Ending On a High

The stables where I ride are on Pony Camp next week so you'll be glad to hear this is my last blog for a week or so. I hope they all have a wonderful time but I know I'll miss the horses incredibly. Anyway, onto my lesson today. And yes, it was a fabtabulous one. I was back on trusty Shadow today, [yep, really making me get used to different horses], but its great and a fantastic learning curve for me. So Shadow and I were reunited and he made me work. I had to be really bossy both with my legs and using the half halts today as we nearly went trotting down a hill but its safe to say I have the handle on the half halts now. Along with some good trotting and some fantastic leg work and rein work from myself, even if I do say so, Shadow was a dream to work with, despite him not stopping for my instructor, but more about that soon.

Some Great Cantering

You've heard me bitch and moan about my lack of ability to get the horses to canter. Well, my instructor took a crop with us today, didn't use it but Shadow must have known it was there and cantered like his heart depended on it. I'm sure horses, like us, love to let lose and Shadow didn't disappoint today, so much so he wouldn't stop so I got the best canter out of any horse I've ridden so far. One extreme to another, eh? As you can tell, he did stop eventually and before you ask, I wasn't in control of the reins as I'm still learning so my hand was gripped onto my saddle. But we all know what my future holds, cantering with the horse's reins in my firm control. I am now OK to trot and walk without being lead on the whole and my progress is testament to the trust I've built with my instructor and the horses I'm riding. It felt good to canter like that and getting into the rhythm, like everything else seems more natural every time I do it. Horse riding is the best thing I've ever done! It lifts my spirits and the cuddle and kiss I had with my handsome friend this afternoon made me feel so good. He trusts me as much as I trust him and I truly feel I ended this spell of riding on a pure high. Can't wait to get back into the saddle already and continue to learn so much both from my instructor and from the magnificent creatures that allow us to partner with them in their beautiful world.