Riding with Protection

This video shows my 5th ride on Poster Boy. I know I look kind of geeky with all the padding but after all my hair fell out from chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer I don't really care what I look like. I'm wearing hip pads, a spine protector and a helmet. My son lent me the pads that he uses for extreme, big mountain skiing. I've broken my back and my collarbone on separate occasions from getting bucked off of other Mustangs I've trained and these pads, with the hard plastic inserts can really make a difference when it comes to protecting my body. I sure ain't getting any younger. I also use proper boots and thick leather chaps to protect my legs. The helmet can be a life saver. Poster Boy is a 1000 lb. animal. He can easily knock me over with his head, push me into a post or a rail, or even kick me in the head. You can never take these animals for granted. They are wonderful, sweet and gentle but also have, by nature, a preservation, flight mentality. I try to anticipate potential hazards and the padding and helmet are just extra safegaurds.

Poster Boy responds really well to my cues and is making quick progress in terms of learning what I expect from him while riding. The enclosed round-pen keeps outside distractions to a minimum while I train him to understand my requests.

I'll be venturing out into the western arena with PB now that he is comfortable with me on his back, then we'll explore the ranch, and ride out onto the trails in foothills of the Eastern Sierra.