A Riding Instructor’s Diary

“I’m so busy I’m not sure if I’ve found a  lead rope or lost my horse.” Unknown

Oh the shame…. of not blogging since the end of April! Lets see…I have been crazy! Since we last encountered via the Blogsphere, I have had a birthday. Also had yet another round of antibiotics for sinus infection, three torn lower trapezium muscles in my back. (I was only out of work one day with the back. Thank goodness! I wasn’t even riding when I hurt myself! I just turned the wrong way cleaning stalls. Ok, the day before I did help  move the bullpen which may have complicated the issue. Details, minor details.) Alison and I attended the weekend Parelli clinic with Jasper and Scooter. I have had a water pipe leak below ground between the ring and the road resulting in turning the water off for three days except to water the horses and dogs. I stayed at my sisters house because I didn’t have water in my barn apartment.  I have had septic tank and field line problems. I have had two sick horses, one pet emergency clinic visit for Willimena’s (dog) cut ear. The farrier came and shod 10 horses. I have been kicked in the leg cleaning stalls and hit in the face with a horses head. I rescheduled lesson times for everyone for summer. Colleen and I started the new Summer Schedule with a 5:30AM wake up call to start work at 6:30AM. Rise and Shine students….it is Summer! I have welcomed many new students and taught a blue zillion lessons.

Am I the poster child for allergy season or WHAT? I am feeling much better with rest and the antibiotics for my sinus infection.   I told one of my student’s parents today that my work environment sometimes interferes with my health…..specifically my allergies. Hay, Sawdust, Dander, Horse and Dog Hair, Spring….you get the picture. Thanks for all the positive thoughts during my illness. Hopefully, this will be the last round of medicine and my last sinus infection for the year.

Monday was a remarkable day with four lovely ladies riding at the academy. Three adult: Alison, Scarlett, and Jennie and one youth: Rachel. They all did very well and was a great way to start my week out. I just wanted to share with Jennie and everyone that cantering in a tea cup is a good thing. A teacup canter is a slow smooth canter. LOL

Tuesday was just as exciting with two adult lessons (Jon, Mandy) and three youth (Cydney, Morgan, and Michaela). Jon continues to improve with no paperclip bending moves this week. I think he has got this posting thing down! He actually got off feeling good about his ride on Sassy. (Most adult students are self critical even if I am tickled pink with their progress. It’s an adult student thing.) Mandy rode briefly but needs to ride regularly to knock off the dust that’s accumulated over the winter! It’s almost time…horse show time Ms. Mandy. Cydney was a superstar even if the wind scared the spots off of Spot. She remained calm when he got scared. I was so proud of her. Morgan rocked her lesson! I want Morgan to start taking during the week instead of the weekend. She was so on task and focused yesterday. She could be the Ride of the Week! Michaela was my last lesson and she never ceases to amaze me. She is so bright and smart and progressing wonderfully. She brought me a lovely picture she had made and a beautiful bible verse.

Wednesday brought three youth lessons (Lillian, Lorah, Makayla)  and one adult (Jen).  Lillian worked hard for me although she said she was tired when we started. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep! A rested rider is a good rider. We pretended she was posing in a painting (still but not stiff) during her ride. Lorah was next. Lorah’s progress fills my heart with joy!  She had an excellent ride on Jasper today. Her range of motion continues to improve. Nice Work Lorah! Makayla followed with an outstanding performance during her lesson earning her two superstar stickers. We pretended to ride Jasper to McDonald’s, order, pay for our food and then ride across town (or down the hallway depending on your perspective) to the other McDonald’s to get ice cream. I am glad to report her right leg and best friend ”Anna” and her left leg and best friend “Carson” were in perfect position for riding today. It’s fun to be 5!  She is also in the running for Ride of the Week! My last lesson on Wednesday was my dear sweet Jen. She had an excellent ride and was happy with it! She loves to canter! Angela didn’t ride this week but did stop by for a visit Wednesday evening.

As always, I am blessed to do what I love most…instruct and be with my lovely and not so lovely  horses.

Trotting… on the correct lead…. is not usually acceptable at the show.