Monday, October 30, 2017

I Venture Back into the Arena

I Venture Back into the Arena

For those of you that have followed my adventures for a long time, you may remember that Cole and I have had some issues in the arena.  In the early days, he took to bolting away from the scary corner whenever he heard a noise--or just felt like it.  It happened enough that I learned to just stay on the safe side of the arena until he seemed calm.  

After months of riding him in there, we finally worked it out, and I could ride him through the scary corner without any fear.

Then we spent a summer trail riding.  The following fall, I found myself back in the arena--with the same problem.  I got anxious about it, and we ended up back on the safe side until we worked it out--many rides later.

This has happened every year, since.  Last year, I was determined to be brave, and took him to the scary corner early in the ride--he bolted.  I was back where I started.

This is really my problem, not his.  I am a good enough rider to handle his bolts.  I either catch him in the first stride and stop him handily or, if he catches me by surprise, I can certainly ride a brisk gallop to the other end of the arena.  After thwarting him a few times, Cole gives up.  He only wants to please me--he’s just that kind of horse.  It’s all in my head.

Consequently, my first ride in the arena of the year is a big deal.

Ellen and I had hoped to ride in the park, but it was cold and rainy.  It wasn’t a hard rain.  If it was warmer, we may have hit the trail, but it just isn’t pleasant for anyone when it is cold and rainy.  It was time to tackle the arena.

I decided to be cautious and try not to think too much about it.  Cole was very excited when I led him towards the arena.  As a clicker horse, he likes to go where the treats are plentiful.  He parked out, bowed and then he was ready for fun!

I mounted up, and he went right into the silly walk.  I clicked him for it, and then told him it was time for regular walk.  We headed right to the scary corner and did a full lap without any problems--and I didn’t break out into a cold sweat.  That was a very good start.  I went back to the safe end and walked some circles.  Ellen was already trotting around with Dante.  I think she was showing off

I ventured off to the scary end of the arena, again.  Cole was fine!  I went back to the safe side and did more walking.  Brenda joined us on Archie, and he was perfect, as usual.

After about 10 minutes of walking around, I knew it was time to trot.  Archie and Dante were doing their slow, quiet trot--making it all look so easy.  If only that was what I had to deal with.  Instead, I have the Big Trot!

Yes, Cole has a completely different trot, and it isn’t easy to ride.  It is my fault--when he offered it, back in the early days, I clicked and encouraged it.  His trot is big, powerful and beautiful.  He seldom does it on the trail, unless he sees someone and wants to show off, so I get way out of practice over the summer.

I braced myself, (which you have to do or you will lose your seat,) and he launched.  It was big, it was powerful and I assume it was a beautiful trot, but it wasn’t out of control as it sometimes is when he is excited.  I did half a circle, exhaled deeply and he came to a lovely halt.  I had my horse back.  Of course, he got clicked.

We practiced our circles on the safe end.  Before I knew it, we were doing full circles.  I had to keep an eye out for Archie and Dante.  Since they go so much slower, it is easy to get in their way.  This keeps me focused on where we are and in the moment.

I even threw in a shoulder-in at the trot just for fun--and it was his best--ever!

I didn’t trot on the scary end, but by the end of our session, I was walking through it and trotting back to the safe end.  Everything went so well for our first ride in the arena since March.

As the ride wound down, it was time for Cole’s favorite time of the ride--TRICKS!

Tricks really just consist of side pass, turn on the haunches and the hardest trick of all--backing up.  Since I click him for his tricks, he just loves them.  He will do them all day if I let him.  Trick time is a great way to end a surprisingly successful first arena ride.  

I hope it will be a while before the second one...

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