Today was the first time I rode Smoke since the accident, six months ago.
She was a little bit excited and I was a little bit nervous, but it went really well.
She stood still for me to mount...something she never does...and walked quietly on a loose rein...something else she never does. I think she sensed she needed to take it slow.
I walked her for awhile, doing some stops and fast turns, then stepped it up to a trot. She wanted to go faster but I held her in and she settled into the trot.
Finally I got up the courage to ask her to lope. That felt really good, amazing is a better word. I loved it. she wanted to go faster and when I held her in, she got a little testy. She did buck a little but I pulled her up hard and she got the message.
After I reinforced that we were going my pace, not hers, she settled down and did whatever I said. I really enjoyed myself and it was a big boost to my confidence which had been shaken more than I realized.
Here's a few pictures.
She was a little bit excited and I was a little bit nervous, but it went really well.
She stood still for me to mount...something she never does...and walked quietly on a loose rein...something else she never does. I think she sensed she needed to take it slow.
I walked her for awhile, doing some stops and fast turns, then stepped it up to a trot. She wanted to go faster but I held her in and she settled into the trot.
Finally I got up the courage to ask her to lope. That felt really good, amazing is a better word. I loved it. she wanted to go faster and when I held her in, she got a little testy. She did buck a little but I pulled her up hard and she got the message.
After I reinforced that we were going my pace, not hers, she settled down and did whatever I said. I really enjoyed myself and it was a big boost to my confidence which had been shaken more than I realized.
Here's a few pictures.
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