tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post6971343621605804366..comments2009-04-02T06:31:24.628-04:00Back in the saddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970627462078105397noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post-46834288494824772352009-04-02T06:31:00.000-04:002009-04-02T06:31:00.000-04:00Oh yes Dea! And then I could relate to YOUR adventures! ;-)<BR/><BR/>Have a great day!<BR/><BR/>MCBack in the saddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970627462078105397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post-12339825106130585972009-04-01T07:35:00.000-04:002009-04-01T07:35:00.000-04:00Hi MC,<BR/><BR/>Thanks alot! <BR/><BR/>I think it's really interesting actually, the compatibility issue.<BR/>I ride in a group of about 10 and we're always switching the horses up, so we've all tried all of them by now. <BR/><BR/>Personally I don't like to ride the really big horses, I find it so much harder to follow their movements. Also, I tend to not gel with the herd leaders - I think because I'm just not 'leader' enough at this time to convince them that they should do as I say. And it starts right in the barn when I enter their stalls. It's like they can tell in a second whether I'm strong enough. Basically, if I don't get their respect in the beginning, then they are going to do half-assed work and no matter what I do, that's the way it is. <BR/>One thing is that I'm not a strong enough rider yet, but the more important (I think) is that I don't feel like I know enough yet to say definitively "This is what we're doing." <BR/>Also, really nervous horses and me don't work because I tend to back off if they show aggression/fear - like I think that they're showing me something is wrong and they must be right, right? Except that I should be then stepping in and showing THEM that everything is alright.<BR/><BR/>OK, maybe I should get a blog, seeing as I apparantly have a lot to say. <BR/><BR/>Always fun to read and relate to your adventures!Deanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post-34133826096725280432009-03-31T22:51:00.000-04:002009-03-31T22:51:00.000-04:00Sorry to hear about Angie and the bf!<BR/><BR/>But, like the other commenter said, you sat the spooks and stayed on...and it was your first ever? That's really good! <BR/><BR/>Some horses and riders just do not go together. Hope the other horse works out better for you...and if it doesn't, well, there are lots of horses out there; you'll find the one that is right for you.casstheamazinghorsehttp://casstheamazinghorse.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post-10949459170098078692009-03-31T15:29:00.000-04:002009-03-31T15:29:00.000-04:00Hi Dea! It’s always nice to hear from you!<BR/><BR/>I had no idea there was such a compatibility issue between horse and rider so this really came as a HUGE surprise. I kind of makes sense though, they’re not motorbikes: they can actually feel us, our strength, our fear, our poise or our anxiety. And I guess I was not a cool rider enough for that mare whom, I have been told, is really attuned to her rider. So after that first spook (and my first ever…) I probably became too nervous for her to remain calm. <BR/><BR/>I think your technique of getting the horse to focus on you is amazing. Next time, I will certainly try that (if I can muster up the confidence!). Thanks for stopping by and do let me know if you ever decide to have your own blog, I would certainly like to read more about you!<BR/><BR/>Cheers!<BR/><BR/>MCBack in the saddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970627462078105397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3144707587213691856.post-8681667354267344462009-03-30T05:59:00.000-04:002009-03-30T05:59:00.000-04:00I'm real sorry to hear about the bf - and the new horsey! <BR/>You're right, sometimes horses and humans just don't click. You should be proud of yourself though, that you sat 3 spooks. Atleast you didn't get off after the 1st one right? <BR/><BR/>I rode a spooky horse last month, and if I had gotten him to halt at any point I would have definitely gotten off him. Strange to say, but now I know that I can sit his spooks and that what he really needs at those times is to be worked!<BR/> At the end of that lesson, he was soft, round and on the bit! Now I ride that horse whenever I can because I know the worst he can do, and the way to prevent it - he just needs to keep his attention on me! So whenever he starts to get looky or cranky, I just ask for a little more. <BR/><BR/>To each her own, but remember to be fair to yourself and focus on the positives. <BR/><BR/>Good luck fiding your match!Deanoreply@blogger.com