A Big Win Today...for us both.

[NoniMe]

Oh, I had such a great day.....I really wanted to get Tango out and about today, because he's getting floated tomorrow and I doubt he will be in a mood to do anything for a few days. But Sharon wasn't there, and wouldn't be able to come out and ride him. And if she's not there, I don't ride, either.

So I was moping about, when the trainer that I will have Tango with in a few weeks (for a month) came over and gave me some pointers on how to lunge him better. Seems he had finished with the other horses, so he was just watching. I asked him if he wanted to give a lesson, he said when, I said now, he said sure...

He took Tango into the big round pen, and did some ground work with him. Got him to listen, to do what he asked, and then saddled him up. In a western saddle. Tango's expression was priceless...he kept looking back at his hiney and trying to figure out what this huge thing was on him...and why there was so much of it (it's a roping saddle...). The trainer got Tango to walk, and then trot, and you could see Tango was concerned about this big saddle. Then the trainer took him to a canter...and Tango wasn't bucking, just kept jumping a bit every time he realized the saddle was still there and still on him and still big. Tango finally realized it was neither going away or going to hurt him, and settled down nicely. So nicely that he took the bridle peacefully and easily.

The trainer got on, showed me everything we were going to do tonight, from how to mount to whoa'ing him and staying off his mouth and face (he knows about the bridle war), and told me he wanted to see what Tango would do on a figure 8, so took him out at a canter. Tango did the flying lead change one way, and then the next, without ever even thinking about it, keeping gentle and soft the whole time. I nearly fell over - even wee Sharon wasn't able to get him to do a flying lead change...and the trainer grinned. Told me "this boy has some training, doesn't he?" and hopped off. "Your turn now," and there I was, standing next to my boy...

The trainer looked at me, and said "what's the thing that's scaring you, right now?" and I blurted out "well, he's just been cantering, what if he canters and then takes off with me?" The trainer looked at me nicely, and said "I've broken lots of bones. I know it hurts, and I understand. You're not going to get hurt today, not with me here, and I'll teach you how to stop him the first thing. I won't move away until I know you're all right. Deal?" And I nodded. Took a breath, got onto the little stool thing, and stuck my foot into the stirrup (goodness, western stirrups are BIG!!!). One, two, three...and there I was, atop my mighty steed. Who, by the way, was standing as quietly and patiently as you please...

We went through the mechanics of how to flex him, when to release, and what to 'feel' for. Then we went through the mechanics of the one-rein stop. I got the hang of it, and Tango was game - standing and flexing and just being a dear one for me. It was like he knew I was on unfamiliar territory, and was being as patient with me as ever a horse could be. The trainer, who is also a black belt like me in the same style, reminded me to breathe from my belly and not my throat, and told me to use the same breathing technique used in the advanced exercises we practiced.

So I asked Tango to walk on...and he did. We stopped after a few steps, using the one rein technique, and did that about 5 times on each side. Feeling far more confident, the trainer told me to bring him to a trot. Yikes. All right, and squeezed his sides, and off he went, into a trot...and I had the devil of a time keeping only one hand on the reins...so I held onto the saddle horn, and tried to find the posting timing. I sat down on him, and Tango, without me flexing him, or using even one rein, stopped right away.

Then, it happened. I was supposed to bring him to a trot, so I did. When I felt him slowing down, I apparently confused my signals. Instead of clucking (I cannot cluck to save my life) to keep him trotting, I kissed, and Tango broke into a canter. Quick as that - blammo, I was cantering on my boy. And just as quickly, I said "deleted", slid one hand down the rein, and brought him to a good, solid stop. I was so proud of myself that I didn't even feel any real fear; just "nope, not going to happen, one rein thingy now" and we were stopped.

After that, we spent about 15 minutes working on trotting and stopping, and trying to find the posting rythm. I kept only one hand on the reins, and whenever I got confused or felt Tango deciding to go faster than I wanted, I'd stop him and we'd start again. We accidentally cantered probably about three more times, but I was able to stay in front of it and not let Tango run away with me. Finally, Tango did an entire lap around the ring at a steady fast trotting gait, and I was able to get a few properly timed posts in, and we decided to finish on that big win.

