Along for the ride:

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Catching Air

No Halloween costumes at the barn, on Sunday, but I did ditch a huge bag of leftover candy in the tack-room, for all to share.
Chief and I jumped this weekend. Our first real jump. We've previously worked over poles on the ground and then progressed to crossed poles. Today we had crossed poles going in, a half dozen strides, and then a small vertical. As we picked up our canter and rounded the end of the arena (both of which are recent accomplishments) I could tell that Chief had noticed something new and then I felt him decide that he could do this.

I've always worked horses on the lunge first, so that they became familiar with hopping over poles. This is not my horse, nor my establishment, and they don't seem to use that educational building block. Either way, a rider can never be sure exactly what an inexperienced horse is going to do when faced with an obstacle. A horse can choose a sudden halt; to look at the thing in its path; sometimes followed by the "Rocket Vertical Lift-off" approach, to get over it from a standstill. There's the "OMG, how Scary is that?" approach, with evasive maneuvers to right or left, before even getting to the poles, and there's the "Hippo-jump" of a horse who is willing but who doesn't usually have all four feet lifted of the ground at once.
The rider has to roll the dice and decide to sit tight in the saddle, to ride out any change of direction, or to be more forward to follow the momentum. I admit to being a defensive rider and I didn't want to go "out the front door" if Chief refused or dodged so I sat tight.
My good-natured horse did his best "Hippo-Jump", with a lot of upward energy. I caught significant air between myself and the saddle and, at one stage my finger-tips were at the very end-buckle of the reins. Luckily, Chief is a sizable target for a landing area and we managed to reunite on the way down, and stay together.
The photo above is of our second attempt. I committed to the more forward position and Chief had more of an idea what was expected. I'm so proud of him.

Monday morning, I took my toe to the doctor. It had been somewhat sore since I stubbed it last week and I'd noticed that it was swollen and an angry red. They said I had an elevated temperature and sent me over to the outpatient surgery to have the ingrown toenail removed. I'm not sure exactly what they did. I'll see when I take the bandage off later today. I don't watch myself being sliced and diced. I don't need to have those images imprinted on my inner eye, thank you.
I did fashion a boot so that I could still walk my latest foster dogs.
Max and Rany are brothers who lost their home to foreclosure. Their owner had kept them in his back yard, without ever taking them out. They have a lot to learn about the outside world. They take up almost all of the floor in my little office and are a furry whirlpool in the back seat of my car.

27 comments:

  1. I am not afraid of many things but horses are so scary. It is there ability to do the opposite of what you expect them to do that frightens me.

    Now that is the fanciest boot I have seen in a long time.

    Poor dogs. I am glad you have them now.

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    1. Birdie, Once you get to know them, you can read a lot from horses' body language. That unspoken communication is what I love.

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  2. My youngest daughter is a keen rider, as you know. She too loves the thrill of catching air in the early morn, over summer meadows and lofty hedges. Me? my damn legs dangle far too low and horses hate me for it.

    I'm pleased you are happy dear lady, long may it continue.

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    1. Chef, as long as your not cooking any of my favorite creatures...

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    2. Rest assured dear lady, not for at least a month or more!

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  3. Congratulations to you both. That would have scared me shitless.

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    1. Wally, I am not fearless, by any means, but sometimes "faking it until you make it" really works.

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  4. It is that communication...with some horses it comes almost straight away, with others it takes longer.
    I remember qualifying a huinter straight from Ireland which had the technique of changing legs on top of a bank....only it was a hedge.

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  5. Helen, banking is a weird experience (we had them in Cornwall). I can't imagine banking a hedge :o

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  6. Looking good in the photo. Seems that Chief figured out how to jump with a lot less effort. Makes it much easier to ride than the airborne version. *G* Good job.

    That boot of yours seems to have solved the problem nicely. Hope your toe heals quickly so you can get back into riding boots and spend some more time in and out of that saddle.

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    1. Jean, I was able to squeeze my foot into a real boot this morning. If not, I had planned to ride bareback again.

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  7. Chief looks rather huge so I bet the Hippo Jump must have been pretty airborne indeed!
    Glad you reunited :)
    Hope your toe heals quickly, there are plans for more jumping next year ;)

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    1. Wiola, Chief is definitely a "sturdy cob". I was lucky to land back in the saddle, for sure:) The school horses are having their teeth floated soon. I can't wait to see how he rides after that. He's already a good boy but his teeth are sharp. I'm sure that will make a difference.
      I'm ready to book a trip to ride with you in England. Tickets are cheap in March and it's my birthday month. Keep me posted on your plan please.

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  8. An ingrown toenail is one of the most painful things in the world!
    And what lovely, shiny coats the dogs have!

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  9. Maria, It's a nail I lost completely, back in March. It's growing back in and dug itself in:( The dogs were total ruffians, when I picked them up, with clumps and knots and pounds of old undercoat. The groomers did an amazing job. I actually returned to tell them how pleased I was. The chain is called Bow Wow Meow. Kudos to them.

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  10. the two of you seem to be having a lot of fun on the jump, although it looks scary to me. The dogs are wonderful

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  11. Pixie, riding is a great exercise in mind over matter. There are always "what if's" but you won't get anywhere if you don't commit to what you're trying to accomplish. When it all comes together correctly, it's amazing!

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  12. SOmetimes I'm tempted to give Flurry a "pop" but I always chicken out...
    Well impressed with you for jumping happily!

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    1. Tails, why did your comment only pop up now, days later? If the prior jump photo ever gets out, you'll see the "how not to do it" version:0 Hence the title of the post.

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  13. Looking good over the jump. Chief seems like a nice horse. I haven't jumped since I had my knee replacement and I really miss it. It was one of my favorite parts of riding. I may do it again one of these days if the right horse and opportunity present itself.

    Ouch! on the toe, but love the makeshift boot. Very fashionable.

    I'll bet the dogs are happy to be clean, brushed and with you. They are beautiful.

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    1. Grey Horse, I never had jumping lessons. I had a pony and I tagged along with the hunt. A lot of eyes closed, hang on to the mane and pray....

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  14. Hope your tow is feeling better. FECK TOE I mean toe, I can't type any more... anyway I've nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Pop over to http://tailsfromprovence.com/2013/11/15/sunshine-award/ to see what it's all about.
    Martine

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    1. tails, both my tow and toe are improving, thank you.

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  15. Toe does not look fun. I don't ever watch anymore either - and I always request the largest dose of whatever they're giving so i don't remember.

    How fun to ride along with you. What guts you have - horse jumping. And the dogs. Beautiful.

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    1. Roadtripper, it's all fake it 'til you make it, and eventually, we do:)

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  16. Ooh, sounds painful; do rest well! Max and Rany are beautiful :)

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  17. Bikbik, thanks for stopping by. I visited your blog but couldn't work out how to sign on to follow. Blogging is getting harder, not easier.

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