had a re-riding anniversary. I feel so happy getting off my horse each day now that I ride better.
At the end of my lesson i feel like my legs are so connected to my horse they just melt into her. I don't claim to be advanced at all, but I'm just saying.. the feeling of connection I get is so much more than it was even a year ago. . and i can't imagine where it goes from here!
The more solid i get over my jumps (still small!) the more I really just equate it to flying. A good jump feels like she just sailed right over the rail and I wonder why I was ever so anxious about them in the first place. I remember freezing in my jump position, giving no release and holding my breath those first few times.. but now I breath and let her go. My leg is stronger than it was a year ago and night and day from two years ago and it makes me feel more confident.
I'm starting to really have more subtle communication with her too. Before I felt that was impossible, but it was just because I was so busy trying to fuss with my seat on this large animal that was bouncing up and down below me.
Now I can focus more on keeping my thumbs up and just giving her a squeeze of my hand instead of a pull back on the reins.
I feel the direction this is all going in, and I love it so much! I don't always get it right but every day I get better.. and I'm pretty sure my horse likes me better for it! Of course she still looks at me sideways when i mess things up but we're definitely coming into our own. I don't even fear her spooking because I trust her, even though I know it will happen lol. But it's not malicious, at least. She will "carry us to safety" as she sees it, and I will "lean back and attempt to regain control" and tell her it's fine.
Almost every day I ride I want to come online and tell you all "I just rode my horse and it was amazing!" I usually fight the urge and just settle for being content with my inner glow, but today I wanted to share how very special this hobby is to me!
At the end of my lesson i feel like my legs are so connected to my horse they just melt into her. I don't claim to be advanced at all, but I'm just saying.. the feeling of connection I get is so much more than it was even a year ago. . and i can't imagine where it goes from here!
The more solid i get over my jumps (still small!) the more I really just equate it to flying. A good jump feels like she just sailed right over the rail and I wonder why I was ever so anxious about them in the first place. I remember freezing in my jump position, giving no release and holding my breath those first few times.. but now I breath and let her go. My leg is stronger than it was a year ago and night and day from two years ago and it makes me feel more confident.
I'm starting to really have more subtle communication with her too. Before I felt that was impossible, but it was just because I was so busy trying to fuss with my seat on this large animal that was bouncing up and down below me.
Now I can focus more on keeping my thumbs up and just giving her a squeeze of my hand instead of a pull back on the reins.
I feel the direction this is all going in, and I love it so much! I don't always get it right but every day I get better.. and I'm pretty sure my horse likes me better for it! Of course she still looks at me sideways when i mess things up but we're definitely coming into our own. I don't even fear her spooking because I trust her, even though I know it will happen lol. But it's not malicious, at least. She will "carry us to safety" as she sees it, and I will "lean back and attempt to regain control" and tell her it's fine.
Almost every day I ride I want to come online and tell you all "I just rode my horse and it was amazing!" I usually fight the urge and just settle for being content with my inner glow, but today I wanted to share how very special this hobby is to me!