Sunday, December 7, 2008

Triad


Walk, trot, canter. The three basic gaits. Seems simple enough. Just walk, trot, canter, no big deal.

I had gotten to the point where I was very comfortable cantering on the lesson horses and I loved it. My body moving in sync with the horse, the rush of speed, giving the horse her head and letting the reins steer only. When I started riding Miss exclusively I had to take a giant step backwards and really learn how to trot again. Apparently I was right in my assertion that riding the lesson horses was not teaching me how to ride Miss, as it took some time for us to trust each other and learn each other's cues and idiosyncracies. Lately, despite living in a fog of depression I've been feeling like it was time to take a step forward in the arena, so last weekend I asked my trainer if we could put Miss back on the lunge line at the end of my lesson (when she was tired) so I could canter a few steps. As I suspected, she was a little hesitant, as she had not cantered on Miss for several weeks, but I insisted that she was in a good space and I felt confident enough to at least try. Miss was confused, to say the least: why are we putting the lunge line back on? This is weird. Are you SURE you want me to canter? But after a little prompting she took one giant step and we moved into it. She picked up the correct lead, which she does 98% of the time, but more than that, I could tell she was on the right lead. We only went maybe 4 or 5 strides, but she covered more than one circle with that, she has a huge stride and loves to go fast. She slowed to a walk instantly at my whispered command and we praised her lavishly. Then we did it again the other direction and I was more prepared for the transition this time and felt pretty comfortable. Even though all told it was less than 30 seconds, it was a breakthrough. Both me and my trainer were very proud of both of us. I really needed this. Hopefully we'll do it again today at the end of my lesson. After a year and a half of riding her, we reach the mythical triad.

My trainer didn't really let on when I took her what a difficult horse she is to ride, for anyone, never mind a total beginner. That's probably a good thing, my ignorance allowed me to have more confidence than I would have otherwise. I see other people riding their horses and think, wow, that looks a lot easier than riding Miss, but also, a lot less fun. At the canter she is elegant and high-headed and beautiful. I'm just along for the ride.

10 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Donna! you go girl! I am so excited for you. I know what it means to take that step!

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  2. It's fabulous to gain that confidence in not only yourself but your lovely girl. It really is a relationship, isn't it.

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  3. That sounds so lovely! I remember how exhilarating it was to canter on the first horse I rode at the ranch. She just wanted to fly and it was so easy to pick up her lead. The second had a canter like a jackhammer, so it was not so much fun.

    I'm excited you have something new to work on with your wonderful girl!!

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  4. Awesome!! I love that feeling of doing that "thing" you have been putting off. For me it was the canter as well. It was pure exhiliration when it finally happened. So cool.

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  5. Watching horses in motion is like music...must feel amazing to be part of it.

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  6. Wow, such good news. You were right in your last post. Horses don't notice our cracks, they just love us for who we are.

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  7. What a gorgeous photo! You and Missy have come a long way together, Way To Go!

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  8. Hello, after a very long time.... Miss IS very beautiful. And your relationship with her, as you both learn and build your trust, is also beautiful! :) Your post was inspiring.
    When I taught stained glass, in my former life, I never discouraged my students when they wanted to be 'big'. I did not want to limit them - except within the realm of physics - so when they wanted to do something really challenging, I mostly let them within the reality of the medium. Sometimes a design needed to be modified, but I figured, if they didn't know what they couldn't do, they wouldn't limit themselves, and would thereby think outside the box and do more.... as your wise teacher has allowed you and Miss to do! :) It is lovely to hear about your journey with Miss and the confidence you are both gaining, separately and together! Your story about the three generations being together encapsulated exactly what this time of year means to me.Family....Hope you have a wonderful Solstice, and a happy holiday season.

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  9. Oops - hadn't surfed by recently!
    I needed to ride Sat afternoon, but was bummed-out & depressed so I just put Baraq on the lunge line... He has such a lovely floating trot; it raised my spirits just watching him! [since he has been such a squirrel under saddle, he has gotten A LOT of LL work - fortunately he knows his voice commands well!]

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  10. Ah, the canter! People say it's easier to ride than the trot, and I suppose it is...but I think it's harder to LEARN to ride. That "down and forward, up and back" motion can feel like falling when you haven't done it much, or lately. And, it's ten times harder on a horse that isn't quite sure cantering is allowed. Well done!

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