New from Dumfrieshire

[thelwell]

Hello,
umm . .  trying to think where to start. . .
I have been riding most of my life but have had few lessons and rode bareback a lot (often with only a halter) so it would be fair to call my style "gypo" but I am looking to improve. I got hold of a book called Dancing With Horses by a slightly gay looking German fellow called Hempfling. I really liked it  - though I know that collection of any kind, let alone on a loose rein, is a distant dream. I was also encouraged by the fact he didnt mind bareback - I have always been aware that riding bareback too much will ruin your seat.
Am now 43 and the proud owner of a "pikey pony" called Willow. I got her cheap as she is too difficult for kids/novices but too small for most adults. As I have arthritus I am trying to teach her to do downward transitions on a loose rein as her leaning on the bit is horribly painful (and makes me want to shoot her )
Although I havent had many lessons I have had occasional input from a couple of friends who are very good horsewomen. I am hopeful that I can learn a lot here, even if some of it will go over my head.
My favourite things are galloping and jumping so I am not really DQ material, but I find it very interesting and would like to become as light in my aids as possible. I am aware that without a truly independant seat i wont be able to school Willow to a high level. So, I guess, I am here for advice on that and some of Willow's bad habits and generally resistant attitude. Dont get me wrong, she is the best pony I have ever had and I think I actually do love her. On the hill she is amazing, but in the school . . . 

Here she is




Here is a link to a slideshow I made of our ride today so you can see her.
http://s1021.photobucket.com/albums/af333/tanithellis/long%20ride/?albumview=slideshow

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to ride a well schooled horse. OMG it was amazing:

[winnieandben]

Hi there and welcome  I live in Perthshire but my mum lives in Dumfries, it is lovely down there.

Your horse looks lovely 

[Taliessin]

  Hello and welcome!

Loved the slideshow, and Willow looks super!

[Peaches]

  Hi welcome to forum 

[TashaKat]

Hi and welcome  Willow is a real cutie 

[thelwell]

Hi, thanks for the welcome  - and the compliments re Willow.
I know she is no dressage prospect but she is a great, clever, hill pony and, my golly, she can jump!
Have been browsing around the forum and will be posting many tedius questions shortly.

[Icy Lady]

Hello and welcome   

[sarasfly]

Hello & welcome!    Willow is lovely 

[Hat Dancer]

Hello from Ayrshire 

[Heather]

Hi there and welcome!!

I passed through Dumfrieshire many times years ago, on my way to visit in laws in Northern Ireland. Havent been that way though for over 20 years now! But off to Aberdeen on Thurs to teach and do a clinic and lecture demo.

An independent seat is the safest and also the kindest to your pony as you are in control of your own body movements. Good on you for wanting to improve!

Heather

PS- Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling looks very different nowadays, but never was gay, is very straight and a happy family man! Two of our members have trained with him- a very esoteric character but a brilliant horseman

[thelwell]

Oh hecky doo - I was kidding about Hempfling and the dodgy '70s moustache. . . just a fashion thing. . .  Please forgive me
To be honest I would give my right arm to even see the guy, let alone train with him. Am currently on Youtube a lot looking at his types of horses to try to figure out which one is Willow and wondering if he would laugh her out of town. I don't think so, but it would be good to have some insight as to what she is best suited to and the best way to treat her outside of my own knowledge of and love for her.

[Davlin]

Hello and welcome!

Looking at that slideshow... Beautiful area, wish there were some actual woods around here to get lost in rather than 10 trees in a field and call it a forest.

Great slideshow though, almost felt like I was there. 

[guinea pig]

Hi,

Lovely horse and fantastic outriding! The slideshow was great, it must be fantastic to be able to ride in those woods.

I know what you mean about riding something well schooled and having an arena would also be a big plus!

[shoveltrash]

hi & welcome!

what a lovely pony .  your background sounds similar to mine - as a child i grew up hooning around bareback, and jumping, and that's about IT

however i will say, *dressage* done correctly is actually very beneficial for ANY horse/rider. 
Nix77 said in her blog "horses are more beautiful and wonderful to ride when they are highly fit and trained..."
i agree, plus correct training extends the longevity, health, and soundness of a horse .
(sorry for the ramble, that's one of my favorite topics )

again, WELCOME

[Nix77]

I am embarrassed my blethering has made it off my blog!

lovely pony, and i like its dapples!