so today i was teaching two lessons, and when the first (my littlest
student, twelve years old) was finishing grooming and starting to tack
up, she asked, "so what if you didn't bridle a horse before you got on?"
and (largely thanks to this list) i said, "well, let's try and see,
shall we?"
so we found two lead ropes and attached them to either side of stjarni's
halter. i took him around once or twice (walk, tolt, circles) to make
sure he was happy and responsive, which he was. then my little student
got on, and had a great lesson. we worked on a cones course and steering
on the fly ("okay, now circle left around the small blue barrel") with
excellent results, a very fun lesson.
before student #2 arrived, i got on (still with the halter, though by
then we'd switched to a pair of nylon reins, as the lead ropes had
proved too thick for littlest's hand comfort) and took stjarni around,
walk, trot, tolt, canter, and found all to be well. so when student #2
did arrive, i had her ride in the halter too!
stjarni did well for her as well -- since she is a more advanced adult
rider, he doesn't "baby" her to the extent he does the small children.
he did very nicely w/t/t/c for her, but was a bit balky on one side of
the ring -- which (with instruction) she corrected by using a shorter
and more "open" rather than "direct" rein (these may be centered-riding
terms; i forget -- please ask if not immediately obvious).
anyway, i have never been prouder of my pony boy than today, which afaik
was his first time being ridden without a bit. what a lovely, sweet,
cooperative pony! i am truly blessed :)
mildly ecstatically yours,
--vicka