I dismounted, hugged Tango, and then hugged the trainer. I was so proud of my boy, and so proud of myself. And the trainer was grinning, and told me I had done excellently, and that he was pleased - he thought I'd be too scared to let Tango get a stride before I stopped him...and was happy that I did.

I can't tell you how proud I am of my boy - a different (and likely a style never worn by him) saddle, a new trainer, and me, bouncing around on his back...he did it all...and his ears were always towards me, he wasn't tense, didn't lose his focus on me even when my friend took some photos with the flash on, didn't even flinch when the barn dog basically ran right in front of him...just did everything like he's been doing it for years.

And I'm proud of me, too...I rode my boy, and really worked hard at being relaxed and quiet and off his mouth and learn the new stuff. And what's even better is that I feel far more confident that I can stop him if needed, and that I can be on his back without being petrified he's going to go flying around and fling me off. And we weren't on the lunge line...it was all me and my boy...and even though he twice headed for the fence, I was able to get the outside foot inside rein thing going on, so he didn't take me there (although he was indeed trying to do just that...).

I have to get up early so to be at the barn for the floating, but I just had to stay up and post this - to let you all know how great it was today. And yes, I'm going to be taking many more lessons with this trainer - apparently, he rides english, as well, and can teach me that when the time comes. For now, I'm going to use whatever saddle I can (either my own english, or borrow a western from a friend at the barn), and practice what I've learned.

I wonder if I'll ever come down from this natural high?? I swear, I'm floating off the ground...grinning ear to ear, thinking about how great it was to be riding my mighty steed and being a bit more in charge of the whole thing. I am just so happy right now...and it was important that Tango know that I am his rider, too...and that I don't always need a lunge line on him, either.

Such a big win...YAYAY us!!!

Best-
Noni

[dixie]

Hurray for you and tango - sounds like a great day.

[annem]

Congratulations. You are doing awsome. Keep it up.

[alihspharaoh]

That is so awesome! You should be very proud of yourself! GOOD JOB!!!!!

[David]

Hey , I just wanted to say congrats and mention that maybe this trainer is just the thing you needed. He sounds like Tango and he really clicked, and that means a lot when it comes to teaching a horse. Also, hopefully you'll get more comfortable with riding and have many more enjoyable rides.

[KatieMae]

This trainer sounds like a winner!! And you two will come so far with practice. I remember when I started riding english, after riding western for 3 years... I'd sit at school counting imaginary strides in my head, and posting trot beats instead of multiplying fractions or studying my vocabulary.. There's so much to learn for you two; and even myself. I have so much more to learn still. Nothing comes easy, and yes you have to drill the basics, but you can't drill too hard. Keep those play days coming in between lessons and you'll have a happy horse forever

Congratulations to the both of you!

[Diamond_Y]

Great news, Noni! I'm excited for you!

[beckyp]

Way to go Noni!! Sounds like the trainer is a great guy,and he was a tremendous help to both Tango and you. I can ride my TB in both western and English saddle,and with the English one I am working on posting and have actually got Dancer cantering,it was scary but he didn't hestitate to slow down when I ask with the reins. Keep up the good work!!

[gbarmranch]

Great job...

[beezwing]

: roses:

Way to go...

the one rein stop is a lifesaver. The trainer sounds like a winner..way to go
k

[Touche]

I have noticed that after the big battles at first, your progress is coming so much quicker.
I am so proud of you and Tango!

[Jess6092]

YAY Tango and Noni!! Congratulations! Isn't that just the best feeling! See we all knew that if you just stuck with it you would both come through with a big victory! I am so glad that you found such a great trainer to work with, it sounds like you should be expecting many more victories in the near future!

[NoniMe]

Thanks, you guys. I know it's not all that much - it was just one lesson, just one time...and I am positive it will not always be as positive and wonderful as it was last night.

