Good Ride

Yesterday, one of the local teenagers came to ride. She was excited to get on Grace. Last time she was around Grace was way to green for her to ride. She rode under my instruction, but she was great. I really did more coaching than actual instruction. Jamie was right-on with everything I asked her to do.

At first both horse and rider were tense. I encouraged Jamie to adjust her balance slightly and coached her in relaxing her body and aids. They worked on good walk, halt transitions. Within about fifteen minutes Grace was moving forward with a nice long frame and a good rhythmic swing to her stride. Jamie had created a relaxed posture in her own body and successfully communicated that to Grace.


At that point we set out on a short trail ride. I rode Cerise while Jamie continued on Grace. Of course the tension came back. Grace wanted to go for a rousing trot. Jamie was not ready for this, and Grace is still learning that she doesn't get to choose the pace.


All the coaching in the ring to create a relaxed forward way of going needed to be left in the ring. I encouraged Jamie to take a firmer posture, more assertive voice, and more direct way of applying her aids. She did. I was impressed with Jamie's ability to immediately apply the adjustments I suggested. Grace came right back into a more appropriate way of going.


We wound around the snake like trails in the woods. Then we worked our way out to the open field where we started following the trail up to the top of the ridge. Grace likes to trot or canter up the hill. I told Jamie to keep Grace at the pace she wanted. Jamie kept Grace at a good walk up the hill.


When we got to the top we relaxed a little. I love to stop at the top of the ridge to enjoy the view. The horses munched on a little grass as we gazed across the valley to the next ridge which is the Appalachian Trail.


My dogs, Kordel (a Collie), and Caramel (a Lab/Australian Shepard cross), followed along with us. They checked out all the local dogie hot spots, and Kordel made sure all his marks were still prominent. Lincoln (my Springer Spaniel) chose not to come. He has some health issues that are making it difficult for him to join us on the trail much anymore.

After our stop at the top we worked our way back to my house and the ring. Grace just could not believe that we had the nerve to ask her to go back to the ring. With a little urging Jamie convinced her that the ride was not finished. The dogs went back into the yard and Jamie and Grace went back to work.


Now that Grace was properly warmed-up she and Jamie worked on a nice forward trot. Jamie had a good seat and Grace held a good pace. They worked on some turns on the forehand and then walked around a little to cool down.

The ride was finished. We untacked the horses. Jamie cleaned the stalls and I worked on trimming the horses hooves a little. We had a good ride.