After a lovely morning I decided that I would go for a bareback ride around the property as I still don't have my replacement saddle yet.
I went to get the bridle and discovered they were all missing, then realised that Sam put them in her float when I had Teddy assessed by Pol and I forgot to get them so I decided to use the halter and lead rope instead. I am very lucky to have a friend like Sam as I used her float, round yard etc that day and she wasn't even there! Thank you Sam!
Anyway, I got Teddy and the old coffee table I use as a step and tried to jump on his back. Jump after jump after jump and I couldn't haul my fat arse up there. Teddy was patient and quiet and stood there waiting for me to get on his back but after all his patience I just couldn't make it. Nearly but not quite.
I knew that without the step it would be totally impossible as his back is level with my eyes. I have used the coffee table to get up in the saddle in the past and its fine because I had the stirrup to assist me. But bareback... well this was nothing like I remember it as a kid.
Jump up, hang across his back from my waist (if I was lucky, sometimes from just below the rib cage!) and try to get my leg over without slipping. It turned out to be impossible. Slip, jump, slip, jump.
How embarrassing! Even the horse was looking at me like, "Ok, come on just get up there."
That bloody saddle better arrive this week!
Funny! That's how I felt the first time I tried to get on Bleu bareback. She's a fair bit taller than Cricket. But Cricket has a big belly you have to get over.
ReplyDeleteThe trick? Jump UP not OVER. Think about jumping up to the rafters (or tree tops if you're outside) and then land *gracefully* with your belly button on the horse's spine. From there, you should be able to wiggle on. It's a great friendly game.
So glad to see your progress with Teddy! You sound like you're doing GREAT - bareback with a halter. Rock on!