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 Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:29 pm
Blinking quietly, the maid quietly waved and closed the door behind her. She looked around and moved to the kitchen to clean the pots and pans she used, turning on the water, she soaped up the items and started scrubbing, humming softly while looking out thinking to herself.
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:52 am
Cinerea "Good... good... please follow me to the hippodrome, Sir." Amaya led the horse inside, then closed the gate after them. She tightened the girth again and unknotted the stirrups. "Please adjust the stirrups to your size. You do it by putting your fingertips on the mounting and pulling the stirrup to your arm. The length is appropriate, if the bar of the stirrup reaches your armpit."
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:21 am
"All right.. please step back now, I show you how to mount."
Amaya gathered the reins in her left hand and put it on the pommel, then grabbed the stirrup with her right and put her left foot in it. Holding on to the rim of the saddle with her right and the pommel with her left hand, she pushed herself up in one fluid motion, then brought her right leg over. Swinging her leg back, she dismounted again.
"Always remember to mount from the left side of the horse. This way, if you are carrying a katana, you make sure not to accidentally stab the horse with the scabbard. Also, always remember to face the head of the horse and let the leg you're standing on point in that direction, too. Should the horse start to move, that way it will pull you with it and up instead of dragging you behind. Would you like to try now?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:34 am
I absorbed the information that was put in front of me. Um I keep my katana and on my right side for you see I'm left handed, but as you wish I shall mount the way you said. I gathered the reins in my left hand and grabbed the pommel. (English or Western saddle?)
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:38 am
"Hmmm... I see... in that case, remember to get the scabbard out of the way. My horses are trained to be mounted from the left, but if you have your own steed one day, Kibakichi-san, you might want to train it to be mounted from the other side." Amaya waited for the patron to mount, holding on to the snaffle and patting Raku's neck.
((Icelandic trail saddle... like the english with low pommel, very comfortable, also has an extra strap wound around the hind legs just beyond the tail of the horse to keep it better in place.))
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:49 am
Ah I'm too poor to afford and mantain a noble beast like Raku. I pat Raku's neck, as I stuck my left foot into the stirrup. Holding onto the the saddle with my right hand, I regrabbed the pommel with my left, and I heave myself up, throwing my right leg (not hand) over in a graceful and catlike movement. Bringing myself to rest on top of Raku. I slid my other foot into the stirrup. I sat proudly, my back tall and straight.(I was going to make myself fall off, but nah it isn't worth the trouble.)
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:57 am
Amaya laughed quietly. "One never knows what the future may bring... we will see. All right... your posture is excellent so far, just two more things: keep the heels a bit lower and turn the toes inward. This feels very uncomfortable at first, but it prevents slipping through the stirrup, getting stuck, and then dragged behind after a fall. It might safe your life. Also, it helps you to give the commands to the horse by applying pressure with your thighs and calves. I will put the reins into your hands now, so you see how they are held. We will not be using them right now, though." She threaded the leather straps inbetween his fingers and thumbs.
((Its hard to explain how to hold the reins without a picture... gomen))
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:02 am
I adjust my legs like she said, and bowed my head and said. That is true. I look of dissapointment appeared on my face, as I adjusted reigns as she reached over to do it. Aww why not? My sensei taught me how ride. That was a long time ago, but I think I remember how.(It is okay I know what you are talking about, I can see how to hold the reins in my hands in my mind. )
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:06 am
"Oh, I am sorry... You should have told me you had experience... Hmm... would you like to go on your own or shall I longe you?" Amaya bowed her head in apology.
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:08 am
Cinerea "Oh, I am sorry... You should have told me you had experience... Hmm... would you like to go on your own or shall I longe you?" Amaya bowed her head in apology.
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:28 pm
"It's a kind of rope actually... it makes the horse go in circles around the longier, so the student does not have to use the reins and can concentrate on their posture and balance instead." She showed him the coil of rope tucked under her arm and the hook with which it could be fastened to the snaffle.
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:55 am
Cinerea "It's a kind of rope actually... it makes the horse go in circles around the longier, so the student does not have to use the reins and can concentrate on their posture and balance instead." She showed him the coil of rope tucked under her arm and the hook with which it could be fastened to the snaffle.
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:47 pm
"Of course it is... please proceed." Amaya let go of the snaffle and retreated to the middle of the riding rink.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:40 am
I take a deep breath and say. Let's see if I remember how to do this. Nice and slow. I tapped gently on Raku's sides with my heels, gently rock my hips foreward, and gently popped the reins. (I think that's how you do it.)
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:08 pm
Obediently, Raku startet to walk briskly at Kibakichi's command. Amaya nodded silently. The patron obviously knew what to do, so she did not interfere.
((Yeah, that is correct... though, I think popping the reins is considered bad style by some instructors... dunno.))
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