My First Lesson!

[Tori3]

:eek: I can't believe it! I just had my first riding lesson today! The woman that my mom works with has a daughter that owns a horse. His name is Duran; he's an Arabian. We decided that I'd go out with Natasha (Duran's owner) to groom him and meet him and stuff.
They also decided that if he was good while she was lungeing him, I might get to ride him! I was so worried that he would act up or something, so I wouldn't be able to ride him.
Also, he has a SUPER sensitive mouth, and he gets upset if you use the reins too much; so I was worried that he might buck me off or something because I pulled the reins too hard; well, all my worries disappeared!

He was a complete sweetie on the lunge line, and after Natasha rode him for a few minutes, she asked me if I wanted to ride! I was so excited, I couldn't believe it! She told me how to make him turn and stop and go, and then I mounted up. I never thought I'd be able to get up into the saddle on my own, but I did! Without a mounting block or anything!
He hadn't been ridden for a while, so we were worried that he wouldn't listen; boy, did Duran prove us wrong! His ears flicked back and forth the whole time, and I went from Natasha walking beside us to doing figure-eights in the middle of the ring!
Natasha called me a...:o natural... :o And I felt so in control...also, I've been on a few trail rides, and I always got queasy when I got on my horse; but I didn't with Duran, not for one second, even though I knew that he was a bit more sensitive.

Anyway, I'm going back in about 6 days, and Natasha said that we'll try a jog! I'm so excited, and I couldn't believe it went so well. Sorry for the long message, I just didn't want to leave ANYTHING out! By the way, does picking the hooves out become easier after a while? :rolleyes:

[western]

Wow fantastic job ! How long was it since the horse was ridden ? I think that with the hoof picking that if you have a horse that will give you their hoof then it does get better, and also practice. Do you have a hard horse that wont pick up its feet ?

[SwiftwindSpirit]

Well done for the great lesson you had! :D It depends, some horses are really easy when it comes to picking out their hooves, while others can be very stubborn.

[OlavS]

Hi, Tori,

Well done!
I've only been riding a shortish while and I found that picking out the hooves does get easier.

You didn't say what you found difficult... so I'll have a quick ramble about the tool and working position, because that's what I struggled with.

Someone told me that the centre bit of the hoof was really sensitive, so I was scared to use any muscle power in case I hit it by accident. But my technique has developed and I'm not afraid to use a bit more force now.

I sit facing the opposite direction of the horse, on one knee and placing the leg on that knee for support...although I'm not sure that's the correct (i.e. safest) way of doing it. (can't remember what the instructional video said :o )

I was told to hold the tool so that the picking end is nearest the little finger, and points away from you. So you scrape down and away from you.

It's good practice to praise the horse when he is patiently lending you his leg until you are done.

If you're having difficulties getting him to raise the hoof in the first place, stroke with your hand from the shoulder down towards the hoof, as that will let him know you are doing something with his leg.

Good luck!
Olav

[Tori3]

I checked back this morning and found a bunch of replies...what a thrill! :) Thanks for the tips on picking the hooves; mostly what I have trouble with is figuring out where to start, and the stuff is always packed in really tightly; he's out in the pasture all day. Thanks again! :)

[OlavS]

I start on one side at the rear of the shoe (open end) and work my way forward along the edge, digging deeper and gradually working my way forwards and towards the centre bit/frog. (Always scraping towards the front of the shoe, though.) Then start again on the other side and work forwards again.
Also, make sure that there are no stones between the end parts of the shoe and the hoof, this is often overlooked I think.

If you're lucky, the dirt may chip off in layers and chunks (depends on the dirt type I guess).
The rear hooves are more difficult, so I always start with a front one to get into the swing of things.

Here's a good web page with pictures.
http://www.all-equestrian.com/hhseries/hoofcare.htm

I personally don't stand as uprightas the one in the pictures, but that's personal preference. And I don't use the same tool, just a simple metal one.

Olav

[Tori3]

Thanks again for the tips! By the way, any suggestions on how to get rid of the aches and pains that come the day after the lesson? :)

[horsefreak]

Originally posted by Tori3
By the way, any suggestions on how to get rid of the aches and pains that come the day after the lesson? :)

- ride again!!! I had to walk around HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) with saddle sore!! I was like a human monkey!!!!

Congrats on your first lesson!!


Ax ~ Jx