His bucking could have been due to pain from the kidney/bladder infection

There’s an easy exercise you can do at home for five minutes twice a day that will really help you stretch out your calves and hamstrings gently and get you ready to ride. Stand on the edge of a stairstep with your heels hanging over the edge and focus on letting the heels sink down a little bit. Keep your shoulders, hips, and heels aligned in a straight line when you do this. Look up and straight ahead, as you normally would if you were walking on a flat surface-don’t look down. Hold onto a handrail or steady yourself on the wall if you feel a little unbalanced. Hold that position for a few seconds, then bring your heels up, rest for a few seconds, and repeat. Never force the stretch, but you’ll notice that, over time, your heels will start relaxing comfortably down further and further. The key is not doing too many reps all of a sudden. Gradually increase the number of reps -you know your body better than anyone else. This exercise gradually and gently stretches the hamstrings and remodels the fascia in the calves, so that the backs of your legs will not feel tight when you ride. You’ll find yourself able to wrap your lower legs around your horse without feeling strain.

Im with you all the way angel, set yourself up for sucess xx EG ON walker, never hang or let anyone hang around entrance, you will draw him to you, wich is not what you want. YOU ARE THE ORGAN GRINDER XX IN CHARGE at all times, im here for you angel xx

Could help you so much. Try and get his bits cleaned, easy xx and he was relaxed for you xx you are so capable, i wish all my pupils when teaching equestrian at college would be as willing as you, with an open mind and heart xx stop putting yourself down, or i will be on a plane to tell you off no joke. Novice yes beginner NO, YOU ARE SO CARING LOVING XX

heels down - oh those words forever in my head LOL - even after riding 50+ yrs, I still say it to my self. so happy BlackJack is doing well and excited for you to start riding him! blessings always & keep being kind!

Love ur videos and ur horse.I look forward to each one to see ur progress.I remember many years ago when I was in ur place and learning from the ground up .Wish we lived close as it would be a blast to show u the ropes.From Ocala Florida.

One step at a time is the way to go. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with everything...I know. I have not gotten much saddle time due to my horse's illnesses but I am really looking forward to working with him more this fall. He's going to need bit of a refresher too.

❤ I missed this yesterday! I'm glad everything is going so well for you. Keep up the good work ❤️

You don’t need to apologize to anybody for your work with Black Jack and/or the content you post. I think you are a very brave woman to take on such a challenging hobby or interest as an older woman(I am 73 so I know how that feels). You always put Black Jack first, that is so obvious, and that is what matters most. And, you are blessed to have such a supportive husband as you pursue this endeavor, he shows that he loves you by doing so. I hope there will be no further signs of lameness in Black Jack after all his rest and the two of you can enjoy many hours spent together with you in the saddle. Don’t let negative people get you down.

Love this song! Your husband has good taste! Now Im going to finish listening to the song :) 😂

Everything is heading in the right direction. So good to hear.😊🤗

Black Jack is looking good! Thanks for sharing the journey ❤

I rode none of the 3 horses i got before getting them.. i drove one, but most important, i spent time with them on the ground to see if we could work as a team

Glad to see things are moving in a positive direction for Black Jack and for your equine skill set. Hope it all continues in a positive fashion.

Blackjack looks great Love seeing the horses out on n the pasture helps to keep them sane

I love that you are learning to ride at the same time as Blackjack is getting trained. At least you are having fun and you’re going to feel confident in getting on him when he’s ready. Fantastic that he’s remaining sound. Just goes to show the care and attention was what he was lacking. Go girl!

Why does the trainer think it is going to take longer to ride him before he is ready for you just wondering what her reasons were

This horse is living the life right now. Chilling, eating and light exercising.

Learning is hard and stressful weather you are human or animal. Look how far you have come

It’s so great you’re able to invest in a trainer riding him. It is expensive but it’s all money well spent. You’re creating the horse you want. I learned so much from my first year of horse ownership. Horses are hard! There is no manual. Every horse is different!

