Equine Assisted Healing

On Saturday I went to a clinic of sorts on the subject of equine assisted healing and how the person hosting the clinic got into the field herself. It really solidified to me that this is something I am interested in and would like to pursue this as a career. 

Lissy Needs Ground Manners, but her undersaddle is coming along nicely

On Tuesday I went for my lesson and we worked on the lunge line with sitting the trot even when she was leaning in and making tight circles. I made a lot of progress on sitting the trot, partially helped by holding on to the saddle. All that holding on to the saddle near her withers made my fingers really sore. But the trot is coming along so nicely.

Unfortunately her ground manners SUCK!!

Wednesday Lissy needed her feet done and so I went back out there to hold her while she got her feet trimmed. Lissy was an absolute basket case, she was running through me and in and out of stalls and the whole trimming process took over an hour!! And it ended with me having to chase her but not before she stepped on the side of my left foot and gave me rope burn. I think I will see if  she can get some ground manners along with her dressage training. *sigh*

Lesson Learned

"The horse is no machine, its readability no permanent state; it cannot be wound up for use when desired, poorly ridden for days and then put back in the corner."
-Douglas Puterbaugh


I learned this lesson in a very real way today. I decided that even though I haven't worked with Chance since November today was as good of day as any to try and ride him bareback. After all bareback should be low key and low stress easy on his back......right?

WRONG!!

Before I got on I backed him up and then worked on getting him to line up with the mounting block. Then once he was lined up I leaned over his back and put pressure on and told him he was a good boy. He wasn't particularly thrilled but I figured I could get him over it.

WRONG AGAIN!!!

I think I was on for roughly 2-5 seconds and then I was on the ground on my butt. OH NO! That was NOT cool!! So instead of getting away with a nice leisurely walk Chance got lunged at the trot. The crazy horse is going to need a lot of work to get up to where he was. It probably doesn't help that he was misbehaving when I stopped riding him. Anyway I'm just glad that Lissy is being trained so that I can work with Chance in my fleeting free time. 
 

The Sitting Trot

My sitting trot has really progressed since last week, I think Lissy's training has helped her gait and therefore made it easier for me to sit the trot. I found that holding on to the saddle and getting the correct leg position. I just really enjoy riding her and making progress.

Dressage Lesson Notes