September 21, 2016

Lesson Wrap-Up: My Mom Takes a Lesson!

This post makes me SO HAPPY to write!

I have written before that my mom grew up riding in Chicago, and is the reason I love horses at all.

Another photo I can't use often enough: my mom meeting American Pharoah last winter
Somewhere along the way, her horse became her psychiatrist and she lost the nerve to ride.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I knew she'd be so happy if I could get her back on a horse, and specifically in a controlled environment on a nice quiet horse.

So when she came over for our "all horse weekend," I asked my trainer if she would give my mom a "low speed lunge lesson" as an early birthday present for my mom.  She agreed, and I asked if we should use a really worn out Connor, or our saint of a draft cross, Louie.  She said, "I think Louie is our man here... ;)"  (Connor: not suitable for children or mothers)

And that's how this happened:


Look at that smile!  I don't know who smiled more the whole time, me or her.
My trainer was surprised when I said this, but I actually hadn't seen her ride since since I was maybe 10.  And despite not having ridden in decades, she didn't lose a thing.

She sits better than I do, AND has better shoulders than I do!
They started out off the lunge, by practicing nice quiet halts.  I liked that - my mom was a tiny bit nervous about riding, and they started by learning how to apply the brakes.  Louie's favorite speed is 'stop', so he was only too happy to oblige.

My trainer explaining that her heel was jammed forward and down, and why that was confusing Louie in the halt, and where her leg should be.  Despite this being a "low-speed" one-off lesson, my trainer was just as technical with her as she is with me.

After that, they moved onto the lunge, where they did sitting trot and posting trot - my mom was thrilled that she still remembered how to post.  Not that awkward kind of forced posting either, you could tell she really knew what she was doing.


It was really cool to hear my trainer say the same things to my mom that she says to me: your leg is stiff, keep your torso back, shorten your reins.  And my mom absorbed the lesson atmosphere and information like a sponge, asking questions and making adjustments when my trainer said something different from what my mom was taught as a kid.


Too soon, it was over, but she kept smiling for hours afterward.  I hope it gave her confidence that she totally still has it, (As my trainer said, "You can tell it's all still there, you just had to knock the rust off,") and I hope she can find ways to ride every so often.

Love you, Mom!  Happy early birthday!


24 comments:

  1. Love this!!! So cool you did this for your Mom!

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    1. I thought you would, I think of you and Alexis anytime I think about me and my mom riding! Wish we could do it together like you two.

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  2. Really cute post. That smile on your Mom's face. You're a good daughter!

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    1. She never stopped smiling, and behind the camera, I didn't either!

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  3. This is just THE BEST!! Look at Mom smile! :D

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  4. Awww that is just so cool. What a great experience for you both. :-)

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  5. I LOVE this. Man what I would give to also get my mum back on a horse! I hope yours enjoyed it!

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    1. She did! It was a confidence boost too I think.

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  6. AHHHHHHH! this made my eyeballs turn into little hearts- just like the emoji

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    1. :D I figured it would. That picture of her hugging Louie is just the cutest.

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  7. How fun. My dad rides, but my mom does not. That's cool that you can share the love of horses.

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    1. That's really cool. Mine are the opposite. My dad is so afraid me getting hurt, he has only seen me ride once in my entire life, and it was a Dressage test two years ago. He won't watch me jump at all. Doesn't make a big deal about it, just doesn't do it.

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  8. I so love this. My dad rode a ton when he was younger but I really think I have to say I have not seen him on a horse in.... Years. I would love to see him ride again!! But I'm not certain he'd have smiles half so winning as your mum's here. :)

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  9. You're a great daughter! What a fun weekend and memory for you both.

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  10. This is so great! I keep trying to get my mom to take a lesson on Rico, she rides him on the trails but is reluctant to take a lesson. Sounds like such a fun weekend! She looks so happy :)

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  11. This post made me so happy! Love your moms big smile :)

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  12. There is nothing better than bringing horses back into peoples lives!

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