Anyone who has taken the time to know me knows I’m horse crazy. I wear the horse crazy girl shirts that make everyone laugh (“Cowboy Butts Drive Me Nuts”). I see part of an old fence I wish I had a horse to try & jump it. If you know me you know I’m relentlessly hard on myself & I like people who use that to challenge me but know when they need to get me to lighten up. If you’ve been in a barn with me you know my relentlessness takes on a whole new level. I’m always hoping for that breakthrough lesson. I’m always searching for the best saddle, poor Patti’s caught me in the tack room meticulously inspecting every saddle within my reach twice since the semester started. I’m always asking about temperaments & bad habits. I’ll read whatever book I can get my hands on about training & behaviors. You’ll always catch me “checking myself out” in the mirrors when I pass.
And the most important, I always have my eye out for the perfect horse.
I love Rock but we just haven’t clicked like I did with Doc or April.
You’ve heard of love at first sight. Well for me & my favorite horses, it’s usually love at first ride.

This semester lessons have been particularly frustrating for me. Things haven’t fallen back into place the way I hoped they would. It’s nobody’s fault, it just hasn’t happened. Add in the fact that I’ve had some equipment adjustments & that Johnnie’s been dead set on breaking a habit I’ve had for 10 years. I think you’ve all pretty much guessed that riding lessons this semester, although fun, have been a major test of not only my patience but my drive to succeed as well. I needed a break though for the semester more than I ever have.

Wednesday it happened!

I got their early, of course, to drop of treats for Cody (“Old Faithful”). Patti told me I was the only one riding this week; every rider’s dream, an hour of undivided attention from your instructor. I knew this would most likely be “the day” to make the big leap forward in reaching my semester goals. Usually when you end up having a (unplanned) private lesson you learn some aspect of horsemanship, parts of the horse, grooming, tacking up, etc. This week was no different, however because of “aisle congestion” I only had to bridle on my own. No big deal really, but before I did it I made sure I had all my facts straight. Thankfully Rocky takes a bit easily, making a horse accept a bit isn’t one of my favorite things, but the double nose band was a challenge. Once I got everything straight I got Rock to take his bit, at least I tried, as soon as it got in his mouth he started to cough. My first thought was “here we go again.” the week before I almost slid out of my saddle due to one of the now infamous coughing episodes. Now picture me 4’11” less than 100 lbs trying to bridle a horse before he coughs again sending, which would send me to the ground (worst case). Not a nice picture is it?

It turns out Rocky has allergies, which he is getting shots for. What’s he allergic to? I don’t have a clue. My mom’s having fun guessing though, laughing harder with each guess. Trees? Air? Grass? Hay? She even asked if he’d like a Claritin. *eye roll*

My lesson went great. It was the breakthrough lesson I was waiting for & needed! Johnnie agreed with me that the saddle I’ve been using is too big, so hopefully I’ll get a different saddle next week. I did some work on my seat. I even did a back up just using my seat. Prompting Rob to ask if Rock was “push button.” I couldn’t help but laugh, Rock’s your classic old lesson horse, slowdown and/or stop at every corner. Not anyone’s idea of a push button. I don’t usually like push button ponies but if my horse was one I don’t think I’d mind. I made some great progress towards breaking my nearly impossible to break bad habit. I could’ve have done it without Rob running along next to me though, just incase a large cough sent me so far out of the saddle I couldn’t recover he’d be there to catch me. I ended up recovering my seat fine but that didn’t stop my mom from laughing every time there was coughing to recover from. I guess I looked like the kiddie rodeo version of a bucking bronco.

Everyone has told me they’re really proud & impressed by my progress. I tend to draw an audience, even when I don’t try, I guess I am what Bill said “once an actress….” I could tell Johnnie can’t wait until next week to see what we can work up to, even if she didn’t say anything.

After this week I’m really looking forward to next week’s lesson, even if the chances of having it to myself again are pretty much zero. With a different, smaller, saddle & my stirrups a little shorter I should be good to go. That is, if Rock’s allergies get under control, his allergy shorts aren’t working, at least as well as they should be.

Anyone know of a good vet?