First Ride of 2008 and First Ride with Spurs
It finally stopped raining. I was in pretty good shape considering the New Year’s Eve shenanigans, so I saddled up Leo this afternoon. He was on his very best behavior—starting out the new year on the right hoof even.
Since I haven’t ridden him in a week, we went through the CowhorseU basics: neck, shoulder, ribs, hips exercises. Then I tested him at a trot and canter to see if he was relaxed (he sometimes gets chargey if I haven’t ridden him in awhile). After I was sure he was in a pretty calm mood, I decided to try out spurs for the first time.
As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, Leo is really dull on his left side and really sensitive on his right side. So, if I apply equal pressure on both sides to ask him to trot, he usually veers to his left before getting going, He also doesn’t seem to even feel pressure from the left. So…my first attempt with spurs.
I borrowed a pair that have a very small rowel. I had Jim watch my feet as I tested different angles by pointing my toes or dropping my heels. He let me know where the spurs were if I couldn’t see. Then Leo and I got going, and (out of common courtesy and for self-preservation purposes) I was really careful not to bump or press very hard. I think I got a feel for it pretty quickly.
Leo’s reaction was interesting. I think he just didn’t know what I wanted, not that he was being ornery when I was asking him to move away from my leg pressure. When I finally applied pressure with the left spur, it took him a minute to move away from it. I knew he was feeling the spur and still pushing toward it because of his ears moving when I pressed with the spur. Then it was if he thought about it for a second, it registered what I wanted, and then he moved away from it. I also like that I was gentle enough with the spur that he didn’t jump from it, but noticed it enough to react calmly to it. He got a lot of “good boys!” and got much quicker at responding for the rest of the ride.
I’ve read it many times, but this was such a great illustration for me that horses have to be taught on each side separately—how they can understand how to do something perfectly on one side, but not understand at all when asked on the other side.
Other ride highlights: Leo did a beautiful slow jog with his head pretty low. I had to keep checking him, but he’s getting the idea. He’s also progressing quickly with turn on the forehand and goes farther each time. Mostly, he was just a wonderful horse today in a wonderful mood. It was a great ride and a great start to the new year.
Happy New Year everyone!
