All kinds of feels

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Annual Trail Rides: 186/200 (Bareback 25/40)

Weather has turned brisk, rain has set in for multiple days, work is very busy so riding has dropped in frequency. All this has transformed Q into a fire breathing dragon. (it could also be the Bemer sessions working too well) So much that I was screaming to myself two days ago “THIS is NOT fun. THIS is NOT fun.” after shutting down Qs bolt-in-progress on the trail.

The ride before the storms 
















This morning I was feeling better and up for the task of channeling Qs abundance of energy. I put on his bareback pad, got on .. and then ... oops ... immediately got off. I was sitting on a live grenade! I took off his bridle, and let him loose in the big paddock. He leaped, bucked, spun, galloped and then did it all over again. I then put on his saddle (seriously this was not the day for bareback even if the trails were sloppy wet) and headed out thinking that his energy would be more normal now. It was NOT NORMAL. He was high as a kite as we headed to the trailhead and the grenade was still live. I focused on keeping my body loose, the reins long, and channeling forward and straight with my legs. I was sure Q was going to do a drop, spin and bolt. He didnt. Big sigh.



We got to the wet trails and I thought the best thing I could do is drop the reins and let Q do a big long loose trot for 10-15 minutes. His back was tight and he was all kinds of spooky with the hundreds of puddles in our way. I channeled him straight through the middle of the puddles (he is always trying to eek out left or right) and rewarded every try, while keeping my contact on the buckle and letting him trot as fast as he needed.

It took 3 minutes. He then dropped his giraffe neck, loosened up his back, and let out a big sigh.

We kept on trotting for another 10 minutes. Walked 2 minutes. Then trotted another 10 minutes through challenging footing. He was spooky AF, but he settled by the 20 minute mark. The puddles, up/down, slippery footing, roots, worked his brain and was the best remedy for the situation as he was completely in charge of where and how he landed his feet (aside from straightness through the puddles). Im getting better at staying unphased during his spooks, and I believe the result is that his spooks are less dramatic as a result (knock on wood). I dont change my contact and just put him back on track and keep going like nothing happened. 

Im getting better at ignoring his mistakes and staying on task. He then seems to do better at getting back on task faster. We both end up less flustered and frustrated.


Comments

  1. TeresaAOctober 4, 2021 at 2:49 PM

    What a confidence boost this was. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DomOctober 10, 2021 at 9:39 AM

    Great riding!! And beautiful photos as always. I did have to giggle at your description of the live grenade, and you putting the bareback pad back. 'Tis the season!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nat DOctober 12, 2021 at 9:46 AM

      Im hoping to get back on bareback soon! Gotta hit my target ... but sometimes the horse is just too explosive. :-)

      Delete

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