I Can Trot! I Can Trot! I Can Trot!

[Roheryn]

I can trot! For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century I am really trotting, and it is great! Today I trotted all the way around the school (all right, the small school, but still we did it). I have not trotted that much in nearly 25 years, and I was MUCH younger then! And now I'm not trotting just to get from one place to another, I'm working on riding and schooling while we're trotting. I'm able to not just post, but to think about my heels and legs and keeping him in a frame and keeping him forward and slowing him down when I want to with my seat.
I've been working up to it in my lessons these past few months, and today I really feel I'm riding again. I've been hoping I'd get back to where I could do this, but to actually be doing it is like going back in years.
Today (in a lesson) and yesterday (just riding) my guy stood still for me to mount. I didn't have anyone in the school with us to hold him, he just stood. Two of the times I mounted he walked off as soon as I was in the saddle, and it didn't phase me. I just found my off stirrup and halted him and then gathered up my reins and got him going again.
It is so wonderful to feel I am me and can do what what I want so much to do, it is literally like being given a new lease of life.
I want to say Hallelujah--so I think I will!
And I want to say how much I love this board and how wonderful all of you are reading and replying to posts--it is a great group, isn't it!

[horse_converted]

hi. that is great to hear. i know how you feal i have only started to ride a few months ago and have just started with a new school. and found out that i was tought all wrong. but i am doing it right now well most of the time lol. I also agree that nr is great people have helped me with things it is great :cool: :)

[louise1]

I know what you mean and feel. I just need to keep my horse going at the same pace and not slow down - but that will come with time.

[Amy's mum]

Woo-hoo!!!
Well done.
Sounds like things are definately going well for you.

[Deana]

Thats great.

Like Lousie i am having trouble keeping my RS horse, Merlin, going in trot. $th lesson tomorrow, weather permitting, so hopefully will get some more practice.

[horse_crazy]

well done!

it's a good feeling when you finily get something right after so long!

so proud of you!

Rach x

[Roheryn]

Thanks!
Keeping him going requires keeping my legs on him and trying to keep my hands correct enough that I keep contact with his mouth but don't unintentionally tell him to slow down. I think also posting faster might help too, if posting slower will slow him down? Hmmm.
One thing I discovered--and was glad I did--was that "Whoa" will bring him down to walk and halt. Very handy to know!
The last few times I've gone out to bring him in he has come to the gate to meet me. That is such a change, and while sometimes as soon as we're outside the gate he puts his head down to graze (grass outside the pasture being so much tastier, of course), still I think he figures we're gonna ride, so maybe he doesn't mind lessons too much.
It is amazing that such a big free noble animal will accept bit and bridle and saddle and rider and school.