planBE

I did it again. But Im actually prouder of having persuaded two others to hop on their horses bareback. One of them just kept her halter on and borrowed my neck ring, and she worked it out. The other kept the bridle on and trotted around doing some of our trail obstacles. Very cool! It felt like summer camp when you are a kid, and you have nothing better to do then to do silly crazy things with your pony. In my own second session, my confidence was way stronger than the first. But we discovered LOTS of steering problems. And I think Q figured out that I stop in the middle, so while we were trotting a nice circle at a good pace/impulsion he would sharply turn towards the middle while I tried to steer him back. So what did I do? I stopped. Euh, I just rewarded him for it. So I think my next session is going to be with bridle and saddle, AND the neck ring. I will just do my regular schooling routine of 15-20 minutes and then once he is tuned up I will drop the reins on t...

I did a crazy thing today. Jumped off the cliff. Let go of the handlebars. Tossed caution to the wind. I did not listen to my inner voice that says “If Only” + whatever is blocking... as in If only I was younger, fitter. If only I was a better rider. If only my horse was better trained. If only I had a better roundpen. If only I had a safer horse. If only. I listened to the voice of my 9 year old self that says “Imagine” + whatever you dream about. I may have four decades on my 9 year old self with all the physical and mental limitations that brings, but today I said Carpe Diem. The peanut gallery looked on in shock and amazement as I approached the mounting block without saddle or bridle. As I stood on the block and Q parallel parked beside me, I suggested someone predial 911 just in case, slight apprehension in my voice. Q was confused at first as we left the mounting block, and he did a 10 meter circle to park again at the block because he clearly felt I had forgotten som...