I had unofficially accepted a lower offer only on the condition that the auction ended without a bid, like it seemed it would for the second time in a row, but someone bid at the last second and it sold for full price. *happydance*
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| The buyer's in for a cruel surprise, the box is a liar. There's no County in there. Also, Christmas decorations! |
So December goals are:
1. Get good at riding bareback
2. Continue to train hard while riding bareback - because let's face it, my natural inclination when on a warm
3. Don't fall off in the arena.
4. Don't fall off on the trails.
5. I still haven't fallen off of this pony yet - don't fall off anywhere.
The real question is, am I going to get bored enough by the end of January to attempt bareback poles/cavaletti/jumping? And, is our two month stint without a saddle going to seriously put our training back? What are we going to look like after I'm not able to brace against one stirrup or the other? There are positives and negatives to riding bareback, but having a CWD that fits that my best friend can work on for me outweighs all of the negatives.
Patience...!
I don't ride bareback a lot, but recently a trainer told me I should. After seeing her 5 year old daughter jumping 3'9" on a pony bareback with perfect form, I'm starting to think I should listen to her haha.
ReplyDeleteI think two months of bareback will do WONDERS for your sense of balance and timing of your aids! Really curious to see how you guys do with it. And congrats on selling your saddle! Hopefully my two will go soon too...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on selling the saddle! I ride Prince bareback 90% of the time and you do get a much more secure seat by the end of it, granted I'm not really trying to do any serious work with him.. good luck!
ReplyDeleteBareback is a wonderful thing. I firmly believe my velcro seat is accredited to hours spent WTC/Jumping around bareback.
ReplyDeleteEh, if you do back off on the training some, it won't hurt. That way Connor can process all he's learned and let go of unhelpful muscles, and you'll be money ahead in the spring.
ReplyDeleteYou are so much braver than I am!! I don't think I could stand to ride bareback that much, haha
ReplyDeleteI second Alli - play around with the timing of your aids at the walk especially. Once you really get it it's AMAZING how much easier it is for horses to do lateral work when you time your aids nicely. Also you can perfect your walk-canter transition in order to avoid too much trotting ;)
ReplyDeleteIf Conner isn't too bone-y in the back, which he doesn't seem like he is, riding barebacks will be great. If he was a bit bone-y I would say get a bareback pad for sure! :P
ReplyDeleteThere will be a lot of rewards at the end of the no saddle time!
ReplyDeleteYay congrats on the sale! I love riding bareback, especially in winter (warm pony on the butt is nice)
ReplyDeleteI haven't used my saddle in over a year (broken arm + no topline = I need to visit the saddle fitter) All rides have been bareback.
ReplyDeleteYay no bracing! I think you naturally get more even without the stirrups, and the best part is how well you can feel their back muscles and where the hind legs are. Plus warm pony backs. Enjoy and congrats on the sale. :D
that's a long time for bareback riding!! my bet is that you'll be jumping bareback by the time the cwd arrives lol
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting full price - that's awesome! I ride my older mare bareback or with a thinline bareback pad (yay, thoroughbred withers!) quite often. I really enjoy doing dressage and lateral work, shoulder in, etc because it helps me remember to engage my core and not lean - or I will fall off! I, however, will not be caught dead jumping bareback... because I don't want to die. Good luck - I'll be looking forward to more posts on how it goes!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful thing selling an old saddle at your asking price! Yay! Also - you'll be a badass at the end of these two months. I don't know if I could do it without falling off, but if you can ride,and jump without falling off for two months I think you deserve a prize!
ReplyDeleteMAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!
ReplyDelete