perfectly poised, perfectly balanced, perfectly harmonious. Well it probably wasn't perfectly anything, but it felt like it and it was unutterably delightful.
The feel on the rein seemed to me like the balancing pole of the tightrope-walker: it was just THERE, not heavy, not lopsided: just right. I was aware of holding Wilson but not supporting him. I was able to keep him - all of him - in the right place for a number of strides before we wobbled, and then we were able to get back to where we were.
SBN loved his trot, the nice huffy one which doesn't forge ahead yet covers the ground and fairly "pings". He gets into his zone: his neck softens, he relaxes all over his back and the three of us just enjoy.
SBN didn't say the word "talented" - that is so a WoW word! - but she remarked that he finds it all very easy, which I've long suspected. She also commented that he's a lazy so-and-so, who will offer something adequate but who really has to be ridden in order to get anything better. She loves his rhythm and thinks he's a lovely-looking horse :-D
It would be lovely to replicate today's achievements on Saturday but it may not happen; the main thing though is that we have it. I can't believe how lucky I am to have a horse who is as "talented" as he is sweet and beautiful and kind and gentle and wonderful.
Who needs a hamster.
Anyway. We definitely had our wobbly moments today but we started off fairly well, got swiftly better after a bit of "encouragement", and experienced a few moments of heaven.
I'm happy to say that I've never walked on a tightrope and have not the slightest intention of ever doing so - of all the pointless things to spend hours learning to do! - yet our Nirvana moments made me think that this must be what it feels like. Everything was perfectly poised, perfectly balanced, perfectly harmonious. Well it probably wasn't perfectly anything, but it felt like it and it was unutterably delightful.
The feel on the rein seemed to me like the balancing pole of the tightrope-walker: it was just THERE, not heavy, not lopsided: just right. I was aware of holding Wilson but not supporting him. I was able to keep him - all of him - in the right place for a number of strides before we wobbled, and then we were able to get back to where we were.
SBN loved his trot, the nice huffy one which doesn't forge ahead yet covers the ground and fairly "pings". He gets into his zone: his neck softens, he relaxes all over his back and the three of us just enjoy.
SBN didn't say the word "talented" - that is so a WoW word! - but she remarked that he finds it all very easy, which I've long suspected. She also commented that he's a lazy so-and-so, who will offer something adequate but who really has to be ridden in order to get anything better. She loves his rhythm and thinks he's a lovely-looking horse :-D
It would be lovely to replicate today's achievements on Saturday but it may not happen; the main thing though is that we have it. I can't believe how lucky I am to have a horse who is as "talented" as he is sweet and beautiful and kind and gentle and wonderful.
Who needs a hamster.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Gah.
It's been going so badly since I came home that I can't motivate myself to ride. We're supposed to be competing next Saturday but there's absolutely no point - our huge improvement has nosedived and I don't need a judge to tell me all the things they've been telling me for months: I wanted a few new comments. And a good score, which certainly isn't on the cards right now.
Gah.
Gah.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Quick catch-up
Rome: over. Hotel superb, food quite incredible. You can keep the rest.
Horses, cats and kids intact when I got back.
Rode Wils at stupid o'clock yesterday and you can tell we've both had a week off. Spent the rest of the day getting the accounts ready for the accountant at 9.30 today. Finished about 8pm. Just tidying up now.
Nad on work experience at photographer's where they also sell handmade items of art/jewellery/craft and they have agreed to take my scarves and shawls. Which is nice!
Glenis and Poppy off to Royal Show today. Oh I hope they qualify for HOYS.
Horses, cats and kids intact when I got back.
Rode Wils at stupid o'clock yesterday and you can tell we've both had a week off. Spent the rest of the day getting the accounts ready for the accountant at 9.30 today. Finished about 8pm. Just tidying up now.
Nad on work experience at photographer's where they also sell handmade items of art/jewellery/craft and they have agreed to take my scarves and shawls. Which is nice!
Glenis and Poppy off to Royal Show today. Oh I hope they qualify for HOYS.
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