6th lesson (Jump)

Another new experience this week... riding a "proper" horse... i.e. one that is about 16hh.

My first thought was "OMG how am I going to get on him", but getting on was no problem... I didn't even have to lower the left stirrup from where I measured it to.

My second thought (on collecting the saddle) was "OMG that saddle is sooo narrow" and true enough when I put the saddle on his back it was really, really tight over his withers and shoulders. This was manifested when I was riding by Jump being trippy and stumbly.

Other than being too narrow, Jumps sadle was like sitting on a block of wood, and it put me in the most hideous position with my legs waaaay out infront of me. When trotting, I felt so far behind the movement that it was really unbalancing, especially with Jump putting in the odd short stride here and there!

This week was more of the same of last week - using direct and indirect reins... this time on a 20m circle, trying to achieve correct bend.

For a while I was able to go it alone and do some experimenting on my own - but the saddle deffinitely did not help.

The one part of the lesson which I didn't achieve anything was the canter at the end. As soon as we were told to canter Jump started to lean on the bit and pull. I didn't even get a transition because I felt so out of control... pah!

Anyway there are no lessons for the next two weeks, so I'm planning on getting back into the manege with Pinto ;o)