Came off again, 2nd time in two weeks!

[VickiGG]

Yep - last night - I was practising getting my leased horse (he's about 20 and quite grumpy when he's had enough) soft in the jaw and neck - we did this at walk and trot for about 40 minutes in the paddock, and then I thought I would see how he coped in canter. He got quite strong so I thought - right this is the perfect time to practice my one rein stop....

(2 weeks ago he bolted to the gate, 180 degrees around the gate post and through the open gate where I promptly fell off - only a smack in the nose from my helmet and some bruises luckily - since then a friend has been helping school him (well she did heaps with him over Easter and I have been following her good work with her instructions)....

Well I don't think I leaned to the centre enough because Blue lost his balance with such a tight canter circle and then I came off the outside...landing on my left side this time and grazing my arm, and brusing my leg....felt all my bones in my neck crack like when you go to the physio! :(

The good news is - this time I got back on straight away (after I caught him - he had run away back to the pens as if nothing had happened)...and rode him (no canter though) for another 10 minutes. Doing lots of one rein stops from walk.

Oh dear....how do I practise one rein stops for canter without injuring myself... ?????? .....last week was the third time he had bolted back to the gate (food orientated)... so it's a tool I really need to know....

I don't have a float to take him to my school - I have lessons on school horses who of course are not so grumpy.

He's very cute though....
Vicki

[Quest]

can't help with the one rein stop but just had to say well done for getting back on after such a big fall.

[virtuallyhorses]

Vicki is being too modest. Blue can be a right cranky old sod and he is also incredibly lazy at balancing himself (partly because he has a bit of arthritis in his joints but mainly because he's never been taught to do anything else ) He's somewhat like riding a piece of custard with a steel bar running through it for a spine\neck and a big attitude for a brain :eek:

He can be a difficult customer in many ways to ride and quite a challenge for anyone, no less a learner. He's not mean in anyway, just unschooled - and determined ;)

BTW I'm Vicki's 'friend', so Blue and I know each other quite well after a few showdowns over Easter weekend.

[VickiGG]

thanks Viv for the vote of confidence - still not sure how to 'approach' things next though....might go out tonight for a wee ride if I can get away from work. :rolleyes:

Thanks Charlette - the first time I came off Blue I didn't get back on - I was shaking and in tears! :(

It was easier the second time...

[VickiGG]

don't know if anyone is reading these....but I went out to see Blue tonight and I got put off by the fact there was a TB being ridden in the riding paddock and I thought Blue might get a bit cheeky (he is best when we ride alone for some reason). He gets so excited and distracted. :rolleyes: Excuses excuses I know.

So I lunged him and taught him how to walk on the lunge (he has only ever gone from stop to trot to canter to trot to stop)...so that was a major breakthrough.

Didn't ride though.... :(

Vicki

[hackedoff]

Didn't ride though.... :(

Vicki
Dont worry about that sweetie when I banged myself up in the Autumn last year hitting a tree I spent 2 months lungeing, long reining and in-hand walking. It was exactly what my horse needed and it really cemented our bond, do you want to be a horsewoman or a rider? If the former then the time you spend on the ground is just as valuable.
Hope you're not hurting
Hackedoff

[rabbit]

I agree with hacked off. Any time with a horse is never wasted as you're working on trust and the relationship.

I took a fall a month ago, and since then I have spent a lot of time riding at walk. I practice the turning aids, halting, rein back and leg yield.

I'm only just feeling more confident now, but I definately trust my horse more and feel more in tune with him.

[VickiGG]

thanks Hackedoff and rabbit - I did enjoy the lunging because I taught him to walk (major achievement)...before that he used to basically 'run away from and around the whip" - I have never hit him with it! :) rushing around like his tail was on fire! :)

rabbit - I might try a whole ride just walking tomorrow - what a good idea.

Hackedoff - ouch - a tree! Did you break anything?

Vicki

[hackedoff]

@vicki- came out the side door hit a fallen tree bounced off and hit the deck!
No breaks but I had 'double bum' where my coccyx was badly bruised and still have a lump on my right hip.
Enjoy your time with your horse, any achievement is worthwhile :D

[Justie B52]

Hiya,

Just wanted to say sorry you had another off but a massive well done for getting straight back on! Very brave of you.

I hope you're not too bruised.

Justie x

[VickiGG]

Justie - thanks - I'm not too bruised - using Arnica cream :) - I must say falling off twice now and NOT seriously hurting myself makes the idea of falling off less scary....

Just a grazed bruised elbow, hip and back and sore muscles from the whiplash (neck and shoulders)...sounds worse than it is! :p

Hackedoff - did you kick the tree afterwards! My mum always used to say if you give the pain back to the thing that hurt you it helps.... :D