The group lesson people had an opportunity to get our weekly lesson four days since the horrid cold rain and mud shut down our regular Monday lesson. Erin told us we could have a lesson on Friday and scheduled for 3:00 warm afternoon. Sadly, something came up and it was scheduled for 9:30. That time of the morning was a 32 degree day. I’ve been thinking a woman in her third childhood should not have to ride when it’s that cold. However, I jumped at having a group lesson. I am an old and crazy horse addict!
Piggie progress and unprogress report. Erin rode Fancy three days, it was cold, it snowed, the roads were slick is why I didn’t even show up for three days. Fancy recovered her bravado on Tuesday. Erin did flying lead changes and life was good. The next day, the pigs moved to the opposite stall, still next door to the arena, but in another stall. The next ride Erin had with Fancy was filled with Fancy fear. How perceptive are horses? The door to the stall aisle was still shut. Fancy knew there was a change and her fear returned. Good Lordy. The day after that, the pigs moved back into the original stall and Fancy’s fear did not abate!
I rode Fancy on Thursday with her fear. It wasn’t fun. Going faster than a walk towards the scary end made her more nervous. We did a lot of maneuvers to get her mind off the piggies. It worked, but only until we stopped. I got off and thought it best to feed Fancy at the scary end of the arena. She ate and the fear left.
On the day of the lesson, I had second thoughts. However, my groupie was thrilled to have a lesson, so I had to be also. I arrived in the 32 degree weather and was silently cursing. I’m only wearing one layer of long underwear, heavy sweatshirt and my coat. My back was cold, cry. No one was here, I could leave now and send a cancel text. Nope, carry on. I got Fancy’s special food ready and went to get her. The damn gate was frozen to the ground and I knew this to be a sign to cancel. I had told the upcoming new owner about feeding Fancy this morning. I had to find her and tell her I didn’t feed her. The upcoming new owner went to the lot, flipped the gate back and forth and got the ice broken. DAMN! Now I have to ride.
I got Fancy’s halter on and brought her into the barn. I’m still the only groupie lesson person in attendance, but now I’m forced to saddle. The other groupie arrived, got her horse and we were ready to warm up in the arena. Fancy was still nervous about the pigs and scared of the pig end of the arena. I got her to circle around me in a sane manner and tightened the saddle the required three times and mounted. Fancy was still leery, but there is no bolt in her mind. Fancy is very safe to ride!
Erin had the groupies walk back and forth in the scary end and make our turns toward piggie stall. It didn’t take more than five minutes before both groupie lesson horses were relaxed enough to go at a faster speed. Life was good. The cold evaporated, even my fingers became warm as we went for flying changes. I got some magnificent ones going right to left, but we bogged down the trot going left to right. My body is not enthusiastic enough. There is something mentally going on with my brain. Wish I could figure me out!