Recap

At the end of my lesson, the instructor, Anna, asked me what I thought. I told her I wasn't sure if I was just really out of practice, or if Kaibab's trot was really very bouncy. She replied, "Yes, both." At least I'll be able to work on the practice part.

I wasn't nearly as sore the next day as I feared I might be. Not nearly as sore as I've been after some karate classes, though I'm not sure if that's saying I didn't hurt much, or I REALLY hurt after some karate classes. :)

I've got quite a few things I need to try think about next time I get on a horse. From the pictures, it looks like I was sitting too far back in the saddle, and that was the first thing Anna corrected after I mounted. I'm going to have to consciously sit further forward, my ankles are supposed to be under my hips, which should be under my shoulders. A straight line.

Also related to my seat, Anna was having me try to slow and halt Kaibab by tensing my stomach and seat. I don't think I actually did so well at that, more that Kaibab just didn't mind stopping when we didn't keep telling him to go.

There's trot.... Well, obviously staying on without a death grip on that strap needs to be worked on. I'm not sure what Anna has scheduled for next Saturday. In her place, I wouldn't let me touch the reins at a trot yet, but we'll have to see.

I don't think I specifically mentioned before, but Anna does specialize in dressage. I don't know that I will want to stay purely with dressage if I actually do advance in my riding, but dressage is the foundation for anything else I could want to do.