Little Drops of Water

Something weird is happening lately. I am actually enjoying riding.

I think falling off those years ago took so long to heal up the fear. And then adding a new horse whom I assumed would cause me years of torment (but I did it anyway) has been work, but after 2 1/2 months of working with her almost every day, I'm starting to know her, and relax.

Today on the trail I ponied her and rode Dewey and then on the way back, I got off him, got on her and rode a tiny bit. Then switcheroo again. Then when we were back on the little secret path I got back on her, and ponied him, and she is sleeker, more like a hot rod convertible than huge thick lumbering Dewey.

I had to think cautiously, I've never ponied Dewey, she's only 4 years old, new to everything, she's never ponied a horse either, so I picked my spots carefully, and I kept the rides short where she was the leader. The good thing about being careful is that you set yourself up for success. There's nothing wrong with little tiny steps. The Carrie Fisher song:

Little drops of water
Little grains of sand
Make the mighty oceans
And the pleasant lands

All I know is it is nice to see the flowers and see the butterflies and be riding a horse who isn't afraid, and to be helping the new horse learn her place and her job, and because of all this work eventually I'll have a friend along with me in the saddle, and riding will be even more fun because there will be chatter and company, and safety in numbers, comfort for both Dewey and I. He's so happy to have a friend in the barn and on the trail, it's like he sighs with the relief of company.

Maggie does like to see if she can be in charge each day - she will do what you say, but she's just askin. She is happy to be with Dewey, and see the scenery. And having a young horse to work with and teach all the cues to, and learn her likes and dislikes, and try and mold her into just a regular quiet old trail horse - this has made me a mostly humorous, stronger rider, which has made Dewey a better horse. Now I just ask him clearly for what I want, and he's happy to do it, where before I was slightly always terrified. Since Maggie is more hardheaded, I've had to be super tough, and it's changed my riding. Even though with her I also have to be very light with legs and hands, since at her age, she's just learning balancing a rider, moving forward happily and learning some rhythm. We're still only at a walk with a rider on, I figure I'll get her happy going forward at all gaits on the lunge, and happy going forward at the walk and then stick a few small trots in there when I think she will be willing and not slam on the brakes. (Her favorite trick.)

Okay, that's Mag and Dew news. I am fresh from being outdoors and exploring, even just the neighborhood trails. I feel good that I'm building up for the only other thing she'll have to do, which is take us down to the water and enjoy the wilderness of Hansen Dam. She's been there once!