The Stirrup

I had a lesson a few weeks ago that was all walking but working on lateral transitions, on the round and on the straight.  I circled Divine and then would move her off my left leg and press with my right seat to get her to move sideways.  Obviously there are opposite cues to leg yield her to the other direction.  When she's collected and soft it feels like we are ice skating in the arena!

It was a cool lesson with lots of hard concentration.  Even though it was only walk I was tired after from the mind work and then the leg pressing.  The next interesting thing that occurred at the end of the lesson involved the far side stirrup.

Then I dismounted, ran the stirrup up on one side and started to walk around the front of Divine.  She swung her head to the far side, like she had an itch or something.  Then she pulled away in a freak out moment, her mouth was caught on her stirrup!!  She pulled back with her head up trying to free herself.  I called for Laurie and tried to calm Divine.  She stood still as Laurie came over and then gasped a little at what she saw.  What in the world!!! 

We pulled Divines neck over to the far side, her training in sideways flexing majorly payed off and she remained calm as Laurie unbuckled the stirrup so we could release it from the mares mouth.  After she was freed we both looked at each other in amazement.  I've never heard of this and neither has Laurie.  It happened so fast that I don't even know how it happened!  Laurie inspected her mouth, luckily no teeth or major injuries occurred.  Her lower lip had a cut on it and was bleeding slightly but nothing to call the vet over at least.

Standing in the arena after all was done and calm again I could feel the surge of adrenaline in my veins.  What a crazy feeling!  I was just standing there and all of the sudden felt a wave come over me and my body began feeling very shaky.  That was scary!  Divine was such a good girlthough, I was very amazed.  She and I have had our differences, she can be a little reactive to silly things but this instance really impressed me.  Such a good girl!  I was so glad it all turned out well.  Phew!  You never know what can happen when you are around horses!