Every time I think I know my horse really well, I realize we still have a lot of ground to cover. Prior to Rio’s spider bite fiasco, I was riding 3 maybe 4 times a week, with Trainer also riding once a week. Although that was a pretty good amount, I’ve really stepped up my saddle time since Rio has been cleared to ride again. The new barn is slightly closer, and I guess I am even more thankful for the saddle time that I’ve made more time for it lately.
Riding almost on a daily basis has been an amazing, and eye opening experience. I feel like I am picking up on wayyy more tiny details then I have before when it comes to our partnership. Every little thing I learn about him makes me smile so hard, and I can literally feel our partnership getting stronger. For example, I now know that when walking on a lose rein while tracking right I need to take a feel of the outside rein and keep my inside rein firmly at the girth as I gather up the reins, or else he falls in 2-3 steps. Every single time. How I never noticed this before is beyond me. Small and silly, but it’s one of those things that makes me feel like I “know” him better.
Every small quirk I learn to recognize has me in a fit of happiness, knowing that we are really developing a strong connection.
In other news, every time I go out there he has NEW nicks on his face. I swear he is trying to slowly kill his mother. I put AluShield on it, making him look like a teenage boy with severe acne.
Riding photo creds go to the amazing MM! THANK YOUUUU
5 comments
Aw I love that feeling of a growing and deepening partnership, of knowing all the little tics and idiosyncrasies 😉
I feel the same way about being able to go to the barn everyday
Right? It’s like this whole new depth of connection a d understanding 😊
It’s such a great feeling to notice a partnership develop, especially when you get to see the benefits of every-day interaction. I try to get out 6-7 days a week and I feel like it helps me understand Eli’s moods really well.
You do seem very in tune to Eli- one of the reasons I love reading your posts! I am getting pretty good at getting out ther e6 days a week currently and loving it a lot