Hi, all,
Well, I've returned to the city after a week in the mountains.
It was simply great! Especially thanks to the SBS - we rode on ancient army saddles, most from 1900 to 1950.
The scenery was awesome, the weather pretty good, and the fellow riders were by and large very pleasant company. All managed to trot and canter without falling off, although a couple fell off because they forgot to tighten the girth.
One poor bloke wanted to slow his tiny Icelandic as we cantered but pulled the reins up instead of towards his hip and ended up pacing - a gait which is faster than canter and bumpier than trot! (Both left legs move together, as do the right ones)
We all though it was hilarious as he screamed past us, arms and legs flapping all over the place! He was a good sport, though and laughed once he managed to stop
Most of the trip was walking due to the terrain. We crossed innumerable rivers, creeks and mud patches. Some hills were so steep that I had to grab the mane with both hands, standing up and leaning over the mane. Some downhill sections were too steep to ride and we lead the horses down.
But we did get some trot every day, and cantering on gravel roads. On Friday we were split up into smaller groups, and I went with 4 others that were keen to canter as much as possibe. So we did!
Unfortunately both of the horses I rode had incredibly short strides, much like a pony I guess, so I didn't get to practice sitting trot as much as I would have liked. As for rising trot it was nearly impossible as such a repetition rate and uneven ground. But I'm sure the workshop helped nevertheless. The canter was ok, but quite hard and the horse always pointed to one side as the quarter stepped out a bit. When I changed rein it pointed to the other side.
As for sideways movement there was none. The horses I rode simply did not understand these things, even canter transitions was asking a bit too much. I could either trot faster and faster by using legs or clucking, or stand in the stirrups.
And the horse got grumpy if he didn't get the reins to himself, so I had to comply to avoid bucking, snorting, head shakes and such. He even got stroppy when we trotted very fast in a single file with his head touching the tail in front.
Then one day he shook his head because the reins were too long, and nothing but short reins and light contact would keep him happy
But it was a great experience, and I'll probably do the trip again next year! They'll be changing it a bit I think so we get more cantering
There are some pictures on the NR photo album on MSN, and a thread on NR, too (slightly different to this one).
photosI rode Nordheimblesa (or just Blesa) and the one in Maurvangen4 (Teigjo). Sorry the picture names are in Norwegian... So here's a quick lesson: Leier means to lead, beite means grazing area, sover means sleeping, foss means waterfall. Haugseter and Maurvangen are places we stayed at.
Check out Fjordvind - such a fairytale horse, red with long blond mane and tail.
Well, enjoy the pictures,
Olav
