I got my book! Now I will know all I need to know. I basically know this is the head and this is the tail and that the art of riding is keeping the horse between you and the ground. Well, I know a little more than that but I really only know how much I don't know.
The top of the book says, "For riders of all disciplines, boost your self-confidence and...." this was all I needed to read. I do need a boost into the saddle and I definantly need a boost in self-confidence so this must be the book for me.
I am learning the proper way to dress, which this is not. Shorts, t-shirts, no bra(that's way I don't trot) but I did have boots on.
Unlike this photo where I look like I am falling with my flip flops on. (Gosh, how many pounds can a rider put on in a few short years?) I was trying to get him to turn but I guess I thought I was riding a bike and leaning for the turn, who knows! Honestly, I do not know what I am doing in this picture. That is why I got the book.
I do have a story to tell of Charme's and my first ride. Andrew and I were all excited to ride. Saddled up and Andrew said you go first Nana. So I did, proudly.
Took off at a fast walk toward the spring, got about half way there and Charme decided to go back to the barn...at a faster walk, maybe a trot, maybe more, but I am hanging on. As she jumps the dry creek and I see all the big rocks I carefully placed down there, I prayed not to fall. I said, Lord, I do not have enough sick leave.
Okay, old girl, I am the boss and we are getting this right this time! I get her headed out and past the spring again. Much better this time, then she decides to go, I do not know what a one rein stop is and do not even remember if I had the reins at that point. Now you are talking to someone who falls off the WalMart horse. Charme is not bucking or doing anything wrong except not listening to me. She wants to be at the barn with her minis...and she is moving there fast!
This time she does not jump the dry ditch but heads right for a persimmon tree, straight on and I am praying, don't let me fall, don't let me fall. Then it was, don't let me hit that tree! So Charme makes a ninty degree turn and the saddle slides to the right side but I am still gripped to that saddle for dear life.
As the saddle slides toward her belly with me on it, she stops. Thank God, she knew she was losing her rider. I just kinda hang there with my feet in the stirrups, reins in a death grip and the saddle horn welded to my hand. By this time, one foot is on top of the horse and one is under it, but by golly, I am still in the saddle.
Hubby sticks his head out the door and says where's Nana and Andrew says, riding. Hubby hollers and says where are you, I said I am on the horse and he says I do see your feet, you alright? Yes, I am alright. He goes back in the house.
When I get completely on the ground, while good Charme is standing so quietly, nuzzling the other d--- horses through the fence, I realize maybe she is a little buddy spoiled.
Andrew yells, Do that again, Nana, that was fun!
I said it is your turn and he declined but he did want to know what I was thinking as we ran. I said I was praying, Andrew said, no, you weren't! How do you know? I heard you yelling, no, Andrew I was praying. He said can I tell you what you said and not get into trouble? Go ahead, Andrew.
I was yelling. "Whoa, damnit, whoa!"
Now you know WHY I need this book!
My hubby and I are enjoying "Walkin' Small At The Farm", stable name, Buford. As you can tell I love play on words and name twisting. The old house behind us is Grandpa's. When Dad's family moved here, they brought two small houses by horse and sled from down the creek and put them together. Two rooms with a kitchen lean to on the back side.
Rolls Royce, my stud was purchased as a young colt. His dad sold for $45,000. I thought maybe he would be a good start. (And, no, he was a bargain because the color did not suit them.) I went to the White County Fair and met Royce there. It took me a few weeks but I did buy him. He ain't his daddy, but he ain't bad!
What can I say? From one to many...I loved these little guys! I researched, I shopped on line, I read every thing I could get my eyes on. I visited a trainer. I visited a show barn. I finally drove to a mini farm. I bought two bred mares and a filly, a pinto, a red roan and a brown...Fancy, Luci, and Phlo. They knew the owner of Royce so I bought him too. They delivered! In a van! Four horses in the back of a van, now that was amazing!
Fancy is now in New York State in a loving home with a long time horse owner. She is no longer able to ride so is trying Miniature horses.
Knot was young when I got him. Has grown a lot in this picture. He wanted to be with the babies so badly.
Then my second amazing trade came along. All the things I dreamed came to me. I wanted a bomb proof, low to the ground (not so far to fall), a gentle, loving horse to ride. Two minis for one Haflinger!
I immediately fell in love! I could get my foot in the stirrup! Meet Charme's Delight. Haflinger registry requires that you name the foal after the first letter in the dam's name if it's a filly and first letter of sire if it's a colt. So she is called Charmie as in charming my socks off.
My first GS, Andrew, (boy, has he changed!) trying out Charme.
