[Cinch] Finally!

Some of you know that in January I traded my mare Fawkes for a shorter horse. I was having trouble saddling her with my huge saddle and didnt like having to rely on my mounting block to get on (as it pretty much kept me in our arena).

Anyways, I traded her for an adorable 4 (coming 4) y/o pinto mare whom I named Pepper. As I had traded for her "sight unseen", I opted to put her into 30 days of training before riding her. So for a month we really didn't do much, as I was letting her get adjusted and then it was just simply too cold (especially with a shaved nakey pony).

Anyways, her training ended on March 31st, but with car issues and snow storms, I wasn't able to get out there until today to finally ride my pony. My trainer graciously rode her first for me, since she'd been sitting since last week. It also takes her a few minutes to really start listening to her rider, so figured if we got past that then my asking her to do things I was learning, it might go smoother.

Poor pony got upset because she thought she was done and then we threw on all my tack and rode her again. Lol. We only walked, but I'm quite proud of myself. I've pretty much LIVED in a helmet, and still pretty much do, but I had forgotten to grab my helmet and decided to give it a chance. I actually rode without my helmet, and actually wasn't too anxious about it. I'll almost always ride with one on, so it was a nice little change.

Clearly there are things we need to work on, but I'd say we had a great first ride and I even got her to pivot a few times (something I've never done in my life). My new saddle also doesnt have enough holes to shorten my stirrups as needed, so my seat was thrown off a bit. Husband is coming out tomorrow to punch some more holes for me.

Anyways, want some photos?

Pepper's First Day Home


Pepper a few days later


Pepper ... the beginning of March?


Pepper Today ... Please excuse any hand positions/etc. We were trying to get her to focus on the camera... lol



Awkward Video


Love my little spicy Pepper (she was a little hot head at the beginning of training, so was nicknamed the Spicy Pepper... it stuck)