It's finally happened! Teddy and I went off riding around the paddock - just the two of us. Wonderful!
The rain finally stopped, I had an event day at work which ended early so I got home on time, I pigged out at the event with the free food so I didn't need to cook tea, Steve was happy doing his own thing... yes the planets had finally aligned for me.
I took all my gear into the paddock and did some ground work with Teddy first. We did the latest lessons - yielding on the move, desensitisation at a walk (didn't want to do it at a trot in case it razzed him up just before our ride) and lateral flexion. He still gets annoyed by the carrot stick resting on his back when yielding forward but its something he has to get over. I also included some ground work along the fence line on his off side and he was great with that too, so it was time to saddle up!
All my tack is brand spankers so it was a bit stiff but the saddle fitted perfectly. The new bridle isn't a crack on my old one so I'm looking forward to getting the old trusted one back from Sam's (even if its the wrong colour). The new bridle also has a regular and a drop nose band which Teddy didn't much care for and I don't think he needs anyway.
So when Teddy was all saddled up and looking pretty I parked him along side the coffee table and into the stirrups I went. Very comfortable I tell you! I will adjust the stirrups down a bit for next time because I couldn't do this from the saddle as I put leather covers on them. It wasn't that bad so we set off around the front paddock, getting a feel for each other and me trying to remember all the good riding rules I never followed in the past but want to now.
We only went into a trot twice as I was trying to teach Teddy to stop by raising the rein (this doesn't come naturally to him). I also discovered that he responds to other commands well - squeezing my legs to go, neck reining to turn, pivoting (though I'm not sure I am doing that correctly myself), figure eights etc. The only thing he needs work with is stopping when I raise the reins instead of having his mouth pulled. Its important to me that he learns this as it's much better for him. Moving from a walk to trot doesn't seem natural for him either and I'm mindful of my abilities up against his polo background. Not a great match! One step at a time Teddy! I don't want to end up in the electric fence!
Steve came out with the video camera but I'm not posting it yet as it's unedited and... well all I can say is from some angles I look like a pig in a blanket! So it can bloody wait for a good editing if it makes an appearance at all. But I guess it is an historical moment for us so I should keep it. We will see.
All in all I discovered I've got a comfortable and steady seat so I doubt I'd come off easily but I also don't want to test this theory either LOL! I'm looking forward to what's ahead.
P.S. While typing this I have been watching my cows playing in the paddock. This is another first! Usually they stand, lay down, eat grass and occasionally moo. It's very cute to see them playing and running around each other. It must be the appearance of the calf next door, it seems to have that affect on our animals.
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