It hurts a lot. Yikes.
Here's a picture of Izzy and I on our first ride together in six whole weeks. We're basically just chilling out at this point, but you see what I mean.
My butt. In the saddle.
Well, ok, thankfully, her head is covering my butt, but I'm riding again regardless.
I rode for an hour Friday night. Izzy felt mostly really good. Some things were better than when I left off--her walk has improved and she was easy to put together at the trot and canter.
That said, I think S is a much more handsey rider than I am or something, because when I'd ask for a downward transition, she'd hit the bit like a TON of bricks. Interesting... Also, the funky head flip she picked up with S never appeared, and she only offered to jig once. Hm... I think I just tend to be looser and more relaxed, which means I get less performance out of her, but I also get a lot less resistance.
This is what I was confronted with when I showed up for my first ride. Yep. Ms. Mare rolled in the mud, probably in my honor. Nothing like a good hard curry for arm therapy, right?
Fortunately, I got her cleaned up and we actually had a decent ride. The pictures (and video!) are courtesy of fellow blogger Nana Korobi Yaoki.
Yes folks, there is actually another person from Idaho who blogs. And events. And now, takes pictures and videos of me. Yay blogger friends!!! This is kind of a big deal, since most the rest of you actually have other bloggers in your area. Idaho? Yeah, not so much.
Anyways.
Here's a video of our first ride together:
Not our best ever, but not our worst.
I know what you're all thinking: what about her goals? The 50-70% of the month ridden without stirrups?
Yes my friends. After this ride, I took the stirrups off the saddle. They aren't going back on until September 1st. My thighs are killing my, but my sitting trot is already improving. Also, I posted two laps around the large arena today. Did you know that can cause your calf to cramp?
YAY! Enjoy it girl!!!!! Glad you are back :) Don't push it to fast, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being back in the saddle! I know GM preaches the no stirrups for hours thing, but really, once your muscles are fatigued, all you are teaching yourself is bad compensation habits and cramps. So pace yourself!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congrats on making it back. Take it easy at first while you get back in shape.
ReplyDeleteYeah, work without stirrups only really helps position and leg strength if you post! And then only if you try to keep correct leg while doing that...
ReplyDeleteSitting without stirrups may (or may not) help your seat for sitting trot, but other than balance, doesn't help position, and in fact can make your leg position worse.
I've found the best thing to improve sitting trot is actually riding a gaited (TWH) horse that is rough gaited. Your back and pelvis learns to just flow with the program as much as possible! =D.
Wow you are a tough lady! Jumping right back into the saddle *and* sans stirrups to boot! I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad everything worked out and your back in the saddle again.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being back in the tack! Such a wonderful feeling after a long break, I have been there myself. Don't go giving yourself cramps with the no stirrups thing though you crazy girl! Take it easy! :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Good to see you back where you belong. And it's interesting to feel the differences in your horse another rider makes. I like to have my trainer hop on now and then because it gives her one more reference point about me. Though it does invariably lead to her saying, "We need to talk about ...."
ReplyDeleteAnd hats off to you re-the no stirrup work. But do take it a little easy - I'm with the others who say don't kill yourself!
Looking good!!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to keep the stirrups on the saddle so you can use them now and then. You don't want to overdo and wear out your muscles.
Congratulations in getting back in the saddle. I must feel great.
Congrats on getting back in the saddle!
ReplyDeleteI never post without stirrups, that's just torture!
Congratulations! You look great for all that time off. Izzy looks happy to have you back.
ReplyDelete