Whine Negated

Here was my whine yesterday on Facebook:

“Today I learned it’s more difficult to trot and canter over poles as it is to jump over jumps. When Fancy’s front foot steps on the pole, we’re headed dirt-downwards!
Who knew?
One glass of of wine night
And turtle cheesecake!”

You are not going to believe what I’m going to tell you today! I can’t even believe it and I lived it.

On this day, Fancy and I cantered over the poles both ways of the arena. On this day She wore a bridle, but I did not touch the reins. Essentially, I rode her bridleless, cantering over the poles. No, she did not stumble, Yes, I am near death in astonishment

I have a goal to pass four high level horsemanship goals. One of the goals is riding bridleless. I will use a neck rope, my leg cues, body position to communicate where I wish to go, and what speed or gait to use along with a “stop” cue. Stopping and slowing down are really important cues for your horse. Stopping is very close to “save my life” kind of cue. Fancy and I have not had a good stop cue until just recently…like this month.

Also, my short thin ropes that I use as neck ropes have been washed a million times, shrunk a wee bit and have become too short to use as neck ropes. Just recently I ordered a neck rope from Hand Crafted Jewels. I get my halters and ropes there too. http://www.handcraftedjewls.com/

I vowed to start my bridleless riding when I got the neck rope. Fancy is slowing down now and stopping when I give the cues. It is finally time that I can safely start the bridleless quest.

The neck rope appeared in the mail. It fit Fancy perfectly. I was just going to canter her online over the poles today. Whoops, the neck rope fit so well and she did so good canter online over the poles, I’ll just take a short ride.

The ride was short all right. It was short because Fancy performed amazing. She cantered over the poles both directions. She slowed down and stopped when I asked. She went the direction and path I wanted. I CANT BELIEVE IT!

I dismounted, petted her, gave her carrot treats, her grain, brushed her and let her out.

Good Lordy!