Horse post
Oct. 26th, 2010 11:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stephbgAm exceedingly happy to report that today I not only went to the stables, but was actively useful for a whole hour and a half. Yes, have overdone it, but in the best possible way.
Some highlights of the afternoon included:
* Transporting the sign-in book from the office back to the volunteers room, and removing the sign that said the sign-in book was in the office. Hey, someone had to do it and the office lady was very grateful for the small service. They're a grateful lot.
* Trying on riding helmets to see what my size was. I need a helmet to ride, and this little thing was one of the barriers to my goal. I hadn't actually been in the boot-and-helmet room before--because I've had no cause to--but this had to change before I could ask for an actual ride. On a horse. One day.
* Opening and closing many gates for other people with horses in hand.
* Ducking through many many fences. Think of a sumo wrestler move: a deep swaying squat, with important head tuck. This wasn't a contribution per se, but it certainly was exercise. I miss my gym membership not at all.
* I was sent to catch two horses. One wasn't in the paddock, but at least I was pretty confident that he was not amongst the horses that were in the paddock. I was beginning to wonder if I had forgotten how to identify anyone. The missing horse was not missing, just retrieved by someone else using a different gate. The second horse I went to get was also caught by someone else ahead of me, but this time I saw it happen and could at least provide gate services. Gates *shakes fist*. Gates are a pest.
* The second trip to the paddock was not wasted, because my companion had been sent to fetch Captain Nemo The Evil Shetland Pony. Apparently Nemo is back to his old non-compliant ways and was prepared to make a run for it. Actually it was quite fun engaging in a collaborative hunt, although I found myself surprised that not all involved understood basic flanking manouvers. I got to shout "You go left and I'll go right!" with appropriate hand signals which I don't believe I've ever done. Novelty FTW! I also scored a win by catching a trotting Nemo by a handful of mane and hauling him to a stop. I think he probably hauled me a bit first, but in the end he stopped. It felt like catching a sheep. Yes, I've caught a sheep. No, I don't want to talk about it.
* Today was one of the few times I've ever felt that I actually made a visible difference by grooming a horse. I made sweat marks go away, and loosened stiffened hair. Most satisfying. They're still shedding, but most of the Winter hair has already gone and most of the horses are looking sleek and shiny.
* I tried saddling for the first time in a long while. I haven't had the strength to try it for some time, and it hasn't been necessary so I've not had much practice. At some point I think I started to avoid the task because I hadn't had enough practice, and so failed to acquire practice. One of those silly cycles. Anyway, today I got all brave and managed to make a couple of mistakes which were duely and calmly corrected by the coach. I'll do better next time, because there will *be* a next time. And another next time.
* I faced the bridling of the same pony with more confidence, but he promptly tried to back away and also clenched his teeth. I ran out of hands to keep him still and tickle his tongue to accept the bit. Got there in the end with assistance, but when I unbridled him later he hung on the bit with his teeth, and I had to encourage him to drop it. I don't believe I've seen that before. Managed to avoid being bitten (never came close really), but was treated to some horror stories of the damage this particular pony has wrought on others. I got to show off my horse-bite scar in a context significantly more appropriate than usual.
* I got to spend even more time in the paddock today, with a release, and then a round of all the horses to collect their fly veils. This required a small amount of stalking for a couple of the horses who had had enough for the day and weren't keen on additional human interaction. I touched a dozen different horses today :-)
* I put things away. I collected stray equipment from the arena (the lessons use a lot of props). I scritched, albeit briefly, but promiscuously.
I had a great time. It's been months since I've been this useful. I may have sacrified tomorrow and possibly Thursday, but I account it a good trade.
Some highlights of the afternoon included:
* Transporting the sign-in book from the office back to the volunteers room, and removing the sign that said the sign-in book was in the office. Hey, someone had to do it and the office lady was very grateful for the small service. They're a grateful lot.
* Trying on riding helmets to see what my size was. I need a helmet to ride, and this little thing was one of the barriers to my goal. I hadn't actually been in the boot-and-helmet room before--because I've had no cause to--but this had to change before I could ask for an actual ride. On a horse. One day.
* Opening and closing many gates for other people with horses in hand.
* Ducking through many many fences. Think of a sumo wrestler move: a deep swaying squat, with important head tuck. This wasn't a contribution per se, but it certainly was exercise. I miss my gym membership not at all.
* I was sent to catch two horses. One wasn't in the paddock, but at least I was pretty confident that he was not amongst the horses that were in the paddock. I was beginning to wonder if I had forgotten how to identify anyone. The missing horse was not missing, just retrieved by someone else using a different gate. The second horse I went to get was also caught by someone else ahead of me, but this time I saw it happen and could at least provide gate services. Gates *shakes fist*. Gates are a pest.
* The second trip to the paddock was not wasted, because my companion had been sent to fetch Captain Nemo The Evil Shetland Pony. Apparently Nemo is back to his old non-compliant ways and was prepared to make a run for it. Actually it was quite fun engaging in a collaborative hunt, although I found myself surprised that not all involved understood basic flanking manouvers. I got to shout "You go left and I'll go right!" with appropriate hand signals which I don't believe I've ever done. Novelty FTW! I also scored a win by catching a trotting Nemo by a handful of mane and hauling him to a stop. I think he probably hauled me a bit first, but in the end he stopped. It felt like catching a sheep. Yes, I've caught a sheep. No, I don't want to talk about it.
* Today was one of the few times I've ever felt that I actually made a visible difference by grooming a horse. I made sweat marks go away, and loosened stiffened hair. Most satisfying. They're still shedding, but most of the Winter hair has already gone and most of the horses are looking sleek and shiny.
* I tried saddling for the first time in a long while. I haven't had the strength to try it for some time, and it hasn't been necessary so I've not had much practice. At some point I think I started to avoid the task because I hadn't had enough practice, and so failed to acquire practice. One of those silly cycles. Anyway, today I got all brave and managed to make a couple of mistakes which were duely and calmly corrected by the coach. I'll do better next time, because there will *be* a next time. And another next time.
* I faced the bridling of the same pony with more confidence, but he promptly tried to back away and also clenched his teeth. I ran out of hands to keep him still and tickle his tongue to accept the bit. Got there in the end with assistance, but when I unbridled him later he hung on the bit with his teeth, and I had to encourage him to drop it. I don't believe I've seen that before. Managed to avoid being bitten (never came close really), but was treated to some horror stories of the damage this particular pony has wrought on others. I got to show off my horse-bite scar in a context significantly more appropriate than usual.
* I got to spend even more time in the paddock today, with a release, and then a round of all the horses to collect their fly veils. This required a small amount of stalking for a couple of the horses who had had enough for the day and weren't keen on additional human interaction. I touched a dozen different horses today :-)
* I put things away. I collected stray equipment from the arena (the lessons use a lot of props). I scritched, albeit briefly, but promiscuously.
I had a great time. It's been months since I've been this useful. I may have sacrified tomorrow and possibly Thursday, but I account it a good trade.
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Date: 2010-10-26 08:39 pm (UTC)