Standing in My Stirrups

For one reason or another I haven't had a riding lesson for several weeks. Today's lesson was a milestone for me for many reasons; these reasons may not seem like a big deal to those younger and fitter than me. However, for me, they signified much progress in my journey to lose weight and become more fit.

This morning was cold and clear with a sprinkle of new snow on the ground. We had about 6 inches on the valley floor the day before. I wasn't surprised to find the barnyard muddy and several of the stalls with huge puddles in them. A thin layer of ice floated at the top of most of the water buckets. I was grateful for my Walmart mucking boots and warm work gloves. I come to the barn for fun and relaxation--I don't have to do this for a living. It made me think of all those over the last century and a half who have worked the land  and raised farm animals without all the conveniences we have.

After barn chores were done, Tasha had me saddle up Bitsy. I was able to not only carry the saddle but put it up on Bitsy. I could feel strength in my arms I haven't had for a long time. I still had to use the steps, but swinging myself in the saddle was easier; my body felt lighter. I have only lost about 5 pounds in the last two months, so my guess is that I am more fit and able to lift myself up more easily. All this just from doing yoga and walking.

I focused on just walking Bitsy for a time and practicing turns. Then came the next surprise. Tasha told me to stand in my stirrups. The last time she asked me, it hurt to do it. My muscles burned. This time, I stood up in my stirrups and stayed there while Bitsy walked around the entire arena. Tasha was pleased and frankly, I was thrilled. It didn't hurt at all and I could feel the strength in my core, back, and thighs.

In addition to feeling stronger and more flexible, I experienced two milestones in riding and communication with the horse. At my last lesson, Tasha explained and demonstrated how to nudge a horse to move to the outside of the arena. (Bitsy is smart--she knows that by moving on the inside it's a shorter distance.) Today I finally got the knack of it, by using slight pressure in my thighs and calves to nudge Bitsy to the outside. It made for a nicer ride.

I didn't think I'd be up for  trot, but Tasha coaxed me to try it. I was almost in rhythm, but not quite. Tasha advised me not to rise up so high while posting. I took her advice and did a gentler movement--the rhythm of posting and getting on the correct diagonal finally clicked! Rising up too high in the saddle was making me get off a beat, if that makes sense. I spent more time trotting and posting today than I have ever before--I was thrilled.

I don't think I stopped smiling once after that!

Near the end of my lesson my right knee and both ankles were starting to hurt. Tasha showed me some exercises to try to strengthen ankles and knees. I've had issues with my ankles all my life. In my late 20s I did a lot of cross-country skiing in the back country. I had to work with a personal trainer and special weights to get my ankles strengthened. I definitely have the same issue now on top of being older.

I'm just amazed at the benefits I've gotten already from just doing yoga and leisurely walking.

I was definitely a sight after barn chores and lessons-- my short hair was all messed up and skeewumpus; my clothes were stained with the slime of hay, my boots covered with poop and mud. But I suspect my cheeks were rosy and I had a big grin. I will never be young again; but there's hope I just may age well, be healthy and be able to do some of the things I love again.

Yup, I don't need to throw a javelin from the back of a horse--I'm just thrilled to be standing in my stirrups . . .

Mares Gone Wild

This morning as I turned off State Street in Lindon and headed down the long driveway to the stables, I noticed piles of horse manure all along the drive. This is unusual. I thought perhaps a horse had gotten out. I parked in front of the barn next to Tasha. As Niamh and I got our boots on, we noticed Tasha was stressed out while she spoke on her cell phone.

It turns out my guess about a horse getting out was partially right: all eight of the back paddock horses had escaped. Thank goodness the gate leading out to the street was locked or there might have been horses cruising up and down State Street.

To get them back to the paddock, Tasha told me she loaded up a bucket with grain and the party girls followed her back to the paddock.

I'm really glad she got to the stables first this morning (she usually does)--I'm not sure what Niamh and I would have done besides sit there, puzzled, and making vain attempts to get the horses back to the paddock.

Poor Cash, the resident stallion, was sweaty from pacing back and forth in his stall. Of course, all the escapees were mares--poor Cash--how he must have been filled with longing! I would NOT go into his stall to change his water until he'd been served up his morning hay to distract him. Don't get me wrong--Cash is a sweetheart of a stallion and Shauna has him well trained; however, this morning, the siren call of potential love and sex really had the poor boy longing to get out of his stall.

Niamh and I burst out laughing as we came around the corner of the barn to see the horses in the paddock. I've never see this before. They were all standing in a circle, facing each other. They looked absolutely guilty. Two of them--including Bitsy, the mare I ride--were lying down, just fat and stuffed. They'd gotten into the grain, nibbled on the hay, and we think they got into a bag of apples.

I don't know about you, but all those carbs would make me giddy!

The ground on the side of the barn was covered with hoof prints as was the gravel area we park in. Those girls really did have a party, tearing up the ground, nibbling the sides of the haystacks. 

I'm surprised they didn't T.P. the barn or something.

I was just about done watering when the gate to Bella's stall broke and fell off its hinges. It was a long time in coming, but still, it was inconvienant. Tasha put a new chain on the gate and positioned it so Bella couldn't get out. She thought about it, and decided we'd have to take out that section of fencing (it includes the gate) and replace it with a newer section. Tasha tied up Bella and Dream in the back of their stalls.

Tasha got a mallet and started wacking away, getting the pegs loose out of the brackets that held them. I helped her by pulling and pushing as needed. "If you're ever in a bad mood, just come down here, get this mallet and start pounding the dents out of the fences," she said.

We moved the old section of fencing against the barn wall. Then we went around to the other side of the barn and through a series of manuevers--we had to open the gate of one stall, then another--to get the fence section manuevered around the corner. I think what helped Tasha out was not my strength but pushing my sheer weight into the fence as we struggled to get it into place. Yes, for once being "morbidly obsese" was helpful!

It's times like this it's obvious I am 27 years older than Tasha! She sure is patient with me!

Once we got the fence into place and Tasha untied the horses, it seemed as though we should have had a bottle of wine or  a cake to celebrate! Niamh came out from the arena--she'd been riding Souix. Tasha told Niamh, "Hey, your mom is tougher than she looks."

Niamh gave her a skeptical smile! I have to admit, I felt a bit self-satisfied while knowing full well I'd be sore later. I really think the yoga I've been doing is giving me more flexibility and strength.

Before we left, Niamh and I walked over to the paddock again. Bitsy and Heartbreaker were lying down still. Bitsy slowly stood up--being middle-aged like me, she was a bit stiff.

Yeah, that's what you get for partying like a young filly, Bitsy.

What a day. Niamh and I chuckled all the way home about the party girls in the back paddock.

If I didn't sweat off some weight today, I'll be miffed.