Changes, Changes
Published by GHC • Aug 9th, 2008 • Category: Riding Advice, by Rebecca Shylyby Rebecca Shyly, age 12
In the horse world it is impossible for anything to stay the same. For one thing, you get better and better with riding and handling horses. Adding onto that, the horses get older, some leave, foals are constantly being born, and at the busier barns, horses are constantly coming and going. Being a horse person definitely teaches us to be flexible, doesn’t it?
Ever since last year’s horse camp, my favorite horse has been Cha Cha. She was the baby of the lesson horses, only 4 years old. I started riding her when she was still a little green (not fully trained). Over the past year, I have watched her gain and lose weight, become smoother in her gaits and make countless other changes. Most of them have been good. Note: I said most.
She has her quirks as all horses do. She became pushier as she got older. She constantly wants treats and is always rubbing out her mane by sticking her head through rails to get more hay. I, along with the instructors and other riders, have learned to be firm with her and deal with her issues.
Now, even with all these not so desirable things about her, everyone loves Cha Cha. She is practically EVERYONE’S favorite horse, so lately I haven’t had the chance to ride her as much. Our instructor rotates us on horses, and I think it’s been at least a month since I have ridden her. Then, this Monday, I finally got a chance. I was really excited! Then I got on. Not so excited anymore was I? Cha Cha was being so-so. She was trotting heavily, not picking up her feet, so posting was difficult for me. Then after warming up plenty, we went to the lope (or canter). Most of our lesson horses refuse the correct lead unless you circle them, so we were working hard. Our instructor told us to complete two full laps around the arena before coming in so the others could have more room.
It took me a while to get Cha Cha on the correct lead, and it was more my fault than hers. I simply could not, not, not adjust to her stride. It was lopsided, uneven. Everytime she moved forward my spine was shocked. It hurt! I was truly in pain. So I pulled her in and told my instructor that I thought she was lame. She said, “No, that’s just the way she is.” So I took her back out. This time it was worse and Cha Cha got too close to the fence. I had to rein hard to keep my leg from being crushed between her and the fence! Boy, would that have hurt. For the rest of the lesson she continued this behavoir, and add to the deal taking turns too sharp. Finally, when my instructor asked us to come to a walk, she refused and bolted! Goodness it was quite a lesson (not just a riding lesson either). And even two days later on Wednessday, I was sore!
I am not sure what happened, but Cha Cha certainly changed in the time since I had ridden her last. Nothing in life stays the same — especially not horses!
Horses do change over the years. It can be pretty sad. I usually took lessons on this very sweet horse named Star, and one day he wasn’t in his stall. I asked my riding instructor where he was, and she said that he had gone to a big pasture. I had no clue what she meant, and asked again. What she meant by big pasture was a retired horse place. He had terrible arthritis, and wasn’t doing well in lessons anymore. It was sad.
I know, I’m going and on about it.
Great blog! I am always excited to read your fantastic blogs.
-mustangmane
Wow…how disappointing that must’ve been, but it’s good to know something can be learnt from this. This reminds me of Stargazer’s blog “My Angel” where Sassy gets ruined by riders who don’t know how to ride her. Perhaps that’s what has happened with Cha Cha?
Nonetheless, this blog is definitely one of my favourites and I really enjoyed reading it :D
mustangmane: u are not going on and on! I’m always gald to hear about when people can relate to my blogs. Thanks for your support and I thank you for being a faithful reader! I love your blogs too!
Madelaina: That probably is what happened to her. As far as this being like Stargazers blog, I guess great minds think alike. I was thinking the same thing!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for reading!
now, i donot thinkthat is chacha;s fault. nor is it yours, it is owners of the stables! i personally do not agree with using young horses at stables to learn to ride on because, as you have found out( with the lobsided canter e.c.t.) other more novice riders seemed to have ruined her. so now if thye ever want to sell her, its gonna be very difficult it is a shame. your right nothing stays the same!
p.s. i think you where right saying maybe she was lame xx