Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Horse Thief Part 2

I stole Blue again, but it was for a jump lesson.  I really wasn't sure what to expect because I haven't jumped in about six months.  And it wasn't like I was all that great at it anyway.  I typically have nerves associated with jumping and I was doing better with Pongo, but we were jumping regularly and I was quite familiar with him.  I was pleasantly surprised that I had zero nerves with Blue.

Granted the jumps were not high enough to impress Blue.  He has the mind set of if it isn't solid or big it really isn't worth the effort and tends to be a bit lazy behind.  But he is super honest and is a fun ride (despite being the opposite of my little idiot).

So much work!

Things started off a bit sluggish.  He was doing his best to sucks back behind my leg and lose all forward motion.  I was carrying a dressage whip, so I could improve the canter by tapping the inside hind and getting it a bit quicker.  And that helped his canter a lot until we entered the grid.  I am not coordinated enough to use the whip and well do really anything jumping related.

I finally convinced him that forward was much better and then things smoothed out a bit.  I was struggling a bit because the saddle does not fit me at all.  My knees hang off the flap and I wasn't able to shorten my stirrups as much as I like.  Here is our final round through the grid.

10 comments:

  1. Ooh that grid looks like a blast tho!! Gotta love getting out for fun and different rides every now and then!! Are you going to make lessons on other horses a regular thing in your routine again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always up for riding other things, but a lack of time has been the rate limiting factor lately. It really helps my confidence when I can pop on other things and remind myself that I can actually ride.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Jump all baby things!!!! It's fun to get a change of pace occasionally.

      Delete
  3. He looks like such a minimal effort guy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very much so. All effort is saved for solid things and big fences. Other people have jumped him 3' and he could easily go higher.

      Delete
  4. I love his I'm gonna just barely slink over these tiny jumps attitude.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the video! You guys seem like you "click" quite well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. He is an easy horse to click with. Super sweet and willing even if he is on the lazy side of things. :)

      Delete