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This morning I had a big ranty post in my head about all the diet ads (DIE SPECIAL K DIE) and pressures to have the Right Body, plus RAAAAGE at this article about bikini bodies (srsly do NOT read unless you want to start screaming)... but then I had a pretty good day so, sod ranting ;p
Found out I passed stage 1 of the BHS horse owner's course with 95.5%! Hurrah! Stage 2 starts Monday and I suspect isn't quite as 'What colour is that horsie?' as stage 1 ;p
Then 2nd lesson with Lucy Adams, top local dressage lady. Also a very good and onlyabitterrifying instructor. Wasn't sure Ziggy would be up to it because she went off to her first hunt in 2 years on Tuesday and by all accounts had a blast charging all over the place, but it turned out she was just fine and I was the one who couldn't keep up.
Details mainly for my own benefit under the cut. And a pic, because... pretty horsie (pretty horsie is a GREY horsie. A fleabitten grey to be precise, all her lovely dapples have gone :/)
First lesson last week was half an hour and all about Forwardness and Impulsion (ie making lazy beast MOVE when asked). Also my lack of contact and leaning to the left. Orders for the week were to put stirrups up a hole (back to original length after being told by another instructor to put them down) for balance, practice leg yield, bending and Keep Contact.
Today, Ziggy was much more responsive and forward going from the start, possibly due to the scary lady with the big whip in the middle ;p Transitions were sharper and we even managed to vary the pace in trot. Have to remember to keep Z straight down long sides and keep trot at a pace where it can be varied (ie not too fast). Need to work more on transition and using stick with leg from the start, til she listens. Have to grade every transition 1-5 where 5 = just had to think about it and she goes (hah) and work towards getting at least 3 or 4 every time.
Leg yielding - better today, on both reins, tho still v grumpy about it, she did do it.
Canter transitions - have to be sharper, trot has to be slow enough so canter is faster, not rushed into. Have to keep hold of outside rein so she doesn't throw her head round to inside when asked. Keep straight! Get a good pace not plodding.
Trotting poles - ziggy rocks. Adjusted her stride to suit and flew over perfectly. But not straight, which is my fault ;p So Work on that.
Then. oh god. Jumping. Well jumping position because I am so out of practice I could barely manage it in HALT so no jumping for me (thankfully...). Didn't even get to canter poles cos it took the rest of the lesson to get balance in trot! Toes at 10 to 2, CALF against horse, not knees in, hands on neck for balance until legs are stronger (poor poor legs), but NOT too far up, so she can't pull me forward. MUCH PRACTICE needed to strengthen thighs and get knees and ankles flexible again. More weight into right stirrup to counteract lean to left (stupid wonky pelvis ;p). Am going to be so stiff tomorrow.
Also have to practice getting stirrups back without holding leathers. Every day til I can do i it properly. Got a right telling off for that ;p
Finally, out of the saddle, use treats to encourage z. to bend, particularly to right as she is much stiffer that way. And get some joint supplement if she's to hunt more.
All that in a hour. I was *shattered*. Ziggy barely broke a sweat, mostly thanks to new full hunter clip...
and given she was still stiff from hunting and travelling (not to mention the nasty damage she has done to herself in the Tail Bandage Area), she did brilliantly. I just have to get fit enough to keep up ;p
Now, a hot bath to soothe achy legs. And possibly cider.
Found out I passed stage 1 of the BHS horse owner's course with 95.5%! Hurrah! Stage 2 starts Monday and I suspect isn't quite as 'What colour is that horsie?' as stage 1 ;p
Then 2nd lesson with Lucy Adams, top local dressage lady. Also a very good and onlyabitterrifying instructor. Wasn't sure Ziggy would be up to it because she went off to her first hunt in 2 years on Tuesday and by all accounts had a blast charging all over the place, but it turned out she was just fine and I was the one who couldn't keep up.
Details mainly for my own benefit under the cut. And a pic, because... pretty horsie (pretty horsie is a GREY horsie. A fleabitten grey to be precise, all her lovely dapples have gone :/)
First lesson last week was half an hour and all about Forwardness and Impulsion (ie making lazy beast MOVE when asked). Also my lack of contact and leaning to the left. Orders for the week were to put stirrups up a hole (back to original length after being told by another instructor to put them down) for balance, practice leg yield, bending and Keep Contact.
Today, Ziggy was much more responsive and forward going from the start, possibly due to the scary lady with the big whip in the middle ;p Transitions were sharper and we even managed to vary the pace in trot. Have to remember to keep Z straight down long sides and keep trot at a pace where it can be varied (ie not too fast). Need to work more on transition and using stick with leg from the start, til she listens. Have to grade every transition 1-5 where 5 = just had to think about it and she goes (hah) and work towards getting at least 3 or 4 every time.
Leg yielding - better today, on both reins, tho still v grumpy about it, she did do it.
Canter transitions - have to be sharper, trot has to be slow enough so canter is faster, not rushed into. Have to keep hold of outside rein so she doesn't throw her head round to inside when asked. Keep straight! Get a good pace not plodding.
Trotting poles - ziggy rocks. Adjusted her stride to suit and flew over perfectly. But not straight, which is my fault ;p So Work on that.
Then. oh god. Jumping. Well jumping position because I am so out of practice I could barely manage it in HALT so no jumping for me (thankfully...). Didn't even get to canter poles cos it took the rest of the lesson to get balance in trot! Toes at 10 to 2, CALF against horse, not knees in, hands on neck for balance until legs are stronger (poor poor legs), but NOT too far up, so she can't pull me forward. MUCH PRACTICE needed to strengthen thighs and get knees and ankles flexible again. More weight into right stirrup to counteract lean to left (stupid wonky pelvis ;p). Am going to be so stiff tomorrow.
Also have to practice getting stirrups back without holding leathers. Every day til I can do i it properly. Got a right telling off for that ;p
Finally, out of the saddle, use treats to encourage z. to bend, particularly to right as she is much stiffer that way. And get some joint supplement if she's to hunt more.
All that in a hour. I was *shattered*. Ziggy barely broke a sweat, mostly thanks to new full hunter clip...
and given she was still stiff from hunting and travelling (not to mention the nasty damage she has done to herself in the Tail Bandage Area), she did brilliantly. I just have to get fit enough to keep up ;p
Now, a hot bath to soothe achy legs. And possibly cider.
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p.s. not clicking link to raaaaage link.
p.p.s. approve cider plan. poss. hot spiced cider?
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ps it is so full of STUPID and mindboggling awfulness, clicking would probably be bad
pps have cold cider in fridge, so will go with that ;p
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We should be indulging ourselves in January, not punishing ourselves.
Having said that, I'm sick of Christmas pudding for breakfast now.
Do you know any people in BHS? I think I told you my uncle works there. I think he's the editor of the magazine.
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More indulgence, that's the way, it's cold and miserable out there in Jan, why make it worse?
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