Imaginable spring

[glenatron]

It may not be here yet, but this morning there was a hint of spring in the air and we figured it was a good chance to take the boys out for a little circuit on the common. It was the first time I've been off the yard since I came back (it's hard to believe that is a week ago) and the difference was noticeable- I can just get a lot more done with my horse now because I don't feel at any point like I have to back down for fear of what will happen if I don't and at the same time I have the tools at my disposal to keep offering him a better deal. And I'm much more off his mouth, riding with my reins long and usually just having one hand on a bridge at the centre of the rein with the other ready to take up a feel at any time but keeping off when it's not necessary. We were more forward, more willing and quite happy to take the lead with only a little discussion over the correct order of horses on a hack. I do much less now with my hands and legs which means that the instructions I do give are more meaningful.

The great thing about riding really green horses is because they don't really know what you think you're asking for they just reflect exactly what you are asking for, which is very revealing. Having picked myself up a step or two in the general direction of what they needed from me has clearly made a big difference in my mind which is reflected in how I sit and what I do on a horse. Zorro seems, in general, to appreciate it.


After the ride, Zorro gets to shift some of that winter coat and replace it with delightful cooling mud.


Muddy black horse is pleased with himself.


Rolling is a great way to start with a grey horse and end up with a brown one.


This little guy lives just down the hill from where we are living now, part of a herd of exmoors who graze the local nature reserve. They're just starting to shed their coats but right now they're still fluffy little poffles. Here he's scratching his head on a mineral lick.

Comments

[penella22.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've come such a long way since your trip to Martin's and it must feel nice to see what a difference it made. I'm sure the sheer amount of time you spent riding was helpful, and coupled with some really focused instruction from very experienced people...I'm glad it's paying off for you. :-)

[dancing-crow.livejournal.com]

I am really liking the shagginess of your equine - he makes a lovely picture against the blue sky (behold the Noble Horse).

I rode a gray for two years that really wanted to be dark bay. I offered to dye him for April Fools Day, but his actual owner kind of flipped out at the thought.

[skiesfirepaved.livejournal.com]

:O You're surrounded by beautiful horses! I want the Exmoor. :3 And I'm liking your fencing; I think that might be the sort of thing I ought to do with mine.

going to the usa

[tom909.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying reading about how your month in the States has changed your horsemanship. Like it or not, those guys who have to get a job done, make horsemanship come real, BIG TIME. That was a cool move going out there for a month.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

He believes himself to be the noble horse exactly.

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

The exmoor is more or less knee-high to a grasshopper. They're very cute and very round and very small. You might want a North Swedish Draft- from what I can tell they're basically exmoors except 16 hands or more and draft horses.

We have post and rail with taut wire, which I'm not so keen on, and we have an extra run of electric tape to keep the boys from playing too vigorously with Toffee in the next field and one of them catching a leg in the wire part of the fence.

I think post and rail or post and tape with the big 2-3" tape is a good way forward.

Re: going to the usa

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

I don't really believe in shortcuts, but I do think going out there and being constantly pushed out of my comfort zone riding lots of different horses probably has shortcut me a couple of years of regular riding experience in terms of the confidence and competence I've gained in the saddle.

Also I learned a really neat way of stowing halters...

[glenatron.livejournal.com]

So am I. The outcome so far has not been so much of a radical change in what I do ( except that I've started to learn to let go of the goddamn reins and quit pulling ) as a massive improvement in how I do it and how I feel about it.