My First Lesson

So today was my first lesson. I got up to the stables a bit early and
met my instructor. She seems to be very nice but isn't what I
envisioned. Her name is Mark and she is in dire need of a shave. I was
a little taken back by the Marlboro hanging from her lip and the
cursing. But hey, we are all entitled to our little flaws.

This was a group lesson but the other two students didn't show up so
it became a private one.

Mark put me on a little paint mare with a western saddle. After about
2 or 3 lessons Mark says I should be on an English one. I started
walking around the indoor arena and was told to stick close to the
wall as possible. Several laps in one direction and then a few in the
other.

Next I did the same thing in a trot. Keeping the horse close to the
wall and just trying to control her with my legs only. Another
instructor soon joined Mark and was giving me advice as I passed by
too.

I was then told to do semicircles around a cone while trotting. Then
complete circles and ride down the middle of the arena. Soon after
that I was told to trot over the cavalletti poles. As I came near to
them the horse stopped. Mark reminded me not to look at the poles as
the horse sees me doing so. "Why are you looking at these monsters!!!
Are they going to eat me!!!!" says the horse. Or something like that.
I proceeded to go around again and keep my eyes on Mark in the
distance. This time she goes over but slows to walk. I try again
reminding her to move it and she goes over in a trot. Yippie!!!

Look where you want to go. Use your legs. Tell her what to do, you are
not going to break her. Reward her by loosing the reins. You are the
boss. Etc, etc......

It was very interesting and a lot of fun. As we say at the airport...
The horse (plane) can be used again!!! Next lesson in a week.

-carl

ps... Mark is the ugliest looking girl I have ever met......

.

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