So I had a lesson last night... Henry had a chip on his shoulder for who knows what reason but we worked through it and he felt really good on the flat.
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| No crazy exercises today, just a horse eating Lattice I guess |
We moved onto jumping and did the X back and forth as a group- trainer made me do some quick/roll back turns after the jump while the others got to go straight.
Then she put up the jumps a little and told me to canter the first vertical #1 (poll with the lattice panel under it). I felt Henry suck back as we approached it and so I closed my leg and put my spur in him- TELLING him to jump... Then felt like he said ok mom BUT at the last second literally as he was picking up his feet to jump he stopped and flew left. I almost stayed on but he kept moving and I was able to land on my feet- jaring my back which now is KILLING me.
Got back on, walked him over to the jump and let him have it (per trainers instructions). There is NO reason to stop Henry. I honestly think he can't see things right in the indoor BUT when I close my leg and tell him to go, he should go.
Make note- I had my one fall for the year on Jan 29th.. I am done till 2014 :)
After that he was good. We jumped a bunch more...
Surprisingly I wasn't scared I was just pissed.
I am pretty sure Andy got the fall on video so I can't wait to see that... everyone said it was an impressive fall and trainer got a good laugh out of it and even complimented my "ass kicking" skills - I am more confident now and it shows.
Off today, lesson tomorrow, trainer ride Friday, lesson Saturday.
Sounds like an eventful lesson I missed.
ReplyDeleteAlso you're welcome for submitting you ;)
DeleteHaha thanks!
DeleteWOW that sounds like a really eventful ride, glad it wasn't too serious and you werent hurt though!x
ReplyDeleteYeah it could have been bad- thankfully I am stronger and a more refined rider then I was a year ago lol!
DeleteOh that sounds dirty! I'm glad it wasn't a bad fall and you were able to get back on and give him his just desserts. Usually when something like that happens to me the fear takes over, but sometimes I think anger is a better emotion!
ReplyDeleteyeah it was super dirty, I was/am NOT happy with him!
DeleteBad boy Henry! But good for you! Now that you know that his little gimmicks don't scare you anymore, getting him through it becomes so much easier, as you can see!
ReplyDeleteyeah I am all over his s**t!
DeleteI'm surprised with the extra spooky whatever going on outside we didn't have more issues. Why does all the weird stuff/ deliveries seem to happen now on Tues nights lol?
ReplyDeleteDude he didn't even flinch at the chaos going on outside but the panel we have jumped a million times before... aye!
DeleteIt's impressive that you landed on your feet! It's too bad your back hurts though. I know that feeling :(
ReplyDeleteYeah i almost didn't fall off but he kept moving so I couldn't get myself back up.
DeleteGlad you are ok! Naughty boy, but at least it only happens once a year ;-)
ReplyDeletehaha yep ONLY once! :)
DeleteWhoops... glad you landed on your feet! And showed him who's boss. ;)
ReplyDeleteyeah i let him have it...
DeleteOh Henry... Glad you weren't hurt. And very cool you were featured on Ammy Hour!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know it's such a great series!
DeleteMad skills for landing on your feet. Looking forward to video :D
ReplyDeleteHope your back feels better!
me too! I want to see it!
Deleteoh can't wait to see the video....
ReplyDeleteget some rest and muscle relaxers!
haha!! hot hot shower has been my bff!
DeleteUh oh. I hope your back starts feeling better. I can't wait to see the video.
ReplyDeleteLoved the piece SprinklerBandits did on you!
Thanks! It was fun to be on her blog and part of the series!
DeleteOh man, sorry to hear it. Bah falling off sucks.
ReplyDeleteyeah no bueno... but i got it out of the way for the year!! :)
DeleteFeel better!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) Mortin has been my bff
DeleteI enjoyed your part in the series :-) i never knew Henry was only 6 years old. Duh me. Lol
ReplyDeleteSorry about your fall/back but good on you for making Henry know that stopping is not an option.
Thanks! Technically by the jockey club he is 7 but his bday isn't still May so I still count him at 6 :)
DeleteYeah the stopping is NOT ok :(
Glad you were ok; sounds like it could've been a nasty fall. (Also glad you were more confident instead of scared away.)
ReplyDeletePerhaps it would be helpful to have just a "for-fun" ride-- no trainers, no super high expectations for acheiving goals or what not. Just you and him having a blast building your relationship and trust in each other under saddle? I find that when Joey and I are having a rough time of it (as you and Henry seem to have been lately), just taking a more relaxed approach to riding seems to go miles for us. You could still jump and stuff, but leave the whip on the sidelines and just have fun? Just a suggestion. :)
Thanks for the suggestion... not really sure Henry and I have been having a rough time? I think anyone who rides competitively will tell you that we strive to be the best ever ride.
DeleteHenry and I do have fun rides, that is what Sunday and Monday are... Henry and I have a great relationship and anyone who rides with us will tell you what a different pair we are then we were a year and a half ago.
I guess if you haven't seen the original videos of Henry, the current stuff may look rough, but he has come a long long way. He is a pretty heavy horse and occasionally needs heavier aids such as a whip/ crop while schooling over jumps etc. i don't think jumping without a means of correcting a habit like stopping would be safe or fun. Hack days are fun days.
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