I always love it when Pro gets six solid days of good work. :) Yesterday was the sixth day. I'm sure he was probably a little weary of seeing me, especially since Wednesday was the lesson so we've been working hard since then. Unfortunately for us, the ring was a bit crowded due to Big Horse having a lesson and Tara and I were riding. Big Horse can't really turn (think, turning radius of a school bus...) so it's hard to stay out of his way. If he cuts in front of us (often!!!) I had to slam on the brakes - very irritating.
Anyway, Pro was good for most of the ride. Big Horse was more distracted by Pro than vice versa, so I was pleased. When passing, Pro would keep his head down and keep focused, and Big Horse would slow to a walk and turn his head like, "Hey guyz...who's that?". So I think Pro and I were a tiny bit distracted by the whole thing, but it was an overall good ride. These days he starts off not by cranking his head in the air like he used to (for 3 seconds until I would put it down), but doing his new thing - rushing so I can't plug my seatbones in. We resolved this within a 20m circle lap, and then he was okay with it. We practiced the no-lean/no-pull transitions at the walk-halt and trot-walk, and some general sitting trot with energy. See Andrea, with energy!!! :)
He's been a little evasive at the canter about letting me plug my seatbones in. He's realized (smart pony) that when I'm able to plug in, there's work and *gasp*...self carriage!!!...involved. And no, we just can't have that! He did give me some good work eventually, so I left that alone and went back to my transitions.
I tried a few trotting poles but mainly Big Horse and his lesson took up so much of the arena (strategically, just where I wanted to go at every moment) that it was difficult to squeeze them in. Pro started to anticipate turning left or right after the poles so I then did the poles, halted from the trot, and THEN turned. That seemed to help.
We did have one minor scuffle at the end but in fairness, Big Horse had just cut him off RIGHT after the poles and he got really flustered because we had to slam on the brakes. Aaargh. So then when I wanted a trot transition, he gave me a big buck. We worked a few more minutes and he seemed to get over it.
The one thing, overall, that concerned me was my dizziness is back...full force, for some reason. More at the walk, sometimes at the trot. STILL can't figure that one out. I've asked everyone under the sun...doctors, biology professors, my physical therapist, riding instructors, trainers, etc. No one has any clue. It was so annoying today that I actually stopped what I was doing, halted, and tried to take big slow breaths. Guess we'll see.
And now Pro, enjoy your rest day today. :)
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8 comments:
This is gonna sound wacky, but certain foods make me dizzy. Anything w/ MSG, honestly. I also feel short of breath, fidgety, and nervous.
As for the regular work, isn't it amazing how they come around? Why must other stuff get in the way of our horse hobby???
Kate, have you ever tried a classical homeopath? I have had good success with odd stuff over the years using that approach.
Susan Delaney in Carrboro is wonderful.
You are inspiring to get 6 days in a row in - I aim to alternate every day but will be in S. Pines for 5 days later this week and that's going to cut into my riding AND my gym time. (I have no excuse not to do yoga and Pilates however..:)
Good boy for Pro listening to you! (Except for the buck...) It sounds like overall things went well!
Are you just dizzy when you ride? Just at walk and trot? (...and I am guessing inner ear has been mentioned ...) ???
I can't imagine trying to do actual work in the ring with Big Horse and Tara both in there. Tara and I were talking on Sat about how much space Big Horse takes, especially during his lessons.
Sounds like that last lesson was a real turning point! Now it needs to be Thurs so I can do some REAL riding!
I'm glad each ride gets better and better! It's all about the steps forward, no matter how tiny they seem.
I've heard good things about homeopaths, though I've never been to one. I'll occasionally get dizzy, but never on horseback, so I'm not much help there. Sorry!
Hmmm...I'm not sure it's food, since the dizziness is only when I ride. It's happened since I was 16 - on all horses, all saddles, all seasons, all gaits. Haven't tried homeopath but I'll have to look into it. :) Gayle suggested inner ear...but I'm not quite sure how to treat it if that's the case. And it really is ONLY when I ride.
Pro's fainting was due to his vagus nerve, but I think I've ruled out my vagus, since I never actually pass out. And it's not a "blackness" dizziness, more like a woozy "whoaaaaaa" type deal.
Hmmm, sounds like a real puzzle, Kate. I had some dizziness issues a while back, the same woozy type you are describing, and mine was inner ear due to allergies. I was put on Nasonex and it worked very well. I'm not sure that yours would be the same since it is only when you ride. Maybe some type of motion sickness? I would think weirder things have happened. Have you tried using something for motion sickness to see if that helps?
Kate- you have BEEN to an ENT, right? If not, go there first and get them to check you out!
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