11/10/2005 - Thursday, 12 PM

• Worked on standing/sitting again to find balance and be able to stand without holding onto anything

• Made spiraling circles at one end, going from small to large, making circles as round as possible

• Need to learn to keep hands soft and quiet while riding - too much jerky hand movements going on

• Learned to count steps and tell easily which foot was stepping when, even over poles and backing up/stopping/walking forward, with eyes closed

• Rode horse a bit with eyes closed - totally new perspective!

• Learned to trot - went over procedures and what to expect, then learned to ask for the trot

• Leaned forward too much at first, while free trotting around the arena

• Got on lunge line to control trot, held onto saddle, and then dropped stirrups to discover balance

• Complained of moving up and down at first, bouncing around a lot

• By the end of the lesson, learned more to follow the horse's movement and relax and move in harmony with her instead of against her movement, going side to side with her steps instead of up and down

• Did well over all.....learned a lot, and trotting is a big step to take!! It's just going to take time....and lots and lots of work!! :)

11/3/2005 - Thursday, 12 PM

• Review of last lesson, did well with haltering and leading

• Review of saddling/bridling/grooming process, and safety rules

• Mounted very well, and got the dismount right too!

• Learned more about body position and posture

• Learned the importance of standing and getting the correct alignment, also practiced standing

• Practiced standing while at a halt, did pretty well finding balance, but had more difficulty at a walk....keep practicing, and you'll get it!

• Worked on steering around cones and backing up, and also learned more about head and posture of the horse, horse behavior, hand position, leg position, and the way horse react to different situations.

• You ask a lot of questions, John...and that's good, cause that's the quickest way to learn!!

10/27/2005 - Thursday, 12 PM

• First lesson ever!!

• Learned haltering and how to hold lead rope, not to loop lead rope over hand or arm, and which side to lead on

• Learned leading and tying rules

• Learned how to groom horse and how to act around horse/safety rules

• Saddled and bridled horse and learned parts and other rules

• Leaned how to mount and dismounting, and do's and don'ts

• Walked, in round pen

• Learned to steer, weave in and out of cones, stop, back up

• Learned how to take saddle and bridle off, and also more safety rules

• Off to a good start, John! Enjoy the journey!