This message is from: "Dave McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'll keep writing about this till I get a deafening request to shut up. I can't help myself. Scroll away.
Yesterday was attempt three. I used a third horse that hadn't done it before, my mare Mari. Part way through I started to think it was criminal of the French to send such a thing without an owner's manual. Here I was, as is my habit, trying to learn something that any sensible person would realize would be way easier to do if learned from someone who already knew how. If the horse knew how, she could help me. If I knew how, I could train her. This was not the way to do it, but it was what I had. I bulldozed a large circle and then backdragged to get the snow smooth. I started out walking, and then did a tentative trot. Being a bit nervous about what was following her, she wanted to go fast. It was obvious to her I didn't know what I was doing, and best to get away. With a little of the frisk worked out of her, she slowed and I was able to do a couple of flawless trots around. I progressed to bigger challenges. We went back, away from the other horses to go into my larger field, where I had plowed the perimeter. Just before the field she did a quick U turn, leaving me in disarray, one ski off, but standing and not letting her go (cardinal sin). Then she danced around making it impossible for me to step on the binding and get going. We walked back to the barn, started over, went back to circles, and concluded in success at that. I decided ski joering is harder to learn than four in hand, which you can at least do sitting down. When I came into the house my first three layers of shirt were soaked in sweat, though I hadn't been aware I'd worked that hard. Version 4.0. Used Mari again, now an experienced horse. I read an article last night in the New Yorker about the training of surgeons. The writer, one himself, says as a rule surgeons have no particular genius or gifts, they just practice a lot till they get it right. Ignoring the implications of people dying along the way, I went back to ski joering with the belief that practice would get me through. It probably will. We started with circles, which went way better, rewarding us with actual pleasure and a boost of confidence. I tried a bit of swinging out to the side and across her path, like crossing the wake water skiing. With this success, I started for the other field. Crossing our driveway she spun on me, catching me not responding quickly enough. I lost a ski and had to step back in. Fortunately my wife was there to hold Mari's head. I got going again, and trotted her slowly. My theory is that with her head bouncing she can't think up mischief as easily, and goes straight. That plan worked about a third of the way around the field, then she veered off into the deep snow. I thought Aha!, now she'll have to work harder. I very quickly realized I have to work exactly equal to her, since I am attached by my arms. I was able to stay standing and moving in the deep snow. Only laziness saved me. I didn't want to have to walk or ground drive her through the heavy going, and made a special effort to stay up. I had muscles screaming in the area of my hips, muscles never used for anything but skiiing. Almost dumped several times, but kept going. We headed back after we got back on the plowed trail. Then did some more circles at a trot and signed off. Going in the deep snow showed me how I got so sweaty yesterday. It's me pulling me around. The horse just happens to be going my way. My big immediate goal is to ski at a canter. I inadvertently did that for a few steps today, and lived to tell. It will only count when I do it intentionally. By now I am learning a few tricks, and Mari is getting accustomed. When she does it right, it gets way easier. My goal is to be ready for a sleigh rally in VT (GMHA) on Feb 2, and to be safe. John Greenall got his equipment tonight, and hopefully he will do it to. Maybe we can do formations, like the Blue Angels. No sj for the next couple days. Camptown Dave
