A lesson

I had my second lesson today with Shannon Ryan over at our friend Tammy's place. The indoor arena is SO nice. The footing is amazing.

This time I took my girls and the three horses. It was a tight squeeze because we loaded three saddles, pads, boots, bridles etc into the back seat of the truck and the three of us rode up front. I told Jack it's time for a camper unit on top of the truck. As much as I hate them, we need a dry space for the tack.

I am already sore, but it was really worth it. I was able to lope quite a bit and work on transitions. Shannon told me to squeeze with my ankles, calves, thighs and butt like I was squeezing toothpaste out of a tube and for some reason that just clicked for me. I could get Catfish to lope off easily and really kept with him. Usually I feel like I am being tossed around like a rag doll. I am even starting to sit his trot better, which is a major accomplishment.

S took a lesson with me, and Shannon helped her with body position. Both of us pull our heals up if we don't concentrate. It's interesting, because I can see S do it and then adjust myself. She said it must be genetic because we were both doing it! S had better success getting Dixie to lope off nicely instead of fighting with her so I think she learned a lot too.

N and Gunner had a private lesson and did pretty well. Gunner pulled his "I think I want to buck" routine, but N just rode him through it and they moved on. Next time she can take a group lesson with the S and I. I was concerned that she would have to fight with Gunner and take time away from the rest of us, but that didn't seem to happen.

One of Tammy's boarders asked S to ride her horse Ripley. Of course she agreed, because we had just started cleaning stalls. I like to keep moving when it's cold and we were waiting for N to finish her lesson. It went pretty well with Ripley. He is a nice little QH grade gelding who just needs someone to ride him. She has asked that S ride him in two weeks again. Of course she said yes. That kid would never turn down a chance to ride.

When we got home we hauled all our tack into the basement. Usually it is kept in the barn, but each winter we pull it in and clean it up. It helps to keep it dry as well, as our barn is open most of the winter. I have decided it's time to sell some tack. So, after the first of the year I will be ebaying. Anything that doesn't sell I will give to Goodwill.