We hacked out!

[Grace O'Malley]

I've been riding a friend/instructor's older arab gelding a bit over the past few weeks--trying to take over where my son left off when he went back to school, even though I have way less time/muscle/nerve than he does :eek: This weekend I went along to ride him on fun ride of 2 five mile loops, while she did the 25 mile intro endurance ride on her younger horse. Well, we had fun :cool: though he got very hyped and wanted to race. So today I went over and she said "take him down to the park at the end of the road and do a few circuits of the dirt track there."

"Okay" says I :eek: :eek: I'm terrified of riding on roads. Okay, this was just a little lane in a small town with lots of horse properties. But still... Well, he was great! :D Walked out nice and relaxed, just the way I wanted him to on Saturday (when he would only jig). There were cars, dogs, people walking, scary big truck things and so on. The biggest reaction he gave was to look suspiciously at some bushes. He was right: there could have been anything in there! ;)

What a prince :)

Grace

edited to add: *alone*, which is really the point. I've been riding for years, but never have I gone out on the roads, just me and a horse before :D

[kedwards]

Good for you! I love riding out, but I'm very leary of riding on roads, so I'm certainly impressed.

[Alle]

That sounds like fun. Over here, we aren't allowed to ride out on the roads, and it's a shame since we are close to the beach. Good for you for having the guts to go out alone...I know I would be nervous!

[Grace O'Malley]

Thanks for the encouragement, kedwards & alle :D

It was a big lesson in trust and partnership for me. I trusted his owner not to send me out if she thought I might get into something I couldn't deal with, and trusted him to take care of me. Also it's a good community with restricted traffic access, and a lot of horses in the area. Most places I'd be terrified of the generally low standard of driving--crossing streets while walking is harrowing enough!

I've really been getting a lot out of the opportunity just to ride outside of a lesson setting. It's gven me the chance to concentrate on my position, his movement, and applying what various instructors have told me over the years, as well as what I've read in books and on this board! I'm finally feeling much better about my lower leg position, not gripping with my right knee (in particular) and so coming loose in that stirrup. Makes me feel a lot better about having had to give up lessons for the time being.

Grace,
still smiling, and wondering what we'll do tomorrow :cool:

[Alle]

That really does sound fun and the horse probably enjoys getting to do something different too. We have no road access here like I said before, but we do have access to a trail system. We are not allowed to trot or canter on it though. I have yet to take Sevi out on it, but we do hack around on the property. She is always very interested (unless tired after a lesson where she is probably irriated with me more then anything, heh) and is looking around with her ears pricked.

It's great that you have another opportunity to apply what you learned in the lessons. Spending additional time in the saddle, especially in the constructive way you've been doing, can only help. Good for you!