While you are at home relaxing , practice picking your toes up. Th muscle in the back of your calf will stretch and get accustomed to stretch and get stronger

Another good way to think about it is this way: every time you get on your horse, you know more than the last time. You either know what to do, or what not to do, but you still learned. And either way horses, there is never knowing too much, or a stop in the learning. Even my trainer takes lessons from time to time. We do reining as well. Ya think the spins are fun, wait till you ride a slide - whoooooo boy, that’s addictive. Keep up the updates

What a beautiful peace of land that barn has! Sometimes through the day I’ll stop and go I wonder how blackjack is doing 🤔 So always glad for the updates! Keep up the good work!!! 💕🐴

Weed analogy is great! I find I can only tackle one thing riding at a time otherwise it gets overwhelming! I start everything at the walk and when I get good there then I move on to doing it at the trot or canter. My horse loves to trot and I will do it at the end with no goals. It is my way of saying thank you to him for putting up with me. Of course treats and turnout in the pasture is included. Sounds like you are doing great and having fun doing it.

Ever Up And Onward! You are doing great... God bless . 😊❤😊

Good,good news. Take time to digest the comments.

👍🏽👍🏽 soon you can start practicing on blackjack, which will really help you‼️

👍🏽👍🏽

Always click on BlackJack videos as soon as I see a new one. So happy for both of you. This is like my adult version of "The Black Stallion"😊

You are doing so well. Blackjack is beautiful, and I hope whatever was causing him to be unrideable heath related is gone forever. You deserve to be so proud that you’re learning to ride at this point in your life.

You sound much more positive today. You have nothing to worry about you are doing great❤

Something that helps a lot of people is to not think "heels down", but rather "toes up".

I think you're doing everything right.

Cannot wait to see you two come together! Riding takes years to really get competent at especially when you are learning as an adult. I learned, for real, in my late 20’s with an excellent instructor and I’m so glad you are working with someone now who can help you become the best horse woman you can be. I bet by the beginning of next year you and Blackjack will be well on your way!! It really helps to visualize the movements when you are not riding - set up your saddle on a really sturdy saddle stand and put it where you can watch TV/YT and imagine taking your lesson - your brain doesn’t know the difference really and your body will start to adjust and you’ll gain that muscle memory more quickly.

Good choice of music 👍 Black Jack just chilling or should I say eating….. 😅

From Niel's Hot August Night Album ❤

I love this song❤ oh and Blackjack too😊

Look at the night.. you're looking at the Knight😊 Awesome voice and song❤

Love seeing all the horses..so many friends happily grazing!

Neil Diamond and Black Jack. 🤗

Get him a name sign for his stall ❤

A beautiful horse and wonderful music, what more do you need? ❤🎶🐎🎶❤

Amazing, gorgeous horse, WOW WOW WOW

My horse enjoys a can of beer occasionally.

One apple for a big ole horse. You get 1 🍪 😂

Do you ever get up close for hugs, belly and butt scratches? Does he like that ? It’s a nice way to bond.

I’m sorry people are so mean. You are the best kind of beginner. You are eager to learn and improve, and can admit your mistakes and lack of knowledge. And please remember, even the haters started out as a beginner, and it says more about them as a person than it does about you and your skills as a horsewoman. We have all made a million mistakes with our steadfast friends, and will make a million more. When you fall off you get back on. You are doing great, keep up the hard work and try not to get discouraged. The people that matter in your journey are rooting for you.

You’re doing great! I can see your confidence growing all the time ❤

Try your best NOT to feel discouraged. Take it slow , enjoy the process . 💕🐴💕 Black Jack is thriving under the glow of your love. ( i had my boy 🐴 for 18 years … until colic came for him😔 … ) Enjoy your years with your love 🐴 , I envy you your relationship with Black Jack ❤🐴💕👍

Such a handsome and sweet boy. Give him an extra apple for me! ❤❤❤