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Confetti covers every inch of my computer room and doggie containment unit. Laying amidst the carnage are my two angelic fur balls. Looking so innocent and as if they just woke up.
Spread throughout the room are recent issues of Dressage Today, Practical Horseman, Better Homes and Garden and Handyman. A few have big bites taken out of them. Others are resting on the dog’s beds undisturbed. If I didn’t know any better I’d think they were catching up on their reading.
As I pick up each tiny bit of paper I notice a pattern…only the horse magazines have been ravished. Is it possible that the girls are jealous of my barn time? Could they be carrying a grudge? Or it is cabin fever and an outcry for Spring?
Perhaps the article about The Pragmatic Perfect Position was just too much for them to digest. Or How to Match Mares and Stallions was too depressing with Valentine’s Day around the corner.
We’re nearing A at a trot. Two students are approaching from the opposite direction. They’re leading their mounts. Suddenly, we’re aloft! Simultaneously my mount farts and startles herself.
Dressage Rider “What was that?!” Laughter bubbling out.
Instructor “She thought the beam of light from the door was a pole and jumped it.” Joining in my laughter.
Dressage Rider “Really? Well, she farted and spooked herself.”
It’s always good to end a lesson with laughter.
Eureka! It was brought to my attention that I’m shifting my weight to the outside of the 20 meter circle! This is causing my horse to step under me (think of leg yielding) and out of the circle. Also I’m still not using the inside rein properly. I need to adjust my inside hand so that my fingernails are up and my thumb points toward the center of the circle (hitch-hiking). The minute I do that my horse is coming down and nicely rounded. This positioning can be used when riding corners too.
