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| I haven't been out there in so long there were cobwebs between my tack locker and blanket hanger :( |
The girl before me was having a jump lesson in the grassy stadium field across the road, so I went out there too even though we wouldn't be jumping. I knew it was going to be a fun lesson when I asked for trot in warmup and got a grunt/squeal!
Here is a list of the reasons I almost got tossed, which would terrify me on a big horse, but just make me laugh on Connor:
- A truck with a rattling metal trailer drove by (Legitimately lost his mind)
- A woman talking on speakerphone walked by (On alert)
- I sniffled (Planted, propped and slid)
- I asked for shoulder fore and he took offense to my left leg. (Actual buck)
- Scooters (On alert)
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| Legit. |
We left legit skidmarks. My reining horse friends would be so proud.
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| I need a second Dressage schooling pad, and I thought I'd be like the cool kids and rep Riding Warehouse, but unfortunately, their Dressage pads are quarter sheet-sized on Connor. |
But the fun thing for me was all that energy meant I had great impulsion so he was going amazingly well, AND I got to practice riding it. With my new position, I really am able to just sit up and tell him to chill out in my seat and he comes back to me...eventually. This is great practice for shows, where I sometimes escalate things with him when he's up already.
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| The look of neglect. He gave himself his own dirt quarter mark while I was gone. |
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| Summer coat growing in so fast. |
Although I think my trainer would have liked to, y'know, practice something other than trotting 20m circles and SF, I was happy to have a fun lesson in the warm sun with my horse feeling really good after the kind of week I've had. Just what the doctor ordered.
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| Missed this little guy. |
So happy for you that you were able to ride! I never mind extra energy if I'm somewhat able to put it to work.
ReplyDeleteLol at that picture of him in the very large Riding Warehouse saddle pad!
Me too! I think that pad is going to become a giveaway on the blog.
DeleteWild child! I'd be happy to send you my RW AP pad if you want it. It's too big for my jump saddle but too small for my dressage saddle so I just have it stuffed into one of my trunks.
ReplyDeleteIf it's too big for your AP saddle, it's probably too big for mine too, but thanks for the offer! Finding pads small enough for a pony is a real challenge!
DeleteSo glad you finally got to ride! The pads you have that fit Connor look so classy - I wonder why D ring straps aren't a thing on many pads? The only ones I've seen like that are advertised by my favorite British online tack shop, but the look is very tidy. I feel like a lot of dressage pads I've seen are giant (even on my 16.2h mare), and I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I only have one Dressage pad that fits him and I LOVE it, but they don't make them anymore. They're done by Classic Equine. I want to find someone that will custom make me more based off the one I have. Dressage pad fit is a real struggle with a 16.5" saddle/pony.
DeleteIf you get desperate, LeMieux makes d-ring strap pads, and they come in Cob. I have a photo of my old 18" close contact dressage saddle looking like a tiny island in the middle of a giant (apparently normal sized) dressage pad. It's an 18. I can only imagine the struggle of a 16.5" saddle. Not that my ass could ever fit in a 16.5" saddle...
DeleteHaha yeah the extra oomph can be fun. Who needs to ease back in anyways? :-p
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't fall off and sometimes I really like that extra oomph they bring to the lesson when they are happy (also squealing is always cute)
ReplyDeleteThey find the most ridiculous things to be offended at!
ReplyDeleteAh dirty pony looks like his brother :) I deal with the huge pads on my guys. I love my Classic Equine pads too since they have the high wither.
ReplyDeleteYahoo for a fun ride! I landed in the dirt once after sneezing while riding, Conner is in good company.
ReplyDeleteSo many things to be offended at. I'm also starting to love riding Katai when she's got that type of energy. Before she was scary, now she's trained and ridable enough that I just get a forward, expressive pony.
ReplyDeleteIs it terrible that I giggled a little at the visual image of a squealing Connor?!? Lol glad it was so fun :)
ReplyDeleteWhat brand of dressage pads do you get for Connor? I am having to use a shimmable pad at this time since Fergie is sharing Riva's saddle - but eventually, new girl will get her own saddle.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you and Connor got to spend some time together :)
I only have a couple right now, all hand me downs. My all time favorite is not made anymore, the Classic Equine pad. That's the square-backed one shown in this post. I also have some hand-me-down Smartpak pads from Austen that I believe were shrunk in the wash. They fit great. Finally, his show pad is the PRI Pony Pad which I got from justforponies.com. That fits well too.
DeleteThanks Jen!
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