Each month, we will be profiling one of our Strides Student Members, so everyone can get to know each other a little! This month, let’s get to know Barb from New York, USA
How long have you been a member of Strides?
A little over a year
What’s your favorite part of Strides?
The community, and how nice everyone is to each other. Also, there’s just so much information available on the site….too much to EVER get through! Being able to go find a lecture or video for something I might be working on, and being part of the monthly lectures and things has taught me so much this past year.
How has Strides helped you achieve your goals or work through challenges?
I like how supportive Amelia and the team are. They really help, in part because they reinforce that everyone struggles sometimes or has to adjust their goals, not just the little amateurs like me. I always know that whether it’s Team Amelia or it’s other Strides members, if I’m having an issue and need some support, I will always get it if I post a question or problem. And when I’m doing well and share a success or getting closer to a goal, everyone also cheers each other on.
Tell us more about your horse:
OMG Jack is such a doll and so full of personality! We got off to a challenging start, I had lost my other lease horse, a unicorn of a mare who had to go back home because of age (27) and soundness issues. I was devastated! I went back to school horses for a few months, thinking I’d just look for a new lease in the spring. But my barn was phasing out the adult school horse program, and Jack was available to lease. I didn’t have many choices, and I trusted the people around me, and tried him out. But once I decided to move forward with a lease, as luck would have it, I fell twice in a week because he spooked. I realized I had to address my rider position and better prepare myself for the unexpected. I had been able to get away with a lot of little flaws during 20 years on school horses, and then the unicorn. At times I was afraid Jack was not for me, discouraged and crying, but I committed to the effort. I didn’t even canter again for a few months, just really working on the basics and starting from scratch.
It really paid off, because Jack and I spent a lot of time getting to know and trust each other. Someone once told me, “Jack is chill until his rider isn’t.” I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a horse that so mirrors his rider, both physically and mentally, so I’m forced to ride better. Once I learned that his spooks are over in 3 seconds, I realized all I had to do was be riding well enough to sit through it for 3 seconds and we could move on. Once he realized I’d take care of him, he also relaxed more. He’s more than I was used to, and even a small misstep is a huge movement (he’s 17.1 and about 1400 pounds!), but we’ve made it work by putting in the time.
Jack did eventing in his day, but has a couple of weaknesses that made moving up the levels difficult for him, and his owner didn’t want him to get hurt or end up with soundness issues. I’m sure it was hard to sell him, I know he was loved, and he’s very sweet and affectionate…he’s a barn favorite. But she made the right choice to give him an easier job, since he’s never been unsound or had any issues with his current job! The other woman who also leases Jack (another of his “3 Barbs” who love him!) does some little crossrails with him, and maybe I will do that someday too, but for now I find I already learn something every single ride, regardless of what I do. And Jack always wants snuggles (and snacks–his favorite thing!) after a ride, and I take the affection as feedback that he enjoyed himself and I didn’t annoy him with my need to learn and improve while figuring it out on his back.
The groom who works with him adores him, and even though Jack can be picky about what horses he wants to be friends with and allow in his space, all the humans love him. He’s truly a gentle giant and a patient and loving teacher.
What’s your goal for the next year?
Mostly it has to do with the canter:
Better quality canters, with collecting and lengthening within the gait, and make it more supple and malleable. Also more consistent trots and better corners tracking right. He tends to fall in.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse?
Like so many riders, I’ve always been an animal person. When I was little I wanted to be a veterinarian or a zoo keeper. I was really fascinated at the thought of feeding lions and I assumed you needed a really big stick that you’d put a big steak on the end and feed the lion. The stick had to be long enough, of course, to keep you at a safe distance, and I thought the lion would just pluck the steak off the end like a marshmallow or something! I did not become a vet or a zookeeper, I became a psychologist, but I still love animals. One great volunteer job that I did for about 10 years, was I massaged newborn guide dog puppies. I’d go to the facility where the mother dogs gave birth and lived until the pups were weaned, and I’d take each puppy and touch its little body parts, massage it, snuggle it, get it ready for human contact, being out in the world with noises and distractions, and being touched by a blind person, since that’s how they would mostly “see” them, once they were paired with someone. Such a hard job! HAHA. Sometimes I’d get so relaxed sitting on the floor with a week-old puppy in my lap that I’d doze off. I guess that’s a unique volunteer experience. Having a little puppy the size of a potato sleeping in your arms!
Final thoughts. Anything else you wish to share here!
I’m loving Strides! What a great program and a great model for learning!
