Riding Bareback

I've discovered that when riding bareback, you feel your horse amazingly more than when in a saddle. I never really knew that..in fact, Lazarus is the horse that I've ridden most bareback because I can. Meaning, I have the time with him to learn new things, try new things.

Over the winter, we did light riding in the snow, within the arena and I was able to jump on

top of his furried back, with my cuddle duds-jeans-wool socks-ugg boots-ski jacket-wool hat-scarf deer skin gloves outfit. Not much room for a saddle might I add. We did fine, but it was sloooow riding, just walking and some light trotting thru the snow.

(picture above is from Jan 2009..brrrrr)

Last week, I rode him totally bareback which is not as fun I disc

overed. With his bony back and withers (shoulders) driving into my crotch as I still work on my balance and leg strength, I found I probably hurt him along with myself. I had opted for the bare back riding last week, because Laz is klutzy and has three long healing wounds right where his girth would go, so I opted to not girth him, hence, channelled my inner Native American girl "Poca." Poca ached at age 32 and thought, next time I'm using a pad on that back!

(picture above is from Laz's 8th birthday, April 2009)

Today, we used my plush thick (ahhhhh) bareback pad. So cushy, so nice, so purple (gag but limited colors available). Definitely hurt a lot less for us both. He seemed more content with me bouncing around and I felt a whole lot better as well. No driving shark finn into my gut or pelvic bone when he spooked suddenly or when slowing him down from a canter. Again, I know, as time progresses and I get my rider's legs back, my balance will keep me upright...but no judging, ok?! I'm trying! ;)

So today we worked alone in the big sand arena today (I always, always ride with people around..they were in barn, cleaning or grooming etc) but alone outside in the arena. I am working on my confidence as a rider and a guide for Lazarus. Some days are better than others. Today was a great day. It didn't start out that way, however, as when I initally hopped on, he spooked at a butterfly and almost tossed me. Yes, butterflies have seven rows of teeth for those of you that don't know!! So, I re-aligned myself on his back and started him into a nice working walk. Then after a few minutes, decided to give my little man a job. I have found (thru the knowledge of Cheryl my trainer/friend) that he does better with a 'job.' He is able to focus and push thru fear and I found, that I am too. So, we started a nice little trot. But something was off; I wasn't breathing!! Ugh..I was consumed again with this new adult fear of "what will happen next? When I do finally fall, it's going to hurt! Are there more damn butterflies swirling around?!!" It's easy to get lost in those negative thoughts BUT I chose to focus on what was actually happening in the moment; which was pure wonderful riding that needed me for good communication. To force myself to breath, I started singing a great tune I was just listening to by 'Carolina Liar.' Just like that, we were reconnected and all my fears melted away. I think Laz actually likes my voice too as his ears cocked back to listen curiously.

We rode for over an hour, of mainly trotting. We worked deep into the scary corners of the arena by the road, where monsters live in the pine trees with no major blow ups by Lazarus. We trotted circles and circles, worked on bending and flexing and weaving in and out of cones and serpentines and figure 8's and basically pretended to win the Gold for Dressage done in purple bareback pads. I then trotted him over some poles that were flat on the ground, which he obediently jumped over which was fun! The next several times over the poles he learned he could just step over it at a trot and opted to do that instead. The surprise jump was thrilling though I must say! Brought back the fun hunter/jumper days for me! We even cantered a few times and he is learning that a kiss is different than a cluck, and picks up his canter nicely. Being an off the track Thoroughbred (OTTB), he hasn't learned his correct leads. But that wasn't today's lesson, today was a fun hack and for him to understand my leg and hand cues. It's our language. We speak it together and sometimes we don't understand each other correctly, but we both try and listen and learn...and for amazing moments in time, we carry a lengthy conversation of silent communication. Sigh. My legs touching him cuing him to move over, his ears tipping back listening, his sighs, his grunts all mean something and each time we are together, we understand more.

Today, I learned, as I gave him a juicy apple after our ride that he likes me to step on the apple to break it apart for him. So I do now and will always. He had spit the apple out when I gave him to him originally whole, mouthed it a bit, turned it around and dropped it and nudged it. Once I had it cracked in two pieces, he happily chomped on it slurping and drooling everywhere. Oh, that was another surprise..I didn't know horse's drool!

(picture above is from last week, July 09)

After a long and difficult work week, the peace I felt today after our sweet and lovely ride together was the best medicine. Thank you Laz.