laura jeanne
25th Aug 2007, 06:15 PM
We liked it!
We got there at 8:30. OH had to tack up a horse and I had to go and be a side walker for the first lesson. The other SW and I had to stand well away from this 6-year-old boy or else he would jump off into our arms. He was mentally and physically handicapped - I don't think he can speak. He did laugh several times and seemed to like it. We walked and trotted around in the arena and walked a lot in a big field with very uneven ground which I imagine is good for the rider's balance but hard for the SW. I had to watch the rider and also watch where I was stepping!
In OH's lesson, a rider on another horse fell off. She was about a 10-year-old and she and the other rider were each carrying a big yellow bucket. I think this was supposed to relax their shoulders or something, but this one girl kept dropping her bucket. Finally, the horse spooked at that and she slid off the side. She was not hurt and did get back on and finish the lesson.
We only stayed for 2 out of the 3 lessons because other volunteers kind of straggled in as the morning went on so they didn't need us.
Yes, it was very hot - must go buy something besides jeans to wear. Wide-leg, loose-fitting light cotton pants??? Where to find tho!
I did wear my straw western hat that I've had for ages for the first time.
We liked it and can't wait til they call us again. The kids seemed so happy - grins on their faces :D
eta: next time I am going to try to start out side walking on the inside - it's hard to keep up when they are trotting if you are on the outside. And they never changed direction -
second edit: my rider was chewing on the end of his chin strap and all of a sudden I noticed that blood was dripping out of his mouth. We had to stop so the RI could wipe it off but I guess he was okay because we just went on with the lesson.
We got there at 8:30. OH had to tack up a horse and I had to go and be a side walker for the first lesson. The other SW and I had to stand well away from this 6-year-old boy or else he would jump off into our arms. He was mentally and physically handicapped - I don't think he can speak. He did laugh several times and seemed to like it. We walked and trotted around in the arena and walked a lot in a big field with very uneven ground which I imagine is good for the rider's balance but hard for the SW. I had to watch the rider and also watch where I was stepping!
In OH's lesson, a rider on another horse fell off. She was about a 10-year-old and she and the other rider were each carrying a big yellow bucket. I think this was supposed to relax their shoulders or something, but this one girl kept dropping her bucket. Finally, the horse spooked at that and she slid off the side. She was not hurt and did get back on and finish the lesson.
We only stayed for 2 out of the 3 lessons because other volunteers kind of straggled in as the morning went on so they didn't need us.
Yes, it was very hot - must go buy something besides jeans to wear. Wide-leg, loose-fitting light cotton pants??? Where to find tho!
I did wear my straw western hat that I've had for ages for the first time.
We liked it and can't wait til they call us again. The kids seemed so happy - grins on their faces :D
eta: next time I am going to try to start out side walking on the inside - it's hard to keep up when they are trotting if you are on the outside. And they never changed direction -
second edit: my rider was chewing on the end of his chin strap and all of a sudden I noticed that blood was dripping out of his mouth. We had to stop so the RI could wipe it off but I guess he was okay because we just went on with the lesson.