LOL, no, I'm still on the ground! I'm getting the horse to do those things without a rope. I have to get my body language right. It's difficult for me. I have a hard time staying in the right position. I just learned that the rear is the gas and the front is the brake. How long have you been in lessons? My husband says I should be on the horse by now, but I'm perfectly comfortable going at this pace.
Ok whew, I thought I missed a lot and that you were way ahead of me in a weeks time. LOL
I haven't cantered yet though on or off line.
I started lessons back in May, but only for May and June, July became too hot for me. I have had 3 or 4 lessons in August. We are getting there, but its going very slowly.
My hubby says the same kind of stuff. Just get on and go ride. I started riding at 3, but in my 40's got the fear. So now into my 50's this is a hard road to go, I don't want to get hurt again I guess. I stopped riding altogether and wanted to get rid of the ponies I had, but hubby said no because he built the run-in's for them and all the post holes he dug by hand for the fencing etc. He said the ponies were staying. So I told him that they were his and I was done.
But then this haflinger mare came into my life and I don't know, but there was something that just connected inside me with her.
The fear is a horrible thing and it snowballed in me. I went from fear of riding to a fear of even just sitting on a horse, I could not lead them, and actually I could not go inside the fencing with one. Forget about leading them too.
I know I have told you before, my first lesson was a hard swallow for me, because I was embarrassed that I could not lead my mare. But that first lesson was awesome for me. And when the show I took my grandson into for lead line and I actually did the leading, it was a wow moment for me. No fear at all, and just a rush. A couple more riding lessons and I actually entered a beginners trail class. I was about as much of a basket case as one could get, but I was determined to do it and I did. It wasn't pretty, but I don't care. She was of course a little uppity for that class, she just waited til I got on to act up, but I handled her, and we got thru it.
I thought perhaps I was going to be fine, and took her to the beach one day, BIG mistake. Eventually due to some much going on, me being nervous, and another horse running past us, she bolted. My mare gives a warning sign though, so I knew it was coming and got her into the one rein stop. I really never got her feet to stop moving, but I did get her walking to a point where I felt it was ok and safe for me to get off. I led her back to the trailer and waited for the others to finish. I did some leading her on the beach but couldn't get her too close to the ocean.
I am an optimist though, I look at that experience differently then others that think I failed. I think I did very good, I got her to the beach, I did ride her on the beach, which once her feet hit sand she did not want to continue, but we worked thru that , and I actually handled a bolt(my biggest fear).
So now, I am in no rush, we are back to lessons and we are starting the trot off line now. I think if I can get into a canter, then the trot won't be so much of an issue.
We start off every lesson with ground work and that seems to help me a lot. I get a sense of her mood, and her movements. Sometimes I can tell she is going to act up, but with the ground work and not giving into her, she just licks her lips and accepts me.
Oh my, sorry I did not mean to write a journal here. LOL I don't really have anyone but my trainer that understands and that I can get this off my chest with.
Its funny really, this is not like riding a bike. When I started my lessons, my seat was horrible, I was never comfortable. The last 2 lessons have been great though. Once I stopped looking down at my horse and I look up and my seat is much better, hence I am more comfortable (which I hope makes my horse more comfortable).
I have another lesson tomorrow morning, so I will let you know how that goes.
