As One

The sun returned for my lesson yesterday but the wind was in a gusty mood so hearing was slightly impaired. I rode out with another student today so I had a walker alongside me which was fine. The other student was only a youngster so we were following a little pony. I have now decided, following little ponies is fine except my hearing is not well enough tuned to follow as effectively as with bigger horses.

I was riding my lovely tall, white friend who was actually white. I brushed him off, and placed his bridle on with increased confidence. He accepted the bit nicely for me yesterday.

After mounting and following the little pony on the road route we do, I found my equine companion responsive, and extremely forward yesterday. I could feel the energy beneath me and knew he would give some amazing trots.

As with my other instructor, reins are being used less and less so the right leg was used to turn left and the left to turn right in a nice wide arc. I am finding using the leg for movement easier and easier with each lesson. My hands were as still as necessary and no quirks yesterday when stopping with my feet.

I know I promised no regaling of cantering until I was half decent again and I have kept to my word. But my canter was better than half decent yesterday. I kept my hands low, legs were where they were meant to be and it was almost like from my seat to my shoulders, I felt in line and natural as I got my lovely white friend into a canter. No tenseness, no leaning forwards, no pulling back on my reins, just nice forward cantering. I know I have said it is an amazing feeling before today but yesterday was somehow different. Before, in canter, I've bounced slightly in the saddle and not been exactly in rhythm on many occasions but yesterday, it was like I was completely as one with the horse. It was like, I was an extension of him and together we moved in this amazing way. So lets hope its half decent on Tuesday and this wasn't a fluke and finally something is clicking with cantering and myself. I know I can't ever describe the incredible feeling you have on the back of a horse during a sequenced canter. It has to be one of the best feelings in the world! OK, I'm done gushing over my canter.

I also felt like my hands truly were an extension of the reins too yesterday. After a uncertain beginning where the left was too short, etc, etc. But once I got my hands level, my arms seemed to just be an extension of his mouth and it really did feel on all aspects like I was one with him. A fantastic feeling! As a result half halts worked well to keep him steady so not to run up the pony's backside. Everything just seemed to work well yesterday!

So until next time,

Thanks for stopping by and reading,

Marie