As a novice rider, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to most things. I'm slowly learning and gaining a tiny bit of confidence. I think of it at temporary confidence, not permanent because who knows when I'm going to forget the thing I just learned. It is so annoying!
So tonight just felt weird. A strange vibe between me and Buzz-originating with me. He of course picked right up on it and everything went differently. As I was grooming him and tacking up, he would not stand still. As I walked him to the arena, he leaned into me the entire walk. Our lesson started well enough. We walked (then trotted) in circles around a cone. We started big and with each lap, closed in a little more towards the cone. Then we changed directions and did the exact opposite.
After a short break to discuss this exercise, we decided to practice posting at a trot. I was excited. I did this for the first time at my last lesson and loved it. I'm not very good at it. My horse doesn't want to stay on the rail and it sometimes feels like my pelvis is slamming into concrete in the saddle. But it is fun and very exciting.
So when I gave Buzz the signal, I was ready to sit, sit, post. I did once and THEN... Buzz kinda freaked out. He put his head down low and started tossing his head around wildly while pawing strangely at the ground. As I was comprehending all of this, he went into a canter to make the experience even more exciting. When I say exciting I also mean kind of scary. I think it was scary because I didn't understand what he was doing or why he was doing it.
The more I ride horses, the more I think I need to really know the character of a horse and not just how to pick its hooves or tack it up. I guess learning how to care for a horse is something that can be taught while understanding a horse is something you learn from personal experience.
My horse wasn't spooked. He was excited. My instructor said we will never know exactly why he behaved the way he did. He took me for a rough fast ride. I looked at my instructor as this was happening and she was as calm as could be-not the least bit concerned. I pulled hard on the left reign and the horse turned in and stopped. Just like he was supposed to do.
I got off for a few minutes and then got back on. We did a couple of laps of trotting and posting. I still can't keep him on the rail at a trot. He likes to stay in the middle of the arena. Why is this? I wish I knew.
After the lesson, he continued acting out of character (at least it felt that way to me). He practically trotted back to the barn as I was leading him. He again leaned into me, almost pushing me against the gate post. Then, as I took off his bridle and was getting the halter, he walked right into LuLu's stall and had a nice drink of water. What?
I got his saddle and saddle pad off easy enough. I groomed him, put on his blanket and coat (not before he pooped all over the place). I was ready to leave this lesson.
My instructor told me of a horseless class she took over the weekend about the importance of visualization and breathing techniques for riders. She said that horses can almost read minds. After tonight, I believe her. Next time, I'm going to try that visualization technique. I'll be visualizing me and Buzz on the rail at a trot. Me giving commands and not just hanging on for the ride. We'll see.
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