Dismounts and demanding respect

E learned a new dismount technique last Thursday - unintentionally. She has just begun cantering on Monte during her English riding lessons and her seat is not very steady yet. As they were coming down the arena something happened and she lost her stirrup leather; it completely came off - which it is supposed to do in a fall. E lost her balance and slipped out of the saddle and off the horse. By the time he had stopped, she was standing next to him with her arms wrapped around his neck. Tears of frustration and fear were beginning to fall as her instructor walked up to her, cheerfully saying, "Congratulations! You just learned to do an emergency dismount at a canter!"

Yeah, but did anyone know how to do CPR to restart her mother's heart?

Anna told E that it really is easier to start learning this skill at a walk, then trot, first. ;-)


Curly has enjoyed the life of pampered pasture pet lately. I haven't ridden him in forever but I hope to change that this weekend. I do take him into the round pen at least twice a week, though, and I make him move his feet while on the lead line every time I move him back into his stall. He is no longer just released back into his run because he has been showing a lack of respect, trying to run over me when we head in and out.

He and I work very well together in the round pen - but I am still very awkward when trying to get him to move on the lead line. Friend T helped out on Thursday by snapping a whip just outside his run when he wouldn't move out around me. Curly really hopped to it whenever that whip was making its popping sound. He's obviously felt the sting of it somewhere before! I think I will need to learn to handle a whip and lunge line at the same time - and soon.

I want it all!

It's so hard on nice days like today to decide what to do - stay home and hang out with the family, doing a few yard chores and playing with the kids, or go out to the barn and hang out with my horse-family?

Ultimately, I decided to stay at home today. But I have to admit that every once in a while I would think, "I could be riding Curly right now!" And heaven knows, I need the practice....but weeds also need to be pulled, laundry needs to be washed and games with the girls need to be played.

Overall, it's been a great day....adding a little horse time would have made it absolutely perfect.