Trying to unseat me

Yesterday we were able to get back in the saddle again after the Thanksgiving holidays. I had missed riding & was anxious to get back to it. Bella & I are getting better & better. I had a lot of fun with her. I'm learning I have to keep both my legs on her all the time or she will run out of whatever leg is not there. Also with my hands I have to ride with a tighter rein or Bells will run out of whatever side I'm not paying attention to.

I am finally getting to a point where I can get a circle out of Bells & a pretty good one, at the walk anyway. trotting to the left is Bellas bad side & she cuts into the circle. We still have a lot of work on that one but her right side is almost perfect!

Nina was out riding Blonde for 30 minutes then she was switching to Bacardi for 30. When Nina went in to switch horses, Bella pitched herself a little fit. She kept jerking the reins trying to unseat me! She is so tempermental that one is! ha I got off for a  second & let Nina trot & canter her a little & she straightened up some. I don't know why she didn't try to unseat Nina, guess I'm just the lucky one. Anyway, when I was going to remount, Bella wouln't stan still even though Nina was holding her.  She is so bad about that! I'm really going to have to work on her standing still when someone is trying to mount.

I finally was able to get back on & we did another circle at the trot & it wasn't too bad. While we were out, I worked with Hayden on a few problem areas he is having. I hate the way he rides Popcorn. He makes aoo the traditional mistakes, but he has been riding now for two years, he should be improving his position and use of aids. He is constantly pulling in Pops mouth instead of using his legs or seat. If we are to move forward he needs to practice these things. He is getting better, I see improvement in his trot almost every time we go out.

I'm so sore from Jazz class, spin, and riding that I think I will take today off. I hate it because it is such a beautiful day but I think my legs would revolt if I even tried to use them much. I will of course streatch later, as much as I can & take a little walk. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to ride again, can't wait!

Sonny mellowing in his older age

Sonny has always been the top dog, alpha horse, leader of the pack, so to speak. He never has spent much time "hanging" with the other horses under his care.

The last few days  Sonny has been playing  with Bacardi. It is just too cute to watch them biting & rubbing on each other. I'm so happy to think that he is enjoying his time in retirement and that he is letting his hair down.

Sonny looks like he is feeling better & I have been thinking that I might let Hayden walk him around bareback a little in the arena. Probably would have done that today if Hayden hadn't been caught STEALING again! Man o Man.

Circles

I have been enjoying riding Bella so much. I love being back in the saddle. Nina & I go out to ride most days. I have been sore, more sore, can't ride sore, back to sore, but it is a good sore right! ha

Bella & I are trotting now, which is good. I'm having a little trouble keeping her on a circle. Bella obviously hates doing circles and I'm going to have to convince her that it really isn't that bad ha1

Riding Bella is sooo different than Sonny. Son made me look good & with Bella I actually have to ride. I have learned that you really have to hold her head with not only your hands but your legs as well.

Even though I hate getting in the horses mouth, If you want Bella to stop you have to get in there a little.

She is a stubborn thing but I love her & I have so much fun riding her. It is terrific to be riding again & enjoying it.

I also think I have Sonny's seal of approval. He does come to the arena's edge sometimes to watch, but I think he is so thrilled that it is Bella & not him. He has earned his retirement.

Bella is Mad

Bella was mad

Riding today was kinda a challenge. Bella was mad. I think she isn't use to being ridden two days in a week much less three in a row. She was probably a little sore as well, poor thing. She didn't want me to get on her. She kept moving away from the mounting block & trying to bite me, haha. I had Nina get on her twice to try to help me work out the kinks & just to make sure she wasn't going to buck me off, Better to buck Nina! ha But I did eventually get up & ride around a little on her. I really wanted to trot some but not today, perhaps tomorrow!

It was so much fun riding her, even with her acting up a little. I can hardly wait to ride her again tomorrow. Hopefully she will be over her temper-tantrum.

Foxy did really well and Nina rode Blondie as well. Blondie I think was feeling a little left out and needed some TLC so we gave her some. She did fantastic, we set up some trot poles for her, even though she doesn't like to jump -- at all, and she did great.

Patrick came out again, but didn't ride again. He helped Hayden on Popcorn. They did a little lounge line work to help Hayden with this posting & I think that went very well.

Looking forward to another day in the saddle tomorrow!

It's Bella time!

Nina and I have made a wager. We will do the same dressage test in the next horse show & I will beat the pants off her! ha So this means I actually have to ride some. I am riding Bella & loving it. Today was the second day this week that I have gotten on Bella which is a lot for me.

Nina has a horse she is "training" named Foxy. Foxy is a great horse and Nina has to ride her at least 5 - 6 times a week. I was hoping this would jump-start our riding program here at the Ranch and to a great extent it has, hers and Hayden's. Hayden rides Popcorn while Nina rides Foxy most of the evenings.

Patrick came out today and even though he didn't ride Bacardi as I had hoped, he gave Bella & I a lesson which was totally fun. I thought I would be nervous but I really wasn't. I have seen other people and the kids ride Bella so much, that I know she isn't going to kill me. I even trotted like two or three steps with her!

Riding horses hasn't been this fun in a long time. I really miss my trusted ole steed, Sonny, who I must say, stands near the arena watching me ride. He was a wonderful horse & I usually feel guilty riding Bella with him watching on.

A few weeks ago, I bought some new riding pants, gloves, and a headband for my bridle, all in the hopes it would get me back in the saddle. I'm back now & I'm enjoying myself. Can't wait until tomorrow & we can ride again!