Monday, January 4, 2010

Head Case

(Pictures from my hike with my sister yesterday)
I'm a freakin' head case. A crazy horse person! This blog is aptly named "horse crazed mind"... though maybe it should read "crazed horse mind"... only that doesn't sound nearly as good:)

So... that impossible to find leasing situation? Not so impossible after all. In fact, two days ago I was offered the chance to ride a beautiful, sweet, great minded, well trained (English jumper) mare at a really nice (indoor) facility, not 20 minutes from home by a lady I know takes amazing care of her horses and is a warm, friendly and (bless her heart) even sane!

Not a single fly in the ointment except one...

Leasing is not the right option for me.

I heard you sigh! I know, I know! Hear me out...

It was not until that such an ideal situation came along that I realized I had inadvertently created the same situation for myself as I had so carefully crafted for my mare Abby.

You see, in 2008 Abby and I both worked damn hard in a training program. We both came a long way in learning the fine art of reining. A lot of money... (that is an understatement) was spent getting her and I to the point where our old bad habits were broken down and replaced with new, supple, and better ways of riding.



In New Years of 09 I sent Abby out on a two year breeding lease. I did so because I could no longer afford to keep her (or I) in training and I felt it was better to have her sit unused (from a riding perspective) than to bring her home and have her used casually where she could potentially loose her training and redevelop those old bad habits. I was so focused on my horse that I never stopped to recognize that the same could be said of me... not until a year later (and a year away from horses) - when I was offered the chance to ride a well trained English horse- did I think of all the time, effort and money I put into MY OWN training and how perhaps the year away from riding was a saving grace... allowing me, like Abby, to preserve the foundation I put on my self and avoid the casually and subconscious relearning of bad habits that can develop through casual riding.


I am going to go back to reining lessons. I will need a tune up, to be sure... but I hope that once I regain my strength and co-ordination, once the proverbial dust has been blown off my mind, I will find that most of what I learned in 08 will be there, in tact and ready to be built upon.



Now, at this time I cant go back to my trainer, Kari, no matter how much I love her. It takes an hour and half one way to get to her barn and the gas, plus cost of lesson would come out to about $75 a lesson. WAY out of my budget. I'm going to look local and see if I cant book a lesson for this week! I have some reservations about the style, ethics, and training methods of a new instructor... but still, I'm really excited to get started again!

9 comments:

  1. LOL! I hear you - hence the taking lessons right now...

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  2. I am so happy that you have found a situation that will work for you! That is so great. Can't wait to hear all about your lessons!

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  3. Great idea. Isn't it great how the journey to these decisions are made? Sometimes, it just clicks and you know what the right decision for you is! ;)

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  4. Funny how things work out, isn't it? Sounds like a great path you've chosen! I'm totally with ya on the casual riding/bad habits thing. Man, I picked up some weird habits riding drill for 5 years! I'm really diggin' my reining lessons and learning that art. It is an amazing discipline!

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  5. I know just what you mean! I ran into my show coaches over the weekend and they offered for me to come up and ride with them for a weekend (for the first time since I sold my show horse 6 years ago). After the elation wore off, the panic set in...I have been riding nothing but a barrel horse since then, with no feedback from anyone. Casual riding squared! I can only hope that I haven't faltered too much and won't embarrass myself too badly! =)
    I am so excited to hear about your lessons! Please keep us posted - it's great that you can find good local people to train with. That's always the scariest thing..

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  6. I have tried different riding disciplines but reining really has my interest lately. Can't wait to hear how it goes for you!

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  7. ....Have I told you how much you remind me of me??? LOL!!!!

    Of course we all support you no matter what you decide to do. :)

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  8. I don't know...I am going to urge you to try that lease. I think you are probably a better rider than you give yourself credit for. Also, the situation sounds perfect. With a good horse, you will come back better and faster. I lease two different horses for 3 years...one near trails that was like riding a couch and a wonderful Arabian that taught me dressage. The Arabian was taught me so much...he was too good, but I worked so hard to be good enough for him. Those three years with those two horses were invaluable...maybe this lease is just what you need. Keep us posted...you know what you need, just excited you are gearing up to get back in the saddle!

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  9. ^ what she said. I did the lesson route on other people's horses and it wasn't enough. I wanted my own. But of course, there is always time for that later. Although I do believe casual riding is better than no riding at all in my humble opinion! I guess it depends on if you want to compete or what you are looking for! I work on the partnership with my horse, and then the rest falls into place with our instructor's help!

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