Humanship Class

Okay, so it was really a horsemanship class, but I felt more like the horse was training me instead of the other way around. The county extension agency hosted the 36th annual horsemanship clinic here in Childress. The clinic was held for two days, Monday and Tuesday. Overall, it was a good experience for me, but it was much more of an advanced-beginner class instead of a beginner-beginner class and I was lost half the time.

The first day started off well on Liesel, but by the end of the day she had kicked at least 3 other horses and scared a little girl into tears. I was in tears because I felt so bad, but was holding them in so I wouldn't look like a big 'ole baby! I was definitely one of the oldest in the class. Our instructors were two Aggies, both part of the Equestrian club/team at A&M. They were awesome and it was really nice to have other Aggies to chat with about College Station and Aggie "stuff."

So, after lunch on Monday, after asking David Davidson, a local cowboy and horseman to ride Liesel around, the diagnosis came back...I have an officially SPOILED horse! She spent way too long doing nothing before we got her and she wants her way and knows she can get it if I'm on her back. He worked her hard, but I decided to retire Liesel and he offered for me to ride one of his horses he had brought with him, Nacho, the next day.

Tuesday was MUCH better! Nacho is a great horse; four years old but very calm and with great manners. The afternoon was slow again for me, because the exercises were things I didn't feel comfortable with, nor understood really. So, I was an observer, learning just by watching and not much by participating...and man does my rear hurt!! When you don't ride horses on a daily basis, two days of being in the saddle for about 6-7 hours per day will make you feel 30 years older!

I did make arrangements with David to take riding lessons from him this summer which I'm REALLY looking forward to. I will start off on one of his horses and then work my way back to Liesel after she gets some manners and I feel more confident.

So, my first experience with a horse class/clinic and I survived to tell about it.

Oh, and the arena was outside, uncovered and it was at times 100 degrees outside. I had jeans, boots and a long-sleeved shirt on and was drenched with sweat, dirt, (and a few tears) when I came home.