May 1, 2011 - All aboard!

The weather was nice, the barn was quiet and the barn owner was on the property today.  After grooming and tacking up I left Rory on the crossties for a minute and went and asked the BO if she minded coming to keep an eye on us for a few minutes.  Her son came too, probably hoping for some fireworks.  Rory was a star longeing again today.  This time both big doors in the arena were wide open and although he looked outside he was paying attention to me and responding well.  When I get on a horse for the first time I want it to be a boring, non-event.  If I think the horse is likely to do anything silly for whatever reason, I won't get on that day.  Today looked like a good day.

I reviewed jumping up beside him and leaning on the saddle, and then stepped up to lie over the saddle (with helmet this time, and person watching!)

Rory moved as I put my foot in the stirrup and I walked him around the block just to ease the "strain" of standing still for too long, then draped myself over the saddle again.

First mounting part one:
1) Rory was distracted by the end of the lead rope dangling under his chin after I tied it back to his halter for "reins"
2) Stepping up
3) Lying on the saddle again, but leaving my foot in the stirrup so I can...
4) ...swing my leg over. keeping my body low and close to where he's seen me before.

First mounting part two:
5) The instant my butt hits the saddle I pull my foot out of the stirrup and
6-7) ...jump down
8) Carrot time of course!

Second mounting:
1) Rory turned his head to see what I was doing this time
2) Swinging over with my body a little higher this time
3) Butt in saddle, foot out of stirrup and pause, sitting quietly for a second or two.
4) Then dismounting on the right

Third mounting:
1) Rory's unconcerned and takes a look at the mounting block as I swing up
2) He noses my right foot and tries to untie my boot lace
3) Sitting quietly for a bit and giving him a pat
4) Dismounting

I usually quit after three times mounting up because I'm getting tense waiting for something to happen and I want to quit before transmitting that to the horse, but with Rory I was feeling more relaxed so I did one more.

Fourth mounting:
1)  I'd moved Rory a bit after the third mounting and the block was a little far forward, but he didn't seem to mind my awkward moves to get ready
2) Swinging up
3) Foot out of stirrup and sitting quietly
4)  Wiggling the saddle left and right
5) Slowly leaning out to the left...
6) ... and then to the right
7) Dismounting to the right

Installing the "leg means go" aids

After all the excitement, I started my "leg means forward" exercise.  It's a crappy picture lifted off the video, but I have the reins bridged in my left hand at his withers, and the right holding the stirrup leather above the iron so I can tap his side with my hand/wrist.  Rory seems to already know this - it's very similar to the one-sided steering exercises we've done in the past.  I also started putting a little pressure on both reins when I wanted him to whoa since he was so comfortable about going forward and steering.

On the way out Rory grabbed the cones while I picked up my camera.