Look at that front leg reach,swish of the trail…perfect foxtrot!
We started with a bridle and did the gaits, leg yields and a repeat of yesterday’s reining pattern, but slow motion at a flat foot walk.
I took off the bridle. We practiced doing leg yields without reins. I’m remembering Velvet now. Velvet and I did leg yields bridleless, in one direction with it being difficult the other direction. Ah, the memories…
When we were resting, I remembered sidepassing. We experimented with bridleless sidepassing.
I had a neck rope while riding bridleless until it became untied. I used my body, leg cues and horsemanship stick to provide Fancy with my direction and speed requests.
I’m thrilled to report Fancy stopped when I asked. Stopping is a very big deal when riding bridleless! Fancy did wonderful! We did all the gaits while bridleless, flat foot walk, fox trot and canter.
Erin Patterson, instructor emeritus, said, “Best bridleless ride!”
WONDERFUL! I’m very fortunate lucky to have this horse. Her bloodline proves what our fox trotter ancestors wanted!