This message is from: "Melinda Schumacher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi, I'm an advanced beginner rider and SNF Mirakel, a coming 9 yr old mare, is my first horse. I got her last March, but haven't ridden much over the past 10 months because of saddle-fitting issues and then my health issues. In the meantime she has had about 7 months of weekly training sessions, usually with me and our trainer (natural horsemanship emphasis) or just the trainer alone when I was laid up with back pain. Finally all came together this past week and I began riding her on my own. As an inexperienced rider....something was bound to happen....and it did. I learned that I need to tighten the girth after I've ridden awhile (evidently the equipedic pad squishes down even more after I've been in the saddle), after I found myself inexplicably falling off as we were trotting and made a sharp left turn to avoid colliding with another horse and rider. I couldn't figure out why I was falling until I managed to get up and found the saddle at "4:00" (instead of on top of the horse at "12:00"). Major ouch and major disappointment, as I couldn't ride anymore for the rest of the week. But what made me so happy about the experience was the way Mirakel reacted to my fall. She stopped immediately and stood perfectly perfectly still (she's somewhat of a dancer in the cross-ties, and as an alpha mare, likes to boss me around in her stall like I'm her foal), keeping watch over me. She didn't even lift a hoof as other riders came over to check on me. She ground-tied herself, far better than I was ever able to do! A younger girl then rode her for me, as I hobbled over to the wall to watch. After the workout, I led Mirakel back to her stall, creeping along at geezer speed....Mirakel, who started out last spring racing ahead of me when on the leadline, now walked very very slowly, matching her speed to mine. I was so impressed and so pleased with her respectful and considerate behavior toward me. Now I really appreciate the opportunity I have had for extended groundwork and bonding with her. I like hearing about all of your horse stories too. sincerely, Melinda near Columbus OH, with our first light dusting of snow for this winter. On 1/19/07, Teressa Kandianis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This message is from: "Teressa Kandianis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > AMEN. Me and my little mare Nina after starting off green together have > developed separate but not equal achievement of goals. I've been held > back > a few grades and she's been skipping one every now and then. When my > coach > and trainer rides her, she is soooo good - on the bit, great lateral > moves, > extension, changes - and is beautiful. When I ride, IF I get my aides > correct, then I get the correct response...she's training me. Teressa from rainy Ferndale, WA (better than the snow) > " her pre-purchase exam for a new horse. I watched the trainer ride, and > it was amazing. The horse was collected and in a beautiful frame, lovely > head and neck position. Smooth transitions, moved easily into > an extended > trot, laterals, etc.. Looked like a perfect horse. Then my friend got > on; > looked like a different horse!! Just really hit home for me that the > genesis of most issues with my beloved pony are probably ME!!" The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: > http://tinyurl.com/rcepw > > > -- Coaching with Melinda Schumacher, MD Personal Empowerment through Creative Expression and Equine Experiential Learning "You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck." ~Jalal-Uddin Rumi "As she knotted the reins and took her stand, the horse's soul came into her hand, and up from the mouth that held the steel came an innermost word, half thought, half feel."~paraphrased, John Masefield Fly Without Wings www.flywithoutwings.net Gestalt Practitioner www.gestaltcleveland.org The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
