Horse Recognition
Friday, 27 October 2000
Yesterday I went to a store in Lisbon, on my way to work, to buy a crop. To avoid having to search for one in a corner of the barn and replace it there at the end of the lesson, I wanted one of my own (pretty good excuse for a compulsive buy, isn't it?). I tried to hide it the best I could on my way to work, but I couldn't avoid some strange looks on the subway. I'll spare you all the comments I heard from my colleagues as I got to work with a crop! 
Today my mount was Jubileu, the same horse from the previous Friday (remember... the 17+ hand horse? 
). I was already with my self-esteem in the pits - I let my mother convince me to wash my jods, so I was the only one around the place with freshly perfumed trousers. Yuck! But worse was coming. When I went to Jubileu's box to take him out he seemed to have recognize me. He took a step back and positively refused to walk forward in a "Not this bouncing, kicking incompetent again!" kinda of attitude. After a few wasted minutes of persuasion the instructor's daughter offered help, which I promptly accepted. I was predicting a complete humiliation by having him follow her like a puppy, but at least he made some token resistance (Thank you Jubileu - I could just kiss you!). He refused to walk again at the arena's gate, but this time, with space to move him, I just turned him around till he had to take a sideways step and then pulled him forwards (a little trick I read somewhere).
The other student was riding the paranoid "fighter pilot" mare that once again pulled a 360 to avoid being first in line. We did lots of rising trot - and I was finally able to consistently do it without bumps, while gently squeezing the horse forward. On the other hand the transition up to canter was the same disgrace as usual. I still can't agree with the stirrups, and I had my instructor laughing from the two of us (Jubileu and me) blowing in frustration. Following my instructor's cues I did a transition by squeezing the legs around Jubileu and pushing forward. I was so surprised at it working so well that I just sat there and we fell back into trot in no time - at least for once I kept my feet in the stirrups <clap> <clap> <clap> <clap> <clap>!
Once again Jubileu proved himself to be a real gentleman. Not only did he lower his head for me to take the bridle off, but the first thing he did when we got back to his box was to take a leak... a very, very, veeerry long leak. If horses could smile of relief he would have. I thing he might have been crossing his hind legs a bit in the way back to the box .
After the lesson I watched the instructor working the mare that might be pregnant for a few minutes. It seems she has been using the pregnancy to put even more of an antic disposition. One thing is certain, she doesn't like spectators. Not only did she pass gas twice as she went past me, but she even flogged me with her tail straight in my face. I have therefore compiled the following list of milestones in the carer of a rider.
Done
Thrown
Flogged
Farted upon
Having snot wiped upon
To Do
Stepped on (almost)
Urinated upon (almost)
Kicked
Bitten
Butted
Dragged
As you can see I'm really progressing along!
Pedro Fortunato
Lisbon, Portugal
