Let's talk about rules!

I'm not the type of rider to verbally beg a horse to do something. I will give them praise, but I don't tell them "move over" or "come on" or anything like that. I have a few rules, and I enforce them. Severely. I will base these on a horse like Tor (and use her as an example), educated but lazy and likes to test the boundaries. Of course, I have little experience with actual "babies", so I can't comment on those.

1) I have a personal bubble; it goes about four feet all around me. If Tor steps into my bubble, she and I are going to have a big, big problem.

2) Tor does not have a personal bubble. At all. 

3) When I approach Tor, her hind end will move away from me and she will face me. 

4) I don't approach and retreat from Tor. I will approach in whatever direction I want, for how long I want, for whatever I want. That goes along with rule number two.

5) When I'm around, 98% of the time, Tor is "put to work". Walking out to the arena, hosing her off, grooming, whatever... she will focus on the task at hand. She will walk like a lady. She will act like one, too.

6) Tor can't eat grass when we are "working". She just might find a gentle tap in the chin or the lead rope just might "accidentally" pop her in the side. 

7) Standing still for mounting. Not optional.

8) Nothing stronger than a broken slow twist will touch Tor's face. If I ever need a stronger bit, it's time to get help.

And last, but not least, my favorite. (yes, Mugwump taught me this! :D)

1. Cue

2. Cue harder.

3. Make it happen. 

Pretty basic things. I don't ask for much, but I expect alot.

I ultimately would like to work with each horse using only a whisper. I don't believe in whips or chains or funky things like that; I feel that they just mask an even more severe problem. I'm not the best rider in the world, but I'm not the worst; I try to think along with the horse that I'm working with. I strive to be fair with Tor. She seems to like me, so I guess I'm doing right by her.

I have noticed that the more I enforce the rules, the less problems we seem to have. Both in and out of the saddle, things are just "understood", I guess. Like I said, I strive to be fair with her.

However, I will mention that she adores cookies, apples, and wither scratches. She knows ALL about cookies. ;] She is spoiled. I have no problem admitting that!

Not dead, just busy

Tor and I have been doing FANTASTIC in our last few rides. The Big Name Trainer (who actually deserves his Big Name) came through to give a lesson. Now, this guy rarely gives out more than a "Good job" or "That looks pretty"... so it's a really freaking huge deal for him to be "shocked" and "floored" with a ride. Well, he was; and I have never been happier. I take his word for strict law, it is rare for me to take another's word for consideration. What he has to say means the absolute most, and for him to actually say that he was proud of me was a HUGE deal. 

I learned so much in the two hour lesson it's not even funny. He figured out why I couldn't slow my body down at the trot- my irons were two holes long, my leg was loose, legs too far forward, and I couldn't balance. So, I raised them, and it was just awesome. I was so much more balanced and I could actually hold my post so that Tor could stretch out in her trot. Big Name Trainer stated it was "the best riding he had ever seen me do". You want to see a deliriously happy 17 year old, well, that was me. We didn't get around to canter, neither of us saw a point to it for ending on such a good note at the trot. 

We also jumped (something I hate, hate, HATE doing. It scares the hell out of me) some cross rails and a small vertical. Tor was a trooper and never swayed from her job, even when I was all over the place in the beginning. I, once again, had to get my leg underneath me (something I am horrible about coming from eventing) and get it more secure; it hurt like hell, but I did it. I quit folding over so much and started letting her come to me. She was perfect. Really flipping perfect. 

There are probably more details, but it IS 9 am my time during a tropical storm and I'm tired. 

We go to show on the 26/27/28th of September. I think we are going to do a cross rail class or two and then the hunter under saddle (my favorite) and possibly the hack. Not sure if we are showing on Saturday, but for sure on Sunday. Hmmm. We will see!

Fuck chewing gum. Alarm clocks are the reason for the downfall of society!

Day number one: The AT was coming out. And of COURSE I go to sleep all nervous and jittery and "oh my God, oh my God, oh my God". So I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 12:30 in the afternoon. That is a problem.... the AT was on a plane back home! Whaaaaaaaat?! How could this be possible?! Alas, I looked at my cell phone. The damn alarm clock didn't go off. And it was set at 6:30 am so I could be well fed, hydrated, and ready for a lesson by 8:30. Talk about a Pissed Off Youth Rider. Oh, I was furious. Beyond. Not only was I pissed, I felt horrible for letting people down. 

Note to self: invest in actual alarm clock. 

Now, where can I get one of those?

Day number two: Had to be at work by 10:30. Hahah. Funny. I wonder why Sonic was calling me at 11:15 and I answer the phone with the classic "why the HELL are you calling me when I'm dead asleep" "Hello!?". I love how my manager was like "Uh... just checking to see you were alive. It's 11:15..." Me: "Shit, shit, shit!! I'll be there in 15 minutes!" Of course I get dressed at hyper speed in two minutes and I'm out the door. Of COURSE I can't find my car. Yes, that's right. I had been awake for no more than three minutes when I walked outside to get in my car only to find that it was not in it's Usual Parking Spot. In a moment of sheer terror, I run back up the driveway. Alas, my car! I parked it in the garage the night before... I need to invest in some Rockstar. Really. I do. So I sped off to work for the day. End of story.

I had this amazing plan to get Something Accomplished on the two horses, but no one was there... so I decided that some wither scratches were in order. The 3 yo was deliriously happy to see me. Tor... not so much. She is not all that affectionate unless she wants to be. 

Riding will resume tomorrow evening. The said 13 yo rider (who's horse just came yesterday, more about him later!) and I are going to ride our AQHA horses for an evening ride. The four of us will get Something Accomplished. I just know it! Oklahoma 2009 is looking to be much closer in reach. =]