We're Headed for Bodega Bay

There is a ride to Bodega today and I'm going.

Horseback riding...can't wait.

It's hard to describe riding. There are many aspects.

First get the horse.

They are in their corrals. Say hello, but don't look at them! They are prey animals and programmed to leap from danger. But do let them sniff your hand and pat that soft nose and those soft cheeks. Scrub their forehead, a place they can't get to...they love a good hard scratch. Drape the lead rope over the neck. A cue to a well trained horse to stand still. Place the halter over the nose and pull it up to buckle it's heavy brass buckle, worn down over the years.

Now remove the turn out blanket.
Reaching under legs and bellies to unclip, always cognizant of the very strong legs. Keep your head out from under there.
The horse's head weighs 150 lbs. So keep it in your peripheral vision. These horses would never lash out; it's just that they might feel something they interperet as an irritating fly bite. That would send any animal stamping. Or it could trigger a kick or head shake, so keep up the quiet chatter and patting. "No I'm not a fly, it's just me, easy..." Pull the blanket gently back. With your back to the horse if he's jumpy, carefully fold it up into your arms, making it look small and innocent. Horses have amazing vision in the round, (they just can't see behind their head) so keep up the baby talk. "It's ok, easy."

Saddling up.

Lead the horse to the corral and tie the lead rope.
Time to brush and curry comb. Stroke, stroke, stroke, pull out that hair, the winter fur, and comb and curry again after the ride, afterwards, all that sweating helps shedding.

Now for the saddle.

For some a build up pad. It takes the pressure of a heavy saddle, better for high withers.

A shock pad is good.
A thick felted pad to cushion the saddle. Be sure to place the saddle high and pull back a half inch to make sure no hair is pressed backwards. Remember how that hurt when ponytails were too tight? OW! Goes for horses, too. Reach under that big beast's chest to reach the cinch (keep your head outta there!) and lace the latigo several times through the ring, then HEFT it up, and AGAIN!, and again until the saddle is firmly held on. If your arms can't do it alone, place your elbow on your hip and HEFT it again. It's got to be tight, not a good idea to ride and fall upside down under the horse because the saddle was loose!

Adjust the stirrups.

Measure by the same length as your arm. Your legs should hang comfortably, knees slightly bent, and boots resting in the stirrup, heels down.
You don't want your boot to slip forward through the stirrup do you?
You could fall and be dragged! Haven't you seen bad guys do that in the movies! CAREFUL!

Now the bridle.

That's a hard one to master.

Once I called for help, "Help!" because the bridle was 1/2 on 1/2 off and the horse was not a happy camper.

"Help, help, I've got the bridle messed up!"

"Well take it off, don't just stand there yelling, scaring the horse!"

Oh.

Slip the bit into the mouth.

Press your thumb into the lips on the side, between the front and back teeth, which opens the mouth. (He won't bite if you get your fingers in the right place.)
All at the same time; with thumb in, place the nose band over the nose, lift with steady pressure, until you get the bit in correctly. At the same time pull the ear band up and over one ear while keeping the side straps taught so the bit doesn't clang against the teeth.

I get about that far with great concentration and then my stumbling block: pull the other ear band over the far ear and if the horse is too tall or nervous, they will nod their head with displeasure at the ineptitude, which only adds to my stress, which leaves me fumbling, which irritates the horse, which....well you get the picture. Finally you get the earband on correctly with kind assistance from the riding teacher.

"Here, just let me do that!"

Now buckle the chin strap.

Mounting the Horse.

Unhook the lead rope.

Grasp the reins under the mouth and with a firm, outstretched arm, walk the horse into the arena to the center to line up with the other horses, who've been waiting a while for you to get it together!!

By now, after about 2 years of lessons, you are feeling competent, courageous and strong enough to get on the horse. Face backwards, grasping the reins and mane in the left hand. Get your leg up high enough to get the left boot toe into the stirrup. Then tippie toe, hopping in a tiny circle to face forward, grab the saddle horn and, jump WAY up, leaning forward (because if you don't you will just keel over, falling head first into the dirt, unless there is a helpful horse wrangler there to catch you at a 45 degree angle before you do the header. Thank God for that!) Throw your right leg up and over, pressing the knee down on the other side immediately to get seated in case the horse starts to walk on, which some horses seem to do when they see it's me. "Whoa, WHOA!!!" I call, hopefully.

Now get the boot into the right stirrup.

Do not lookdown. If you can't get it in, wobble around unsafely, reaching down to force the boot toe into the stupid stirrup!

Time to ride.

Heels down, toes in, sit up straight, head back, shoulders down, elbows in, reins in the left hand, little finger in between the 2 reins with knot on top, thumb forward on top of the whole works, right hand ON THE SADDLE HORN if you're a beginner or just plain wanting not to fall off EVER. Later, when you're really good, you can rest your right hand on your right thigh, so casually like you're a pretty good rider.


Imposter!

222222222222222222222222

Ready to walk the horse.

1. Cue the horse with, "Walk on!" slightly guiding the reins to the right. >br>2. Head towards the rail (fence) and begin to ride.
Awesome! Everything looks so beautiful up here, green hillsides, the town stretching out below, the oaks rising up behind, the adorable petting zoo barn, the goats in the next door pen, the ranch dogs wandering around, napping or checking out the miniature ponies and the clouds puffing though the blue, blue sky...
OOPS, pay attention!!

The horse is onto you and has stopped or started to line up as if the lesson is over.

Start over.

At this time, I'm simply too worn out to explain the rest.
Just picture a beautiful, big soft, warm, muscled animal ready, at your command, to take you away from everything, snuffing in your palm, big beautiful eyes looking ahead, making you feel quietly happy.

Later on, I'll deal with reverse turns, circling and passing inside (the center of the arena) to keep spacing. How to shorten your reins, halt, line up, dismount, taking off the saddle and bridle, brushing, currying, lead the horse back into the corral by walking with arm straight out, pivot the horse, remove the halter and get out of the horse's way. putting the blanket back on and slapping the back quarters as you let him loose. How to load into the trailer, unload, ride up sandy hills, surveying the Pacific Ocean from the dune grass on your way to a thrilling gallop and maybe a jump over drift wood!!

Did you know that, at a gallop, horses have all 4 feet off the ground? Neither did I, not even when I galloped by accident!

"Shorten your reins, shorten your reins!" "Huh?!! What?"

Oh well, I lived.
The excitement made my day!