I first did exercises on my mat, lying prone, then did sitting exercises. I ended with standing exercises. I’m using the Feldenkrais material that I put on the old cell phone. And I’m using the chiropractic sheet that Dr. Joe gave me.
The human and horse movement activities have always been synonymous, which is why, after doing my body work, I did some with Hrimmi. I got her out in the Playground of Higher Learning and had her walk over a small mat, through the hula hoop (which is nailed to a board), and then stand on the gymnasium mat.
I then worked with her on standing beside the mounting block while I got on and off. Lastly, I worked with her on standing still, using treats and the clicker. She’s getting it.
I finished doing agility then took her down to Pat and Ray’s fields, state land that doesn’t seem to be frequented by hunters. We both immediately saw that the trail was way overgrown. This was why it was impossible to find the trail. And yes, I finally understood the meaning of the term bushwack. I had a tough time dealing, as did Hrimmi, who saw all the greenery as a smorgasbord.
It was a short ride. We got back on the road in short order and made a beeline for home.
This evening, Pete and I went for a ride up and down the bench. Going up on Pete’s trail, there were numerous downed trees that we had to go around. This involved doing some more bushwacking.
I began to complain about my saddle fit – it was slipping. Pete adjusted it at the top of the hill, but going down the far trail it slipped almost around Tyra’s gut. The problem is that she’s a round horse, built like a barrel, and so getting a saddle to stay in place is quite difficult. Also, very frustrating.
I says to Pete that I can’t do the competitive trail ride using this saddle. We spent the rest of this ride considering our options. It appears now that Pete is going to ride. I says to him that I can give him an assist by alternating riding horses, say in the mornings ride Raudi or Tyra, then the next day reverse the order. I can do the longer workouts in the mornings and the shorter ones in the evening.
As for the saddle fit issue – I have no idea what I’m going to do to it.
Next: 177. 6/30/24: The End of June |