Lesson #1

I actually consider today my true first lesson. This was the first time I've ever paid someone to instruct me in horseback riding, anyway. And my family now thinks I'm nuts. Okay, they already thought that...but this evening I just reinforced that perception. ;) I've been a smiling fool ever since I got back from the barn. I just loved riding my horse and learning how to work with her. I can't wait until my next lesson!

This afternoon, we spent much of the time going in small circles, working on achieving an even pace at the walk. And then she introduced the trot - and I wasn't scared! My goal was to get Zoe to trot for a few steps (her slow, smooth trot) and then to have her transition immediately to a nice walk. If she rushed, I either circled her and asked her to do the whole exercise again or made her stop and start up again. And if she took a step after asking for the halt - well, we just kept doing all of this again and again and again......you get the picture. :)

We also worked on asking Zoe to give her head rather than keeping it high in the air like she wants (like most Arabians want, actually!). I know this is something she can do - I'll just have to remind her of her long lost skills.

So I learned that I have a tendency to lean forward and to hold tension in my shoulders. To be sitting up straight in the saddle I have to lean back so far I feel like I'm actually leaning back. Strange feeling, actually. I also forget to keep my thumbs up while turning and move them too far out from the horse. My foot position was never critiqued, but I could tell that I spent the majority of the lesson with my toes pointed down. I'm sure this is something I'll eventually have to work on but my instructor thankfully didn't choose to focus on feet as well as hands....I don't think I could have done it all! There's just so much to remember!

By the end of the lesson, my legs were noticeably tired and I could barely swing my leg over the cantle to dismount. I look forward to the day when I can ride for an hour and still look graceful coming out of the saddle.