Fall is my favorite time of year - it was cool (and cold at night!) but it is SO perfect for riding! The horses don't sweat as much and are in good moods because the bug population is limited (love the first freeze!). I was really excited/nervous for this weekend. I love riding with our "non-gaited" friends, their horses like to move out and our Tennessee Walker mare really puts out a nice pace for the whole group even though they ride non-gaited breeds.
I was a little nervous just to see what JW would do. He's usually so much better away from home because he actually needs me to tell him where to go etc. But he usually starts off in a little pissing match with me. This weekend was SO much different! He became my best horse! He was forward in his motion but would listen to my cues. He was moving off my leg cues fabulously! I only needed to do them to see what he would do and not to maintain his attention on me. He rode with one ear forward and one ear on me the ENTIRE TIME!!! It was AMAZING!! He rarely broke gait until I asked him too - which was another great advance!
The trails we rode were a little challenging just due to the fact there are a lot of hills and the trails are rocky. But the scenery is beautiful and its a good work out for going up and down hills at a speed that is good for you.
My trainer is one of the people that we ride with in this group and he was working with me on the whole head shaking and head tossing issue. We finally figured it out and I got him to stop doing that when I ask for flexing at the poll. Score another one for the stupid human!! On our second and third rides we did some cantering up the big hills. He took right off and no issues while we were running! Granted it was more of a running walk then breaking into a canter periodically - but it was smooth as silk!! He is a trooper and he had fun the whole time!! He also was listening to my leg cues and I finally felt like I had total speed and attitude control for the very first time! NO head shaking and no head tossing!!
I can't even begin to describe the feeling I had this whole weekend. Elation is a good word that comes to mind. I can't wait to go riding again to see what other things we will do!
Happy trails to EVERYONE!!
