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| Old pic from a couple years ago. I have a new phone and can't seem to figure out how to get my pics off it. Eagle still looks pretty much the same though. :) |
Sometimes I think that Eagle is the coolest horse ever. And when I say that, I mean who he is. His mind, his personality, the way he chortles through his nose when he gets nervous. He's a beautiful spirit who's very sensitive and intuitive, I get by with nothing. Nothing escapes his notice. He has the kind of knicker that makes anybody stop and smile. He has big, dark brown, doe eyes. He absolutely knows how to use them. He's a snuggler, likes to be real close. And he's got this way of "sauntering" everywhere he goes; he exudes a quiet authority over our herd without even trying. But my favorite thing about Eagle. Well; besides his strikingly handsome, good looks? :) It's his kindness. This is the kindest, most loving horse I've ever known. He's just a good horse. And totally, without a doubt the most heart, or try, "the will to please" of any horse. Ever.
Kadie will always be the best little mountain pony in the world. But nobody's perfect.
Then there's times I think, he could be the coolest horse ever. Besides all that great stuff I just said. And I truly mean every, single word of it! But Eagle can be lazy. There's times I think I'm working way too hard up there. I've never really had a horse who makes me work so hard for such little things. Conformation wise, he's got this fairly short, very thick and powerful neck. And when he wants to go one direction, and I want to go the other, well let's just say my legs and arms are a workout. And it shouldn't be like that. I know he's still a green horse. And I absolutely couldn't be more pleased with what he's learned and how great he's doing. When Rachel rides him anyway! Frustrating, but I need to be patient. We'll get there, we'll continue to improve, but ack!!! With me? I need to take more lessons. In my imagination this horse and I go everywhere, over and under and through, grand adventures and all that. That's what I want. I've ridden him 4 nights in a row, skipped last night and plan to ride again tonight. We've had short and sweet riding sessions after a very short walk,trot, canter freestyle in the round pen. I mount up, go through my warm-up, which consists of relaxed walk, trying to stay on the rail and lots (some) willing forward energy. Neck flexes, balanced stop, back and one-rein stops. Then we do trot work and then try to add something like poles, haunch or forehand turns (beginning). Easy right? And usually we run through this within 30-45 minutes. That's plenty for both of us right now. Well, there are times we really work on just this. Then there's rides we've had where Eagle walks right out, just does what I ask when I want and it feels so good. I have to blame our connection. Some days it's good and other days, not so much. It's all about me and my state of confidence. When I'm more relaxed and ask with more authority, quiet but soft, Eagle responds nicely. But if I don't mean it. And mean it from the very beginning of our lesson, Eagle takes that and that's that. Nope, not today ... uh-huh. *sigh* God, he can be stubborn! Or lazy. Both? Rachel says it's not his fault. I get what I ask for.
Yeah, I know it's the journey. And I do enjoy the journey, the process, the relationship, the work. All of it. But I've waited sooooo long to ride this horse, and all I really want to do is hop on him bareback and race through the filbert orchard and go swimming with my horse in the pond. On a beautiful summer day, like today!
Just to feel that freedom. The joy of feeling my warm and strong, sure and fast, horse running beneath my legs. Hair flying in the wind, tears streaming across my face. *sigh*
That's how I want to ride him.
I read this quote by George Morris on another blog today. It seemed appropriate, so I thought I'd share and hopefully remember...
"The relationship between horse and rider is closer than any two beings, even if you're married. When a horse gets tentative, you don't get tentative. That's the kiss of death. You get positive."
Sounds about right.
Learning patience and persistence,
blessings all.
13 comments:
I love that quote. It's so true, isn't it.
Eagle is a special horse. I believe you will get where you want to be with him one day. You seem to already have the key to the puzzle. Stay relaxed and be confident and ask for what you want and let him know you mean it. ;) oh, and have fun!
To have your special horse is so wonderful.
I still miss mine but life goes on.
So happy for you :))) riding Eagle & growing together - sooo wonderful!!! I can relate to your frustration, some days it's game on and some days it just flows. You could try emailing yourself the photos off your phone, sending from the photo or attaching via email. It's different on every phone, it's fun isn't it? Before you know it, it'll be old hat. Thanks so much for your encouraging words on my blog, your comments always make me feel better.
Love the picture and his expression! So kind, as you say.
It sounds like you two are doing great together!! Those tougher days are probably hard, but you may look back on in them in the future and realize its where you grew the most as a horsewoman..and human. I have to emphasize the "in the future" part though. ;) This getting to know each other phase is why you have to really LOVE the horse you're working with, to make it all worth it, and by your first paragraph description of him, I would say you're ALL in with this boy!! It's LOVE!!
Oh, thank you all for the encouragement! Just what I needed to hear. Arlene: You're right, that is the key. Confidence...my bad.
Aurora: I'll give it a try, but I'm not so good with my phone yet.
Linda: Guilty! I do love him, but he knows I'm a soft touch.
I get that yearning to be that close with a horse, in fact a few horses in a row that I didn't have that easy bond with, and couldn't seem to get, really helped me when it came time to say no more horses. I think it's a lot harder as adults than it was as kids. We have a lot more baggage and a lot less dumb courage. :)
A lot less dumb courage - isn't that the truth!? :)
He sounds like a dream, in spite of the hoops he puts you through. I'll bet the ladies like him. *grin*
Hi again, Lorie, I made a special mention of you in my latest blog post. :) http://tlmerrybard.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/mice-chickens-and-turtles.html
I'll try and get you a better picture of next door's Appies next time!
It sounds like Eagle is well worth the time and work that you're putting in. They have their days, that's for sure. Getting them to engage that back end when they don't feel like it? It means we have to work harder. Do you have any hills to work him on? It really helps strengthen the back end. Try to just have fun, that's the whole point, right? And keep thinking, Ride every stride. :-)
We have hills only if we travel in the trailer, so just on the flat at home. Love the keep thinking message Denise! But, yes having fun is what really counts.
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