#5 Learning The Hard Way
"Progression, not perfection" is my mantra this week. Confronting my fear of horses is a challenge all on its own, let alone learning horsemanship lingo and actually riding.
This week, hoof picking was a bit of an issue. However, this time it wasn’t a fly I was afraid of... Watch the video:
Learning to bridle was definitely a learning experience. Here is a tip for a beginning rider on how NOT to bridal a horse. Watch the video:
After I brought Libby out to the arena, my trainer decided we should tighten the girth a bit to make sure the saddle was nice and tight. Libby was not a fan of this. She proceeded to move her head abruptly, pin her ears back and bite me on my elbow! (Not a bad injury, scared me more than anything). Valuable lesson of the day: watch the horse's ears and do not stand next to her face while someone is adjusting the girth.
After the biting incident I was a little on edge, but I pushed through. I worked on the two-point position. At the end of the lesson, my trainer Sally said I was ready to trot! Just when I thought I had learned all the lessons you could in a day, I received some unexpected homework! Sally gave me a handbook outlining North Coast Equestrian Park's lesson programs, tacking, and the five natural aids (Eyes, Voice, Hands, Seat/Body Weight, Legs), which help signal the direction, speed, and type of movement the rider wishes the horse to adopt.
I decided to wear our new trail-riding helmet, the Dakota Traildust. It’s not an English style, but it is Troxel’s most lightweight helmet available with the largest vent holes. I highly recommend for warm weather riding!
Well, it's time to study so I don’t make the same mistakes, and remember my mantra: progression, not perfection.
Have you had any lessons you have had to learn the hard way with your horse? Or have you ever felt the chomp of a horse's teeth biting your skin? Please leave me a comment!
Next: There’s No “Running” in Horsemanship!
Comments
Pola, about 1 year ago
WTG Karisa... You might actually insprire me to give horse riding a shot!! You are going to be a professional by lesson #8... Keep up the good work :).. I will tune in next week to see what you have learned from your " homework".
Krystal, about 1 year ago
Loved the videos, Karisa - you're so cute! :) Good for you for pushing through after the biting incident. My horse was cranky and bit my foot when I was disengaging her hindquarters. She also accidentally bit my finger when I was giving her a treat. Always feed treats with a flat hand! ;) Great mantra! I should abide by that myself. I've had to learn the hard way a few times. Those lessons taught me to breathe and listen to my horse & instinct. Can't wait to hear how your next lesson goes!
Christine, about 1 year ago
Great job, Karisa! Way to be an example and step up to the plate. When will you ride in your first show?
Shawna De Hoff, about 1 year ago
"Look at how clean, you can go dancing in these shoes"....I LOVE IT!!! Karisa you are so cute and funny!!
Can't wait to hear what happens next week!
Laine, about 1 year ago
The videos are hilarious!
Lura, about 1 year ago
You go girl! I hope that your arm is ok! Definitely excited for next week's blog!
Glen Newbeck, about 1 year ago
Epic. I would pay money to see this stuff live. You crack me up!
Rachael, about 1 year ago
move out of your comfort zone slightly then come bac to safety to build confidence. You don't have to knock down the mountain of fear in one shot!
Karisa, about 1 year ago
Thanks Julie! I will do my best ;)
Karisa, about 1 year ago
Thanks Sally! WIth out you I wouldn't be doing this!
Karisa, about 1 year ago
haha! Thanks Glen!
Laura, about 1 year ago
I learned if you don't have a solid foundation on the ground...you should never move on to the next level and always do the basics on the ground before you get on...making sure that your horse is in the right "mental and physical space" bef...ore riding. Always do a pre-flight check before riding to make sure they are responding and yielding properly to you and respecting you. We are often in a hurry to get on and ride, especially with our busy schedules. However, if you skip the ground work you risk alot. You get more out of your ride together if your horse is "checked-in" with you from the ground up. (via Facebook)
Veronica, about 1 year ago
Cousin, I am so DERN proud of you.!!!! You are a natural. Now you can come ride with me
Julie Goodnight, about 1 year ago
Good job Karissa! It's a great reminder to me what a challenge it is to learn all that stuff-- keep writing and keep us posted on your progression. Just cleaning out the hooves is a huge thing! Add to your lessons about that to keep your mouth shut and always scrape the hoof pick away from you, not toward you ;-) It is great you have an instructor that is teaching you everything, although I know it must seem like a lot right now. But after you've bridled a horse a couple hundred times, it'll seem like nothing! LOL!
Sally, about 1 year ago
Karisa is my star student
Heather, about 1 year ago
Sally you are doing a great job. You too Karisa. Keep up the good work!
Jennifer, about 1 year ago
"I learned how to put on a bridle after trying it myself for the first time"
Does this imply that you yourself tried the bridle on personally? That is some true commitment to learning what the horse is going through. Very impressive :)
Jill, about 1 year ago
It looks like you're making progress! Good for you. And I hope that with more practice you will be more schooled in forecasting a real poop rather than fake poop episode.
LMF, about 1 year ago
Great job with the bridle Karisa! I LOVE the video. Can't wait to read more about your adventures!