Riding Lessons

Dancer and I are having riding lessons at last. He and I are no longer going to be plodding around the arena or shying - willy nilly

I heard peeping in the shrubbery today. I wonder if the other guinea hen has hatched a brood, or perhaps it is a wild bird's nest of hatchlings?

Our lesson was on Tuesday and a lot has happened in the past week. My friend Marnie came for a ride and Dancer was such a gentleman with her.

Earlier in the week, we rode on the lane, up the side of the road. Dancer seemed to enjoy himself, I know I was. Unfortunately, when we approached the hay wagon he decided there was something scary there. He shied, but I stayed on and we managed to inspect the hay wagon thoroughly. I plan on only riding in the hay field when there is someone home at the farm.

On the weekend Rosie and Rod worked on the new fields in the back pasture. After my ride I treked out back to see what they were up to. The were putting in over fifty fence posts. The dogs were hiding under the trailer to keep out of the heat, but came out to see me.

Today we had a great lunge. Dancer walked, trotted and stopped on command. It was quite hot so we stayed in the shade of the trees. Then we played for a while. I had Dancer help me push the barrel around the arena. He is now trying to push it himself.

Harry our cat is trying to help me with this blog. He keeps climbing on the keyboard and rubbing against my hands. He is such a little helper.

Dancer and I worked for half and hour. The breeze kept the heat at bay. We practiced going from a walk to a trot and eventually he was trotting on command. Though he still does to take off in a straight line... we will work on this. Also, we practiced his flection, backing and finally the dismount.

I took Dancer into the barn, untacked and gave him a sponge off. He loved that. We will have to try a bath. I will have to ask Rosie about using the hose to bathe a horse.

Today we handled the treats differently. I took Dancer outside and showed him a piece of the horse pattootie - his favourite treat. Then I asked him to bow. He did it!!! I took him to the pasture took his halter off then used the second treat and asked him to bow again. I will have to get pictures! What a great morning we had.