Three lessons

Natalie Unger

(5/2021) Lesson One

Admittedly, I was unsure of what to expect, but at least I brought myself.

I was living out a wonderful childhood dream. I had experience with horses when I was ten or so. This would be limited amount of time spent whereas I am still an adult who considers horses as mystical creatures. But I finally got an opportunity to live that childhood dream. How that came about I’ll save for another story. Suffice it to say, the price of the lessons was the article your about to read…

One of the first things I had to do was find the horse I was riding. His name was Wesley and get him brushed before the lesson. Apparently, General Custer said that if you could not feed your horse, at least brush him.

Mike’s farm has tons of animals. They all have the names of Star Trek characters. I had recently binged on Star Trek Voyager so this was great reference. I have since started Star Trek Next Generation and realize what kind of character Wesley, the horse, is named after. Mike consistently reminds me Wesley has a heart of gold, as I assume the character Wesley does on the show.

However, Wesley, like every other creature, can be a bit naughty sometimes. Wesley, as bay, is darker then Kit and Scott, who are chestnuts (so Wesley is the ‘dark horse’ of the group you could say) and is a tad smaller than the other two. I have feeling that he is watching me as I brush him. We look at each other from time to time. I guess he is just making sure I am brushing him correctly.

Once the brushing is complete, Mike shows me what we put on Wesley so I can ride him. There is a white cotton layer, a gel layer, and then the English Saddle. Mike gets the bridle on and we head outside to the arena for lesson 1!.

Considering this as my first lesson Mike has attached a long rope to Wesley which I later learn is called a ‘Lunge line.’ Mike is leading the show. I learn what two-point is and well, my calves will not have any trouble remember what that is. Mike suggests that I pull on Wesley’s mane to help keep balance. I, for one, do my best not to because I know what it is like for someone to pull my hair. The longest my legs could stay in two point was eleven seconds that first lesson. Later, I learn how to hold the reins correctly and what it is like to be a Dairy Queen - where I have to balance myself while raise one hand and waving at an imaginary crowd.

It seemed like almost every other sentence out of Mike’s mouth was on the importance of the leg in ridding - without it, I would never be more then a passenger. To be a rider one had to be able to use one’s legs, and the Dairy Queen position was just the first step in developing my legs.

It was a great first day for me.

I asked after the lesson if I was supposed to be wearing a helmet. He said, "Yep, you were." I have got to remember that helmet, I think to myself. Once the bridle and the saddle are taken off, I give another brushing down for Wesley. Once done, I gave Wesley a peppermint, a nice long pet, and turn him out with his buddies.

Before I leave, I pet Will, one of the barn cats. I was nervous petting him because he likes to play bite. Mike relayed to me that Will had been raised by someone how used to shove their hands into his face, thinking the play biting was cute – until it wasn’t, then they abandoned Will behind the post office, where Mike found him. Mike showed me how to pick him Will up without him biting me, and when I did, Will just went limp and purred. I purred back. As I was snuggling with Will Mike came into the tack room and asked if I was aware my car is still running. I was mortified. I was so excited for the first lesson that I forgotten to turn it off when I arrived!

Lesson Two

I turn into park on Mike’s Farmette and am immedatly greeted by Mike’s tow dogs - Troy and Jake. They remember me from last time, so both are wagging their tails. I turn off the engine this time and get out to be welcomed by Jake’s Jack Russell muddled paws and wagging tail.

Mike kindly reminds me that horses will not be as excited to see me as the dogs do. I make the horses work and not the dogs.

I go and get Welsey again. I brush him with his eyes checking on how I am doing. Once again the lesson is all about stitching my calves in what Mike calls the ‘two-point position’ and practicing my balance. When my calves’ hurt, Mike lets me sit down. But Mike must have a sixth sense, for just when they begin to fell better – its back into the two-point position. By the time the lesson is over, my legs are killing me. Mike smiles when I tell him that. "Then my job is done," he says. "No pain, no gain." I hobble to the car and make a mental note to bring Advil next time.

Lesson Three

For the first time, Mike lets me go get Wesley by myself, and gives me three large carrots to bribe Wesley to come along. He tells me It’s important the horses can’t see these treats before I give them or they will mob me. And at 1,200 pounds each, I could get hurt. Mike said before I walked into the pasture that he would be watching me, and yell if I was doing anything wrong.

Mike tells me to be careful not to get crowded by the horses, and a gentle as his three horses are, one may run while I have one on the lead line, and before I know it I could be dragged by Wesley. When I reach Wesley, I give him a carrot and begin to head to the barn. I notice Scott has flanked me on my left. I try pushing him away with hand. Again, Mike stressed how important it was not to be a part of a horse sandwich: Horse, Human, Horse. Scott finally gets the picture and goes away.

Once again, Wesley gets a his brushing. I break another carrot again and give half to Wesley before we start. I leave the other in his view, so he knows he’ll get a treat when he’s done being brushed and saddled. As I’m beginning to learn, there is a right way, and a wrong way to just about everything when it comes to horses, even brushing. Mike tells me to use longer strokes because horses like long strokes, not short stabby ones. It was clear by Wesley’s ears, which Mike reminds me to always notice, that Wesley agreed.

Mike helps me with the bridle again, although this time he explained to me the correct way to put it on – promising me that sooner rather then later that would be my job.

The three of us go to the arena and once again we commence practicing my two-point position. Unlike the first tow lessons however, I’m able to stay in the position longer, so Mike ups the ante, and lesson three become lesson one in proper ridding position. "Sit straight, move more back in the saddle, feel the horse moving." Mike gets me into what is called a jumping position and I get to do my first trot with Wesley. I love it! I have smile never wanting to falter, then we stop. Mike asks me to tell him who stopped me. I thought it was Mike because I was a bit out of breath. Oh, no! It was Wesley. Wesley did it a second time when I was out of breath. He is such a smart boy!

Once my calves start to hurt, I think it’s time for the lesson to end, but Mike leads me into another, smaller field and unlatches the lunge line. I am free to roam with Wesley.

I notice I can’t get too close to the fence because there are some tree branches in my way, yet not in Wesley’s way. Mike says if I don’t pay attention, Wesley will, for fun, get me closer to the fencing where the branches may hit me by surprise. For the most part, I get in the jumping position where from my torso and up are parallel with Wesley’s neck, so it isn’t horrible when the branches are near. I think a funny thought, "I am doing the limbo with Wesley.

Sadly, the time comes to end the lesson and go to the barn. I brush Wesley down and give him another carrot. Welsey of course is more then happy to partake of it!

I am ready to say goodbye to Wesley in his pasture, but he keeps checking my hands with his soft nose. I tell him I have no more treats for him. I open my palms as proof to him. He doesn’t believe me and checks again, and again, and again. As I hobble to the car on my sore legs, I make a mental note to bring a whole bag of carrots next time.