Ride #2 – Bending and Backing

What consititutes a “first ride”? Is it the first time you get on their back, even if you’re just sitting still? If so, then today marks ride #2! I remembered my helmet today and went forth with confidence!

As usual, our session started out with getting her focused on me by asking her to walk, stop, back up, and bend. Once she was focused (which honestly is usually the minute she walks into the arena), I worked her on the lunge line a bit, including loping both directions for a short period of time. She’s finally picking up the left lead on the lunge without issue! She has also taken to wearing the saddle beautifully. She doesn’t mind the stirrups smacking her side at all.

After a nice lunging session, I decided to hop on again and build on our last “ride”. Last time, I simply mounted, sat there for a couple minutes, and dismounted. Today, I was able to hop on again with ease and no objection from my little Gracie.

I sat there for a minute or so, then started asking her to bend like I would from the ground. She seemed a little confused at first, but got used to the pressure coming from above her quickly. I asked her to bend both directions without forward movement, just bending her neck, until she started to become softer and really understanding the direction I was giving.

Once she was solid on the basic bending, I asked her to back by applying light pressure with my reins. When she didn’t back, I added a little more pressure, and increased until she took the tiniest step back. Right away, I released the pressure and fussed over her.

It’s extremely important when starting a horse to give clear direction, and then reward when they even just attempt to do what you asked. “Rewarding” means to immediately remove the pressure, then let them know they did a great job. For Gracie, since she’s a lovebug, I patted and rubbed her neck and baby-talked her, letting her know she’s a good girl.

Today I was able to dismount easily without kicking her butt on her way down. I laid across her back and slid off. Once I was back on the ground, she turned to look at me with this adorable face, as if to say, “I did good, Mom?”

SO CUTE!I

I was on her back for about five minutes total and am completely happy with her bending and learning about backing up. She’s a thinker; she seems to genuinely want to learn and do as asked. I’m excited to keep building on these short sessions!