Riding Barebacked

 This week we rode barebacked! 

   Barebacked is when you ride without a saddle (the seat).

Billy and I

Kris and Nuha

It was easier than I expected, even though I fell off my horse three times! Luckily, I was riding Billy, who wasn't that tall. I had so much fun trying this out. 

I can't wait until next time.

Aisha

Out For A Hack

 This week we rode out to a park near the stables. We really enjoyed because it was our first time out. Nuha rode Bobby and I rode Olaf.

Aisha

First Jumps

 This week for horse riding we did jumps. They weren't very high as they were our first jumps but we enjoyed them a lot and we are really looking forward to some more. I was riding Pablo and Nuha was riding Olaf.

Pablo and I jumping

After the jump

Nuha and Olaf jumping

Aisha

Learning To Canter

For riding this week we are finally learning to canter. A canter is almost the fastest pace of a horse, second only to a gallop. It is a three-beat pace, which means that there are three footfalls in it. To canter you put your outside leg (which is the leg closer to the fence of the arena) behind the girth (a girth is the strap around the horses belly that holds the saddle on), squeeze with both legs, and say "canter on".

Me cantering

Nuha cantering

   I feel like we are progressing well. In just a few months we have gone from walking on a lead rope, then walking and trotting by ourselves, to sitting trot, and walking and trotting without stirrups(we do this to improve our balance), then cantering. 

   It's supposed to be much more comfortable than a bumpy trot, but since Nuha fell of on her first canter I'm not sure she would agree. Despite the weather being grizzly we are really enjoying our recent lessons. This week I rode Lady (who is my favourite horse) and Nuha rode Kristoff.

Nuha and Kris

Lady and I

Aisha

Tacking Up For the First Time

This week at the stables, I helped tack up a horse, where I had to put the saddle and bridle on. I also groomed him, which is one of my favourite activities. I also got to groom Billy, one of my favourite horses, and Mini, the cutest tiniest Shetland. Our horse care instructor is great and we are learning so much from her.  During our riding lesson, we practiced an obstacle course which our horses handled really well. 

A saddle and bridle

Grooming brushes

                          

Me grooming Mini

"Grooming time Kristoff!"

"Look at the camera. Please?"

    

"Walk on."

"Don't touch the poles."

"Good boy, Pablo."

As usual, I can't wait until next time. 

Nuha

Grooming Horses and Picking Hooves

                                        

Although we have been taking horse riding lessons for several weeks now, we have only recently started horse care lessons. We love them, love them, love them! We have learnt how to use all of the brushes for grooming the horses and how to pick horse's hooves.

I was really surprised with the different brushes there were  and the different uses: 

                                       

   Plastic/ Rubber Curry Comb

    Plastic and rubber curry combs have the same function. They are the first brushes you use on a horse, to get mud off its coat. Don't use on the legs.

Plastic Curry Comb

                                                         

Rubber Curry Comb

Dandy Brush

Dandy brushes are also used for getting dirt and mud off. They are a relatively harsh brush so don't use one on a thin skinned horse. 

Dandy Brush

Body Brush

Use body brushes all over the body (except the face) including mane and tail. The brushes vary in thickness so use a softer one on a summer coat than a winter coat.

Body Brush

                                                Face Brush                                                

As the name implies, use this brush for the horses face but not on the nose, eyes, or mouth.

Face Brush

Metal Mane Comb

Used to untangle mane. 

Metal Mane Comb

                                                                    Water Brush

Used to lay a horses mane and tail to keep it neat and tidy.

Water Brush

Sponges

There are two sponges, one for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and one for the dock area under the tail. Make sure the sponges are clean before they are used.

Sponges

Hoof Pick

A hoof pick is one of the most essential parts off a grooming kit. You pick out a horses feet at least twice a day. There is a sensitive part in the hoof called the frog where all the blood flow is connected to and you only use the brush side of the hoof pick for that.

Hoof Pick

Last week I rode Molly and Nuha rode Bobby.

"Come on Molly, move it!"

Molly and I

"Time for your grooming Billy!"

Nuha and Bobby

Aisha