We had a three person/horse group lesson today. One of the groupies sold her main horse and brought Mabel. Mabel is a “been there done that” boss mare. During our ride, Fancy pinned her ears at Mabel, trying to tell her, she was dominate. Mabel probably made a mental note at this disrespect. We were at a point where Fancy was standing still, resting and Mabel passed us. Out of the blue sky, we heard a very loud, bossy FART! There is no smell with horses. Mabel was going at a fast speed in a great traditional fox trotter gait. Mabel has been a show horse in her past life too.
I was shocked at the volume of noise of the FART. I immediately voted a complaint to the leader of the group lesson. I shouted my complaint, “Mabel FARTED at us!” My complaint was dismissed with a laugh. Sheesh! I thought Mabel should have been put in a time out punishment. During another part of the lesson, again, when Fancy was resting, Mabel farted again. THE NERVE!
I’m starting to ride Fancy bridleless now. We are prepping for our Lever 4 Parelli Freestyle Audition. My assignment during the later part of the lesson was to ride big figure eight circles. The other horses were following the rail. My figure eight meant there was time when Fancy and I were going to the opposite direction of the two other horses. There were screams during this failed attempt on my part. Fancy did not respond to my signal to move to the inside of the arena when meeting the other horses. Oh NO…we went straight at the lead horse, which happened to be Mabel. Thank God Mabel and Fancy have a “stop”. I was able to stop Fancy using the string around her neck. The rider was able to stop Mabel and gawd know what was averted. This happened twice, both times the stops saved the day.
At the very end of the lesson, Fancy and I owned the outside of the arena. The other horses were resting out of our way inside the arena. Fancy and I made our bridleless third flying lead change from the left to the right. We have yet to make a right to left bridleless lead change.