Just a quick post so it doesn't look like I've quit blogging:
On Saturday I had a 4H meeting at my leader's house, and I got to ride her horse, Fat Chance, "Bubba", for the first time! He's an English Thoroughbred, who's 23 (or 22) years old. He's 16hh (one hand is 4 inches), which is really tall compared to Daisy's 14.2 hands! I'm going to be showing him in some walk/trot, maybe walk/trot/canter English classes at our county fair this summer. He was A LOT more challenging to ride then Daisy, but it was really cool/interesting to ride a horse like him. When you ride Daisy it's all on a loose rein with pretty much no contact, but with Bubba you ride with 'contact' (light pressure) on the bit at all times. It made my hands hurt! But it was really cool. I worked on circling him perfectly, so that he was aligned correctly, so that none of his body was off or into the circle. It may sound easy, but it's hard! The pictures of me and him were taken by my leader, btw! The third picture down is one with 'flaws', that I should look at and see what I'm doing wrong...I'm no expert, but I see that he isn't stepping under himself quite right, and his head is high like he's fighting the bit. Feel free to tell me more of what I'm doing wrong! Constructive criticism is good! :D
Hope you all had a good weekend!
9:42 PM
On Saturday I had a 4H meeting at my leader's house, and I got to ride her horse, Fat Chance, "Bubba", for the first time! He's an English Thoroughbred, who's 23 (or 22) years old. He's 16hh (one hand is 4 inches), which is really tall compared to Daisy's 14.2 hands! I'm going to be showing him in some walk/trot, maybe walk/trot/canter English classes at our county fair this summer. He was A LOT more challenging to ride then Daisy, but it was really cool/interesting to ride a horse like him. When you ride Daisy it's all on a loose rein with pretty much no contact, but with Bubba you ride with 'contact' (light pressure) on the bit at all times. It made my hands hurt! But it was really cool. I worked on circling him perfectly, so that he was aligned correctly, so that none of his body was off or into the circle. It may sound easy, but it's hard! The pictures of me and him were taken by my leader, btw! The third picture down is one with 'flaws', that I should look at and see what I'm doing wrong...I'm no expert, but I see that he isn't stepping under himself quite right, and his head is high like he's fighting the bit. Feel free to tell me more of what I'm doing wrong! Constructive criticism is good! :D
Hope you all had a good weekend!
9:42 PM
17 comments:
I couldn't criticize if I wanted to. hahaha
I think you look great and are dong an awesome job on him! I'm totally impressed and can see that you know what to do on such a large, strong, powerful and smart horse.
Baby Doll is more like Daisy...hardly any contact at all. She can basically follow through telepathically or by following my eyes or feeling my body moving in the direction I want to go.
It's pretty easy, but a much more relaxing ride, I agree.
Keep up the good work.I know you will do great!
wow, that is a very powerful looking horse. good luck this summer with him! i know youll do great. personally, i like riding a horse like bob...very relaxed, with no work on my part hehe. anyway...great pics
Klasse Bilder so graziös Melissa
Dear Melissa, the photos are great! It was especially nice to see you from here (over the ocean) since I miss you (all). Coming home soon!! I am glad you had such an awesome time on Bubba. It looks to me like you knew what you were doing! He is really very big compared to Miss Daisy!!
On a different note, I cannot get into my web email here from Oma, thats why you didn t get mail from me the last couple of days. Take care. love you, Mom
cool! when you show, will you be showing in a show outfit, or in something like what you're wearing there?
In a show outfit...I have yet to get it, though....
Dear Melissa,
this is a nice post and a beautiful horse! I´m glad that you didn´t quit blogging!
Have a nice week!
It does sound challenging to ride Bubba. I can't see anything you're doing wrong in the third picture... lol :) 100% perfect :)
Looks like you had fun - even though you had sore hands...very handsome horse, Bubba is...looks very strong.
I like your new layout! Very cheerful!
great pictures!
I know the ride. Thoroughbreds are much more excitable.
I'll agree with you that he's definately stepping out from underneath himself with his back legs, especially the right. Some horses do carry their head higher, 'specially the ones trained to have a pretty curve in their neck. He doesn't look like he's fighting you too much, but 'tis slightly there...
If you want other critiques, your heels look flat, they should be down a bit more, and I don't know if its just this picture, since I didn't see your ride, but your hands look like you brought them up with you when you posted, and are a bit high.
But you two do look great together! You fit him really well!
You look so good! Such beautiful posture and Bubba is gorgeous. Of course, I'm partial to Daisy, but Bubba will do if Daisy Mae isn't available. lol
I can't really see anything wrong, but I don't have a trained eye at all. I think you look wonderful!
Thanks, guys! Especially you, Roheryn! I was hoping you'd say something! I'm not that great/experiance with English...I'll have to remember those things next time I ride him!
You're welcome!
If ya ever have a question, I'm here, or at my blog!
Don't hesitate to ask, I love to help!
Well you need to sit up straighter, put your heels down more, keep your hands down, not have sloppy hands and Bubba needs to engage his hind quarters more.(Sorry I know I probably sound like a trainer:)It is probably because I am a 13 year old trainer Cool huh?!) Hope this helps!
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Its a beautiful and sturdy looking horse, the pictures were great, sorry I don't know anything about these magnificent animaks or should I say companion, but the picture says it all.
Thanks,
Prakash.
Hi! just felt like adding to the previous post, pl; continue with the good work.
Thanks,
Prakash.
ps:- I am from India.do visit my blog site @ prakash-deshmukh.blogspot.com and post your valued comments.
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