>>> I just had the same idea yesterday. I've finally gotten my horses in to a >>> situation >>> that is much closer to my house, only a few miles, where I can see them >>> everyday.
Good to hear from you, Kim. I thought about you just a couple of days ago. Good to hear that you're well and glad you've got a new and improved situation with your horses. >>> So in this zen moment, I put a sidepull on him, and jumped on bareback. He >>> stood real >>> nice, then he took a few steps, figuring out his balance, also stopped on a >>> really >>> light touch, very nicely. I did this three times. Maybe two minutes each. >>> The last >>> one, I tapped his butt, and he did a turn on the forehand, which was also >>> rewarded, we >>> will get the signals straight for forward and engaging the hindquarters. So >>> it was >>> great. I think that's a good point - finding those moments when you KNOW things are right, and taking advantage of them. Typically, I think that's better than working on a schedule. We have to have a true relationship with your horse though before you can do that. I'm sure you do, but not everyone does. I could REALLY take a beating if I confess...oh, what the heck. I sat on two-year-old Tifa VERY briefly one day a few weeks ago. She was lying down, and I went over to see her. She didn't get up, but seemed to remain 100% relaxed and peaceful. In a moment of insight, I knew I could put a leg over her. She accepted it without a thought, so I went ahead and put a little bit of weigth on her, while she was still down. She could care less. Since she was lying down, and I was only on her for maybe 10 seconds, I'm sure this didn't strain her back. I got up before she tried to get up, which I think was best - no scrambling to get off her in a hurry. I also know that I won't ride her any earlier because I did that - she's still at least 2-3 years from "saddle training". It was just an opportunity I saw to introduce her to the idea of a human on her back, and it was a peaceful easy experience for her to soak up over the next few years. That's not something I particularly expect to do with my other young ones - not unless such an easy opportunity presents itself in such an ideal way. Most likely, it will be another 2-3 years before anyone sits on her again. On the other hand, four-year-old Ima hasn't had anyone on her back yet. I've sort of swung my leg over her when she's come to visit me while I was sitting on the board fence, but I never had one of those Tifa-opportunities present itself for fully sitting on her. >>>I think my point is that riding a horse for the first time does not have to >>>be a >>>dangerous, dramatic affair, it really isn't if you are in >>>tune............I'll get a >>>video of the next time, now I have a video helper. It certainly doesn't have to be dramatic. Do you normally work with Snorri alone or with a helper? I prefer to do certain things along, but I'm lucky to have a good friend I can trust to help me with certain things. If too many people are around, or people I don't know, it's harder for me to get into those "zen moments." Karen Thomas, NC
