Well, I bout got throw-ed last night. Took the new guy for a spin to work on steering and braking. After a while he was doing ok so I thought I would get him out of 1st gear. A little tap on the flank with a stick and he picked up pace. The second or third tap he got into a stiff trot that I stopped after 50 yards or so as it was hard on the butt.
I had been told he had been ridden at a walk and trot but that was all. I decided it was time to move his lazy butt. A few taps on the flank and he goes rodeo. Everything was good the first three bucks other than he slammed my butt into the saddle once. On about the fourth one he goes up off all four, comes down and jigs to the right. Oops, I bout went off the left. Got way over on the left but managed to find something to grab with my right hand (reins in the left) and didn't hit the dirt. In an effort to keep my balance I was pulling hard on the reins in my left hand and it finally pulled his head around far enough to the right that he stopped. Just in time I might add. I got center again and walked him off.
Now I did a couple things (maybe more) wrong that I knew better. I was not using my saddle and the stirrup length was too long. That caused me to not be able to get pressure on the left foot fast enough which put me over on the left side as he turned. I should have expected the worse (that would have saved the slammed butt in the saddle I think). Being an old fort, I should have had hand on the saddle for support (goes with expect the worse). When you ride these guys at my age, style points don't count no more. :lol:
Funny how fast the mind works. I remember thinking, "OK I handled those bucks ok". I remember thinking "I thought he might crow hop but this is out and out bucking". At the point where I thought I might come off I looked at my left foot to make sure it was not stuck in the stirrup too far and thinking, "that's good position". Then in my mind I thought "I can't let him dump me the first time he tries this". With the confidence that my foot was in good position and I had managed to grab the saddle, I pulled myself back up center.
Was an E ticket ride for an old man but look forward the next round.
I had been told he had been ridden at a walk and trot but that was all. I decided it was time to move his lazy butt. A few taps on the flank and he goes rodeo. Everything was good the first three bucks other than he slammed my butt into the saddle once. On about the fourth one he goes up off all four, comes down and jigs to the right. Oops, I bout went off the left. Got way over on the left but managed to find something to grab with my right hand (reins in the left) and didn't hit the dirt. In an effort to keep my balance I was pulling hard on the reins in my left hand and it finally pulled his head around far enough to the right that he stopped. Just in time I might add. I got center again and walked him off.
Now I did a couple things (maybe more) wrong that I knew better. I was not using my saddle and the stirrup length was too long. That caused me to not be able to get pressure on the left foot fast enough which put me over on the left side as he turned. I should have expected the worse (that would have saved the slammed butt in the saddle I think). Being an old fort, I should have had hand on the saddle for support (goes with expect the worse). When you ride these guys at my age, style points don't count no more. :lol:
Funny how fast the mind works. I remember thinking, "OK I handled those bucks ok". I remember thinking "I thought he might crow hop but this is out and out bucking". At the point where I thought I might come off I looked at my left foot to make sure it was not stuck in the stirrup too far and thinking, "that's good position". Then in my mind I thought "I can't let him dump me the first time he tries this". With the confidence that my foot was in good position and I had managed to grab the saddle, I pulled myself back up center.
Was an E ticket ride for an old man but look forward the next round.
Z
Please feel free to call me Mother Hen, if you like. :lol: :lol: The fact of the matter is, I've come to like you and I would really hate for anything to happen - especially if it could have been avoided.
