Lessons and Lessons

My lessons started with a phone call to a local riding stable. At the time it was Aspinwall in Lenox MA, but it was owned by someone different than who owns it now.  I was working on a girl scout badge.  After asking the lady a bunch of questions, she asked if I was interested in taking lessons.  I handed the phone to my mom, begging silently for lessons.  I was 7 or 8 at the time.

My first lesson horse was Dr.Cox.  He was the best lesson horse for a younger rider.  I am sure he had been doing his job for years.  He was a thoroughbred, brown, with a small white star.  Looking back, I wish I had started keeping journals back then.  He was my favorite for a long time.

There were other horses at that barn that I liked.  My riding instructor, Denise, ( I wish I could remember her last name, she was the absolute best ever riding instructor) had a few horses that she used for lessons. Esprit, was a white mare. There was Oberon, another thoroughbred.  One of the horses at the barn, his name was Blue, was for more experienced riders.  He was beautiful. I think he was a Morgan, but at the time, I didn't really know.  I did get to ride him eventually, before Denise left the barn to go to another, thankfully I was able to and did follow her to her next barn.

My riding instructor was awesome.  I wish I had kept in touch with her as I got older, and got my own horse and moved.  She taught us everything.  She taught the basics, grooming, picking hooves, tacking up. She also taught us, during lessons, the parts of the tack, parts of the horse. The best was that at a walk or a stand still while on the horse, we had to point or reach to each part that she was naming.  Looking back now, it was all to work on our balance, but at the same time it was fun.

I used to keep track of all those horses on little index cards, what I liked or didn't like about each one. What they looked like, if they were favorited by other riders. 

For the longest time after Dr.Cox retired, Oberon was my favorite.  Some of the other girls didn't like him, they called him lazy, but when I rode him, he was perfect.  Maybe I rode better than they did. Maybe it was because I treated him with the respect due to a wonderful lesson horse.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I had more time when my Mr. Bass was younger.  All the hours I would've put in the saddle.  I am just glad I did find him, and he can spend his last years not worrying about where his meals are coming from, and knowing that he is loved.  I did get a couple rides in on him before he started having problems keeping weight on, and I am thankful for that.  He is definitely my heart horse.

till the next time.. happy trails! 

Inspiration!

I had an opportunity to volunteer at a Youth Mustang Challenge Showcase over the weekend. Those kids are amazing!  To take a wild Mustang and gentle and train it enough in 6 months to do what these kids did is just awesome.  The mustangs were born in captivity but had no human interaction. They were wild.  The club that put on the youth challenge sorted the horses and matched them up with kids aged 8-18 yrs old. Then they did in hand trail and showmanship.  They had a free style competition too.  At the end the kids, actually probably the parents, could decide to sell the Mustang or keep it.

Summer and Sun

I love summer.  I love being able to spend time with MrBass and not have to bundle up like an eskimo.  I think Mr. Bass loves it too.
I try to stop everyday after work to spend time with him and let him graze.  I keep him on a lead and walk him around the yard.  Its very calming for me, and I think for him too.  Although once in a while we do have to remind him who is in charge.  I will have to get a video of him to put up.

Spring is in the air!

Yay Spring!  I am so glad to finally have this warmer weather.  I know Mr. Bass is too.  He's been enjoying his multiple rolls in the ring when I turn him out.  I really do miss riding him. I remember when I first had him at home, I think I was 15 at the time. I had tried getting him to go out on our trails, and he would have none of it.  At the time I didn't want to fight him, so we just did some small circles at the trail entrance till he settled down.  I wish I had gone back to get him on the trails at another time. I just did a lot of ring work with him.
I really need to get some pictures posted here.  He is looking so good for his age. 
OK, so i really will try to update this more. 

Winter Blues

As you can tell I'm not really good at updating this. I will try more.  Mr. Bass is a fuzz ball right now and very itchy.  I know his blanket makes him itchy but with the temperatures being as low as they were a few weeks ago he needed it. Now that the days are in the 40's he doesn't wear it, but he's still itchy.  I will get some more pictures and post them soon. 

I am a member on a horse forum, and while reading some posts about some members riding lessons, it made me reminisce about mine.  I started actual lessons when I was 8 years old.  I have ridden so many different breeds, and horses with unique personalities.  My favorite was a thoroughbred named Oberon.   I heard many of the other students complain about how lazy he was for them.  When I got on him though, he felt like a different horse.  His feet didn't click the cavalettis, he listened and actually seemed pleased to see me when I went to get him ready for my lesson.  There was a pony name Moon, she loved to jump.  If there were jumps in the middle of the ring you had to keep extra outside rein on her, or she'd veer to the inside and go straight for them. She was funny!

When I have some more time I'll add some longer stories about my lessons.

Have a great Friday!