sunday

took a friend and her step son for a ride sunday. Weather was beautiful and we were out for bout two hours. Didn't ride long as Alexis( my friend's step son) is not in very good shape and we didn't want him to be too sore monday for school.
Debbie rode Val, my girlfriend's tennesee walker mare, and Alexis rode my arabian gelding Blaze. I rode my arabian pinto Ice T. As is usually the case with teenagers, Alexis listened to less than half of what I told him, Blaze is an excellent beginner horse as I've been teaching with him for three years and he anticipates beginners very well and is patient with them.
Alexis did ok for his first time out of the round pen or arena. He made the usual beginner mistakes, leaned forward, held on to the horn, held his reigns to tight. All common beginner mistakes that are easily corrected. Had his legs too far behind him which throws off your center of gravity and balance. This is another common mistake that will get you a close up look at the dirt if your horse spooks. All in all he did ok, I like to start kids slow and let them gain some confidence before I start to advance them. Otherwise, they are to ridgid and nervous and the horses pick up on it.
He got a lesson in humility from Debbie as she was leading on our way home and cantered Val across a field with Blaze close behind. Alexis panicked and grabbed the horn which renders you helpless to control the horse, another point I made before we left that he didn't pay attention too.
So he got a little scared there for about a hundred feet or so. Deb took it easy on him and stopped Val before he lost his balance to much or Blaze decided Val wanted to race. He would have been in for a wild ride then as Blaze is a fast horse and loves to race.
Anyway, we made it home without any falls so it was a good ride for Alexis and he learned a few things.Also, the Packers beat the Cowboys so it was a very good day indeed. Will keep you posted on Alexis's progress as he will be taking lessons with Betsy and I.