Monday, January 9, 2012

Follow up from the disaster ride.

I have not ridden again since.  His hooves are getting quite long and I thought I would be better off waiting until the farrier came out today before I rode again.  But in mulling over it all and also going back to my posts from last year about this time and reading about my rides they sound very similar.  Now I am not ruling out pain but I know the way I describe a situation and the way it feels on his back can really get misconstrued.  As Steady's Mama and his only rider my instincts say it is just who he is.  He is the kind of horse that cannot go 2 weeks without someone on his back.  He does not handle cold weather and little work well at all.  He is super athletic and I believe it is just the down side to that athletisism.  I feel like from now until late spring I am going to feel like I am just doing damage control any time I get on his back.  Just like I felt last year.  The biggest difference from this year to last year is that now I am demanding correct work and that is just adding fuel to his already hot fire.  And then you add to the fact that Steady when he is not in the best shape, his back causes him issues.  It is like a snowball effect and there is not alot I can do to control these circumstances.  I think my focus now needs to be more one how am I going to handle it. 

I do not have the entire answer right now.  Nor could I considering the weather has the biggest impact on the whole situation.  What I know I can do is take it one day at a time.  I need to come to grips with the fact that I may not be able to ride for weeks at a time and I cannot get down on myself for that.  I need to come up with a plan on how I handle coming back from the long breaks.  But I do feel I need to resign myself to the idea that no real training will happen until late spring.  That is the toughest for a overly driven person but it is part of it so I may as well accept it.

I hope to take those energies and focus them more on the mental side of riding and the physical fitness side of it for me.  I need to read.  I dislike reading but I do enjoy topics I love.  My problem is I hate to pay the money for books but I cannot find any of the books I want to read as ebooks or in libraries.  So if any of you know of any good books that are ebooks let me know.  I also plan to watch clinic videos.  I am thinking also maybe a lesson or two on a different horse.  Then I can work on myself and be a better rider come time that Steady is halfway sane again.  So this will most likely be an ongoing post about how I am learning to handle a horse like Steady through the winter months.

7 comments:

  1. Online videos are great and very numerous. Have you checked out used books on Amazon? Sometimes you can get some really good deal that way, eBay as well. Also check Google Books if you haven't yet -- I found a FANTASTIC textbook on lamenesses on there that is simply fascinating and searchable. Look for podcasts too -- Doug Payne does some pretty neat ones that might be on his website and I think some other riders have started them as well.

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  2. http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/GeorgeMorris2012/

    That is the link to an absolutely amazing hunter jumper clinic by George Morris. If you have time you should watch the clinic its really good and there are some great tips and tricks.

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  3. DH- funny you mention that I spent yesterday watching that clinic.

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  4. Book exchange? Maybe we can share...I have a library at home. Would be happy to lend to you Amy!

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  5. I have found that through the winter, some horses you can ride once or twice a week and make slow and steady progress. Or even every two weeks. Others make you feel like you are back pedaling if you are not riding consistently, nearly daily. Nothing wrong with giving the latter horses a vacation in winter. It's better than setting up bad habits. Nina might as well have 6 months off if she isn't being ridden nearly every day. Not worth the hassle.

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  6. Amy you are so sweet. The problem with an exchange is I have none to exchange :). Are you signed up for camp this year? I am not going this year but do hope to audit some.

    Barbara you are right about that. It has taken me a while to figure it out.

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  7. His athleticism is a good thing, but there are downsides. I think you're approaching it the right way. :) Good luck on your book hunt!

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