Current mood:	chipper
Entry tags:	horse lessons

Phys (Mister) Ed
I started taking horseback riding lessons last weekend.  It's something I've wanted to learn for a long time, and it's also good research for the comic.

The stable is hidden right in the middle of Anaheim, just north of Honda Center.  The first time I went I was convinced that I was lost, as I passed a car dealership, turned into a business park and found myself at a dead-end next to a shriner's club.  But the stables are at the back of the club's parking lot, and as soon as you pass the gate it goes all Old MacDonald with chickens and cats and goats and sheep and dogs... and horses, of course.

It's fun!  Horses are just amazing all by themselves, and there are all descriptions there, from show horses to draft horses to miniature horses, bays and pintos and palaminos.  As part of the lessons I have to also learn to scrub down the horse and put on tack and saddle and such, as well as mounting and riding.  It's nice to have some scheduled outdoor/exercise activity again.  I'm learning a lot about horse psychology too, which is awesome.  And riding requires a certain amount of confidence, as the animal can tell when you're unsure of yourself; so that will be good for me too I think.  Being exposed to so much new information already has my brain powering up somewhat.

So far I can (sometimes) start and (sometimes) stop the horse, and (sometimes) turn it in the direction I want it to go.  I've improved greatly just in two lessons, and I'm only a little bit sore-- not used to using inside leg muscles.  I'm looking forward to continuing with it.