I Have a New Teacher

It's been a while since I've had time to reflect on my horses. A recent show with Chanty was very helpful in giving me specific guidelines for our continuing training. She needs to control her speed while being allowed to move forward on a straight line, specifically in an arena. We've trailered out several times to the local fairgrounds and with just 3 sessions, she is so much better. She has taught me so much about patience and persistence. We have had a major breakthrough in our relationship and I owe it all to her-my teacher.

And, this past week I've begun riding a "new" horse. She is more than 20 yrs old, but is in good health and just needs to get back into shape. She belongs to a young woman who has boarded her horse right near mine for years. With a baby less than a year old, going to school and work, she is like a lot of horse owners who find themselves strapped for time with their critters. I have been enjoying the riding so much and improving my balance and position with leg and seat cues that it is great to try it out on all different horses. So, in exchange for cleaning her stall a couple times a week, I get to ride another horse. It works out for everyone-especially the horse, who is going to get a lot of great exercise-mental and physical. And, I guarantee, she will be teaching me something new.

This palomino tends to have a personality that reacts first, thinks later. Unfortunately, she reacts sometimes by freezing, in terror, until she can't hold it in anymore and then she reacts. Much like my overtly excitable mare, Chanty, she will run very fast when she is nervous. But, when she is calm and we are communicating, she will trot and canter slow and low, a perfect Western Pleasure horse. I describe her movements as "smooth as butter". Being that she's yellow in color, it seems very appropriate.

I've noticed that on the ground, she is not accustomed to being aware of her handler's movements. She knows to walk forward, but tends to overshoot the human and walks right past when I stop. She doesn't like to back up and gets impatient when she is done for the day and wants her dinner (who doesn't?) We're doing basic groundwork and little by little I'm going to ask her to show me just how engaged she can become with her rider. I can see where one would just "get on and ride" this horse, since she acts so quiet when you come up to her. But, the first time you take her somewhere new, a different horse emerges-wide eyed, racing from side to side and pulling away. All of this before anyone even gets in the saddle. She cannot be ridden safely on trails. Confidence is a big issue and one we will be working on. That's why I say that she will be getting mental as well as physical exercise.

She is physically unbalanced and does not like going to the right. We are doing lots of flexing and bending with circles and serpentines as well as lateral movements to get her muscles worked, tendons stretched on both sides. I stay off of her back to encourage forward movement and to allow those muscles to strengthen. I think we will see progress quickly. I've begun riding with music more and more and it is such a great motivator as well as a way to lift your spirits (as if being on a horse wasn't enough). I still dream of getting Chanty to "dance" to my favorite tunes. I'll keep working at that.

The weather is getting warmer (and wetter) and soon I'll be able to work with more horses outside on a regular basis. Each day is another opportunity to learn from some of the greatest teachers around-the horses!