Ride ALL the Horse P2

In addition to worrying about adult things like health insurance and taxes, I've been riding a few friends horsies. I LOVE riding other horses because I've (mostly) exclusively ridden Yankee for the past 4 years and it really makes you look at your skill set. I trained horses for 3 years inbetween high school and college, but had to stop after my injuries. After that I've always just ridden Yankee and I've missed the variety! Sure I've ridden Isis and Pronto a little but not enough to fix my bad habits! Thats what you need naughty ponies for!

Enter, Gideon.

A dollface little fucker of a pony. He is adorable and rude. Pretty and mean. Cute but squirrely. But he is FANCY. When he feels like it.

He's like,

Gotta love ponies ;)

In his defense he's only 3, but he really is a handful. He regularly chomps any human within reach, rears on the ground and in saddle and has a habit for bucking. His owners are exasperated. Since his birth they've worked with him and they don't know where his exceptional pony attitude came from.

Nonetheless, he just needs a firm hand. As soon as you reprimand him and remind the little brat who's boss, he begrudgingly behaves.

One day he will be a nice show pony

I like horses like him. They make you work. Stay on your toes. And they are the most rewarding. Sure. they are awful, but when you get what you ask for, finally, its a good feeling. YOU made that happen.

As soon as I got on he attempted to launch me off. Dead to my leg. Behind the bit. Oh wait here comes a rear. What a little shit. To snap him out of it I halfhalted while giving him a VERY sharp jab with my spurs. The instant he responded and walked forward, praise! If he resisted with a buck or rear I immediately did something. Circle, bring his head up, etc. You CANNOT let them rear or buck. Best way to do this is circle. Can't do much tantruming with your head by your shoulder ;) After 2 times of this little game he figured out, 'man this bitch aint movin'. FINE. I will trot with some resemblance of forward. Some.'

Dawww, baby pony dressage

A mini "pony fit"

 Once you get him "unstuck" he truly is a nice little mover. The key is unsticking that silly face.

Oh he jumps too...

 Gah. I love him. I want him. You will see more of him on this blog.  Might be the next Teddy.



I also rode Miss Isis for Jackie this week since J has an injury that prevents her from jumping too much.

Normally I don't like to jump her since we really have never had a good jumping session together

Jackie says we are too alike; stubborn and anxious-and when we screw up we get mad at ourselves and bitch at anyone who tries to help us.

Jackie always makes her look good

I think that perfectly describes us. Sadly.

Put two of those crazies together, and you have a full on hurricane in the arena.

This time however Jackie told me to literally do nothing. Just sit there, point her at the jumps and sit there. Me being me I just wanted to fiddle fiddle fiddle and not touching the reins (besides baby half halts) was TORTURE.

Trying uber hard to be the softest rider ever

Yankee is a very firm ride. He needs contact, always. And doesn't mind a firm grip with the leg. I prefer riding in that style, I feel as if I am always ready for action, ready to apply any aid at any second.

Riding Isis is a 180* difference. NO contact, leg or hand and two point all the fences. I feel like I'm riding a cloud and it makes me anxious...and she feeds off it.

Yeah, it can be a hot mess.

It wasn't though, and it was awesome! :)

Cruisin

Jackie jumped her just a bit first to make sure she was gucci for me

I love this so much

Then I hopped on

Is this not adorable??

FINALLY getting along!

This one is my fav

Considering her nickname is the "eq ruiner" (spring loaded), I felt I stayed with her fairly well and she was VERY willing. Very good girl! I actually had fun too :)

One more post in this series then we will move on to the AWESOME jump school I had yesterday!

A little sneak...