So yeah, for anyone who didn't catch it, I was the recipient of Gaia's teachings this last week. I did have a number of "light-bulb" moments, both with the horses and my riding.
Some tidbits that may or may not apply to you and yours, but really helped:
-When you keep your heels down, it doesn't mean they just hang lower. You *push* them down, and it really helps you balance at the canter. I'm still working on the trot.
-Then, when [Hank] canters to scare the heck out of you, it's really nice to not have to slow down, but urge him forward - you can almost hear him thinking "Oh Sh*t."
-Lateral flexation doesn't take long to learn. And it gives you somewhere to go when pony is being a dingbat and scaring you.
-My idea of gentleness and kindness kinda gets lost in translation ... it can be somewhat disconcerting and even confusing to the horse. Consistency and fairness go a lot further.
-A horse can get you p.o.'d and frustrated and use it against you, much as a child can. It pushes you a lot closer to getting off or ending the session.
-Letting the horse stand still is a good thing.
-Learning to take a breath when you're frustrated is a very good thing.
There's more that I'll put down as I remember it ....
Thanks tons, girlfriend, I think I got a lot out of it.
