Bareback practise

I rode both days last weekend - both bareback at home. Garbo was not very impressed with my attempts to stay on at trot - because I am 'in readiness' to stop him after going into trot - I lean forward a little (giddyup just a little bit) and he stops. He's such a good horse - he's really only looking out for me. This is him (above) thinking get me outta this round pen!

So off we went  - check out the ears and the expression difference.

The following day my friend came over and helped me - she led Garbo at trot while I concentrated on sitting back, thumb under bum, and tried to move my hips with him. I have set myself the goal to be able to ride Garbo bareback in trot - because I figure then I'll be able to ride any horse bareback at trot. Canter will be easy. It's the transition back to trot that will be the tricky part. Hence concentrating on trot.

Next it was Maraschinos turn - and we achieved alot! Using the carrot stick and string to play friendly game over him while at walk and trot - woohoo - big step forward! This then really will help him stop over-reacting to me lifting the carrot stick - think I need the bell on it again though!

This is him waiting patiently - ground tied, while I set up the round pen.

Then we started on  - lets try jumping! He doesn't yet realise his legs are very long and he could jump out of the round pen at standstill if he really wanted to!

As you can see we have been having some beautiful Autumn weather.

Maraschino having a think!

The boys were grazing in the side paddock and it had my haylage bales in there stacked up. I saw them back in the track looking guilty and wondered why - then I saw - two of the bales had been rolled out (about 20ft) and bitten open with two big chunks (one from each - wonder who the culprits were!) out of the top. No spare plastic to be seen! So I spent the next few days watching them like hawks and was relieved to find munged up plastic in poos for two days. Think it was Maraschino doing the opening - and Garbo would have kicked him off to eat the haylage after opening.

Anyway - since then - the opened bale has been inside and this is Garbo saying PLEEEEEEASE can I have some?

Bareback ride in the sun

I took these photos a week ago - decided to take Garbo up the road, by myself. Quite a big thing for me. The last time we rode bareback up there alone he got spooked by a dog and I fell off. Mind you I had no bareback pad. That was a year ago.

He was really keen to walk around the place so we did a tour of the front yard - stopping in at the office and saying hi to Tracey.
Then we jumped up the steep bank to avoid the stones and then out the gate and up the road. Keeping in mind my new rule I was really calm.

The dogs used to appear from behind those palm trees on the right hand side. But this time we went past the neighbours new geese, hens and ducks - which ha hadn't seen before - and he didn't bat an eyelid.

We got to the sheep and the farmers dogs (many) all started barking so I got off.... then I led him for a bit and then I got on from the fence again - he was so good and pushed up against the fence so I cold get on.

We mooched around for a bit and then headed back... it was a gorgeous day and you can see our view (that's our barn).
And the house... and the rest of the view - even better from horseback!

Maraschino was calling out - if you look closely to the right of the photo below, cloe to the house you can see him -he had spotted us.

What a great ride. And a big accomplishment for me.

Third ride and I rode him!

Michelle came up again today and she noticed Maraschino took less to get focussed on the ground (only a few minutes) and also he had more rhythm. So after a small play in the round pen she hopped on, then off then on again - and I got on Garbo bareback too!

This way we 'led' Maraschino - first round the round pen, then round the middle paddock.

It was so much fun. We had little stops for grass and a couple of times (while Garbo was eating)

Michelle rode Maraschino away and then trotted back to us. I even have one on video!

Then I got on!

How cool is that - third ride for him.

I hopped on and Michelle led him - not with the reins just by walking at liberty. Then we had a little go going off by ourself, and then I had a little trot! I just smiled with all four cheeks, Michelle trotted on the ground and off we went. OH MY GOODNESS I can sit bareback to his trot - it's so much less bouncy than Garbo's. Yay!

He is so soft - he follows a focus, and sticks to it! I am so pleased. What a dude is all I can say.

I had goosebumps after the trot (and it was 29 degrees and 70% humidity!).

*Big Smile*

A friend recently said when she heard I was going to start him soon - "Oh you have to ride them out - don't hold them back" - but Michelle and I discussed this at length and basically - why? Why can't it be calm like this and just take one step at a time and do exactly how you would do on the ground online. One step at a time till they have confidence, then the next step.