Monday, December 7, 2009

Alert the media! I took a riding lesson

Disclaimer: Photo right is not me or Harv! Judging from comments there
has been some confusion...

During the week or so when Riley was on turnout, it was such a treat to watch him cavort around. It reminded me of something that had slipped my mind -- Horses are fun, remember? While the turnout is postponed for now, I know now that Riley is going to be fine. Riley is going to be fine, and I can get back to enjoying my horses instead of worrying about them. To that end, I arranged to take a riding lesson on Harv.

Never mind that I'm riding him about twice a week.

Never mind that it's hard to make time in my schedule.

Never mind that Harv is well on his way to age 23.

I set up a lesson time with the dressage trainer at the barn.

Lesson prep
The night before the lesson, Harv got steam-cleaned with towels I'd soaked in hot-hot water and rung out. Then he was wrapped in polar fleece ears to tail while I pulled his mane, de-mudded his hooves, and banged his tail. My tack got a thorough cleaning, and I pulled his show bridle and my Petrie boots out of mothballs.

That morning there wasn't much to do but brush Harv off, tack him up, and head out to the indoor arena. I was pleased to see that it had just been dragged and watered. We walked on a long rein. As we went by the arena mirror, I noted with satisfaction that Harv -- actually both of us -- looked mahhhhvelous. We were all set! And about then I heard the sound of a car approaching. The lesson was about to begin.

To be continued


15 comments:

  1. The best instruction I received this year and the only I remind my self of most often is -Be connected to the horses back end.
    It helps me adjust my position and ride my horse better
    KCA

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  2. Is that Harvey in the photo? If so, 23 is the new 10! Really if that is him at 23, he looks spectacular.

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  3. Nope -- although Harv looks great for 23(ish) he is not a young swedish warmblood :-). This is a stock photo of a riding school in Sweden. My next post will have a picture of Harv...

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  4. Hahah, and I was just about to say, "Where is your helmet!!!?" Can't wait to see how it went. Am making mental note to have you come to my house and do all that cleaning before a lesson. My horse is lucky that I brush him!

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  5. Good for you (and Harv too!). Got a mental picture of Harv looking like a ginormous sheep in his fleece - gave me the giggles :o) Can't wait to hear how it went.

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  6. Can't wait to read more about your lesson! By the way, this picture is from a dressage clinic that I was watching last year. It's so great to be reminded of it in such an unusual way. :)

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  7. Surely that was good therapy getting read for your lesson. Glad you got to do it!

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  8. Oooh, riding lessons are fun. Some day, I'll take them again too.

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  9. You two do look WONDERFUL! Such a pretty boy. Can't wait to read how it went.

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  10. Leaving us hanging again? Looking forward to the lesson report.

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  11. Knew that wasn't you - b/c you would have yr helmet on right? ;)
    Looking forward to details.
    ~DD

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  12. knew that wasn't you b/c you would be wearing a helmet, right? ;)
    Looking forward to details!
    ~DD

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  13. Cruel to leave us hanging like that!!

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  14. I suspect I will be taking a lesson a week for the next few years! Hope your lesson is fun. I know I enjoy mine.

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  15. Hope you had a great lesson! I'm glad you got a chance to hang with Harv - even if he is 23! What fun...

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