Riding Today!

I went riding today for the first time this year! I met my neighbours awhile ago, and they said to come by any time and ride. I was originally going for a bike ride with Rob. But I wasn’t feeling it, didn’t want to get thru all the mud, etc. I turned around he took the dogs. On my way back I thought, the weathers nice, my neighbours are home. I’m going to ride my bike over and ask what they’re up to. What are the odds they were on their way out for a ride anyway! Bareback, but still! It was a lot of fun.
They’re not the greatest riders, the wife can’t canter yet, and neither can the husband. The mare is great, but she’s got so many bad habits from being ridden by beginners, she needs a bit of work. The gelding is perfect, except he won’t hold a trot and he keeps stopping in the middle. Bad habits, great solid horses. Could be fixed easily.
The mare has a bad hip, a touch of artheritis, the gelding has really bad forefeet, but shoes can fix that. They say he’s poorly conformed, but whatever. He’s got a great personality, and he’s pretty. The mare is the real challenge, but not a huge challenge. Just enough of one that it challenges me.
She keeps shying away from the mud. I did get her to canter a bit, she’s better on a right lead, Molly was too.
She’s a bit stubborn, but once I was more understanding of the mud thing, she was great. Well, sort of. She still hates me for making her actually work.
The wife uses her voice too much to communicate, which is really inhibiting not only her ability to get the horse to do certain things, but her connection with the horse as well. If there’s one thing I learned from my lessons, its that riding is a beautiful silent communication. Its a great connection, and she’s eally inhibiting her ability to learn.
I can’t wait to get that mare in shape. I think I’ll have fun with her. She got just enough attitude for me. Molly was too mellow, too “I’ll do anything for you” not that that’s a bad thing, I like a mellow horse, but just a touch of attitude is nice. And she’s not so lazy as her owner makes her sound. I think this horse can really go. I mean, I wouldn’t push her at all, just a bit until she’s in shape. Then I can play!
I wonder if I can convince the owners to do trail rides. I think its a great way to work on balance. I think that’s their number one thing right now. I hate that the wife uses her horses reins for balance, oh man. No wonder her mare is so irritable. I can’t wait to get out again!