But it's a start...and it was sooooooo important that I be on him, that I ride him, especially after the recent bridle war. Yes, the wins are coming a bit faster, but it's still a long road; that's all right...we've got the rest of our lives. It was important that I somehow break the stagnation we'd come to. And the longer I'm off him, it seems, the more time I have to think 'well, I can't do this, what if he does that, or the other thing...' and get myself all twisted up inside and get scared of breaking things again.

That he and the trainer like each other as well as me and the trainer like each other...well, that's a good thing. I know he wasn't fond of the first trainer, but I know he adores wee Sharon. I was so surprised he did the lead changes without throwing a trot in there - and that just goes to show he's remembering some of the training, and can do it when he's willing. And he was such a good boy!!

I can't wait until I get him into the 30 day training...it's going to make such a huge difference in him. And I'll be more confident, too. And don't worry, Katie, we'll have plenty of play days...I promise.

It's a start. And it's well started. And yes, I'm still high this morning.

Now, just to get through the floating...

Best-
Noni

[kindredspiritsia]

This just made my day. I am so happy for the both of you. What a great accomplishment. Keep it up!

[seerfarm]

Noni, Great job!!!! Proud to hear you and Tango are making such leaps and bounds in your training. Keep this up, and you and Tango will graduate out of "The Standing Equestrian Drill Team"...

[Appylover]

Whooopeee!!! For you and The Tango Mango!! LOL! Just kiddin about the mango. But really Congrats or kudos to you and your 4 legged man!!! WOO HOO! I had to add this

I was so proud of myself that I didn't even feel any real fear; just "nope, not going to happen, one rein thingy now" and we were stopped.

Once again congrats! It feels soo good to do what you did, doesnt it!!!???

[NoniMe]

Originally Posted by seerfarm

Noni, Great job!!!! Proud to hear you and Tango are making such leaps and bounds in your training. Keep this up, and you and Tango will graduate out of "The Standing Equestrian Drill Team"...

Nope...we're the Captains. We can't graduate. We might broaden our horizons, but trust me when I say he really is still very good at standing still.

LOL!

Best-
Noni

[NoniMe]

Thank you, Kindredspiritsia - I appreciate it very much!!

Originally Posted by Appylover

Whooopeee!!! For you and The Tango Mango!! LOL! Just kiddin about the mango. But really Congrats or kudos to you and your 4 legged man!!! WOO HOO! I had to add this

Once again congrats! It feels soo good to do what you did, doesnt it!!!???

Tango mango...yeah, that works! I have a mango tree outside my front door - I wonder if he'd like the taste? Might have to give that a try and see!

Yes, it does feel good to do what we did. It's things like this that make me come back and try again after days like the Bridle War...when I get so low that I think I should just quiddit. Then I remember these moments, and I can keep moving forward and trying again - I know it's in him, and I know it's in me...it's just a matter of getting it out more consistently than the bad stuff. And all that is, really, is a matter of time, too...the more wins we can have between bouts of temper (his and mine) the better off we'll be.

I'm still dancing...

Best-
Noni

[instigatorkate]

Congrats! I'll bet it's going to just about kill you to stay off him for a couple days after the floating

When I was learning, I used to go over my lessons over and over in my head in a very detailed/visualization-based manner. I only had one a week, and I had to make it last and get the most out of each lesson. Granted I was younger, but still fully grown. The instructor said she had never seen anyone progress so rapidly. I think it was becuse each lesson I rode physically, I rode it over again dozens of times mentally. So maybe that can help get you through until you can practice on Tango again.

[KatieMae]

Originally Posted by NoniMe

It was important that I somehow break the stagnation we'd come to. And the longer I'm off him, it seems, the more time I have to think 'well, I can't do this, what if he does that, or the other thing...' and get myself all twisted up inside and get scared of breaking things again.

That's when you just need to take a few deep breaths and center yourself. Don't rush. And if he does do this or that, it's experience for the both of you. Always expect the unexpected in riding. Don't look at it like you're going to break anything on that horse. Look at it like this "Well if I try it this way, maybe we'll learn something new, and if not then at least I tried."

You've done fine with this so far, just keep going