After breakfast, I started Rinnah's lesson first while Lillie hung out with Uncle Daniel and our new kitten, George.
Rinnah learned about a rope halter and how to tell which hole to put Serts' nose through. Then she learned to tie the knot to hold the halter on. I took it out and had her tie it three times before we moved on. She snapped the lead rope to the halter and led Serts to the trailer while I kept Tanna at bay.
Rinnah climbed up on the fender of the trailer and learned to tie a horseman's quick release knot. It took several tries, but she did it! The rope was tied to the trailer for a week until I trailered out for a training ride and then I had to remove it. I was proud of her. :)
Next, Rinnah and I brushed Serts. Rinnah brushed one side and I brushed the other. That tall mounting block I got last year to help me after I began to ride again came in quite handy!
I put the bareback pad on Serts and showed Rinnah how to buckle up the girth. English girths are quite good for that!
Rinnah then put the breast collar on. She struggled quite a bit with the snaps, but I encouraged her to keep at it and she did do it all herself.
Then it was time for the bridle and Rinnah snapped the bridle to the rope halter and the reins to the bridle.
After all that, Rinnah mounted up with a little assistance from me. She grabbed mane and I just gave her a leg up like they do for jockeys and up she went!
I led Serts into the round pen and Rinnah learned to start and stop Serts. She was doing so well, I went ahead and taught her how to neck rein Serts. Finally, we went outside the round pen. Serts decided it was time to go to the house and wouldn't heed Rinnah's cues to turn around, so I taught Rinnah how to straight rein as well.
What a fun, full lesson! It was about an hour and a half in length!
Next it was Lillie's turn. She hopped right on and I led Serts into the round pen again. She was sitting so well, I decided Lillie could learn to stop and start Serts, too. She learned that quite well! And only days before her 5th birthday!
Then Lillie wanted to go for a little ride down the road, so I hopped on behind her and we headed down the road. We found my friend, Cindy and another friend of hers out for a ride, so we hooked up together and rode for about an hour. Lillie learned to slow Serts from a trot to a walk and how to neck rein. She seemed to have a lot of fun since she kept declaring how much fun it was! We finished her lesson by her leading Serts up to the house while I rode! So I got a pony ride, too! :-)
They both did so well and I'm so proud of them! I can't wait to have them out for another ride!
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