Pie on our goldenrod ride yesterday.
Much thought recently about the different ways I ride depending on who I am riding. A summer of quiet rides without too many incidents on anyone has left me reflecting on what works with all three boys. One common theme is my need to act like I am on a rental horse, but keep my lessons and knowledge close by if needed. In other words, I ride like an actress- a professional liar. I try to be relaxed, as if I have zero clue about what could happen. Remember the very first time you rented a horse and you didn't know about a shy or a bolt? You were free of any hesitation, anticipation, worry. That is how I have been riding lately. Of course, deep down, where hopefully my horse won't know, I try to stay focused about what to do if I need to react. This trick really has made my outings better than ever. My mother has been calling my rides on Pie, our most difficult boy, "pony rides" because that is how they appear. He has been wonderful. Sovey and Foggy have been too. I think of it like walking over hot coals and smiling. Yes, my seat is relaxed. Yes, my reins look long. It is all good and calm and easy. And, if there is a blow-up, I am secretly ready to sit tight, inch the reins up through my fingers, (grab mane!) and focus on riding well.
I am reminded of a scene in Room with a View when Cecil tells his mother how he thinks he and Lucy should raise children:
"Mother, I shall have our children educated just like Lucy. Bring them up among honest country folk for freshness, send them to Italy for...subtlety. And not till then bring them to London."
Of course, only Daniel Day-Lewis can say it in the way Forster intended, but I've been thinking of that scene as it applies to riding. The reason Cecil is so impressed with Lucy is because she isn't just one dimensional - she isn't all London and society or all Italy and culture or all Summer Street and country. Her strength lies in the combination of the education/environment. Riding my boys has shown me that I do better to combine tactics. Keep the experience and knowledge close by, but ride like I am oblivious about what could happen.
Let's just hope I am so frivolous with my courage and proclamations when the winds of autumn pick up. It sure was chilly this morning!
I am reminded of a scene in Room with a View when Cecil tells his mother how he thinks he and Lucy should raise children:
"Mother, I shall have our children educated just like Lucy. Bring them up among honest country folk for freshness, send them to Italy for...subtlety. And not till then bring them to London."
Of course, only Daniel Day-Lewis can say it in the way Forster intended, but I've been thinking of that scene as it applies to riding. The reason Cecil is so impressed with Lucy is because she isn't just one dimensional - she isn't all London and society or all Italy and culture or all Summer Street and country. Her strength lies in the combination of the education/environment. Riding my boys has shown me that I do better to combine tactics. Keep the experience and knowledge close by, but ride like I am oblivious about what could happen.
Let's just hope I am so frivolous with my courage and proclamations when the winds of autumn pick up. It sure was chilly this morning!
I have never rented a horse before, but this sounds like an interesting riding tactic also sounds like its working pretty good for you. I don’t think I could do it myself I like to stay very focused and try to stop my horse misbehaving before he can really start but sadly as a result I find it hard to pretend I don’t know what’s coming. Good post.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Edward
How true--stay relaxed and don't anticipate the spook, something I always try to do, but like you, I'm ready to grab mane. Our horses are so sensitive to how we feel. Like you, I've found it works to ride like "fake it" on Harley.
ReplyDeleteI think when riding a rental horse the first thing most riders do is grab the saddle/mane for stability. I believe from what I have seen/trained/fixed not grabbing the reins to stop a horse that spooks or bolts until the horse has gone a few steps gives both you guys time to think about whats happening and time to think over both of your reactions when you give it. Ride the horse, not their face.
ReplyDeleteSydney - I agree. I suppose the "rental horse" scenario I was going for was the ignorant bliss before anything happens. The post spook requires the balance and poise of a seasoned rider - one who never is in a horse's mouth/face - bitless or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteRiding like the horse will be the horse you want - that's the way to do it - wish I could do it always.
ReplyDeleteKate - Exactly - Wish I could too!
ReplyDeleteJeni, we watch the Dog Whisperer because I think a lot of his principles with dogs translate well to horses. One of his principles is that dogs/horses live in the now. I know that horses can remember, but I also believe they live very much in the present. Even if my last ride on Sugar, my Rocky Mountain Horse, was an exercise in riding through spooks, I know that the next ride can be totally different - and it always is different. I get on her back assuming a good ride and most times that's what I get.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Dan
Your analogies or the rental horse and the actress are great. Sounds like you've had a nice summer with the boys. And your goldenrod trail looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, when I think of even my first rides with Lilly, all the things I didn;'t really know that could really happen. So naive and brave I was, doing all these things I might not do now without a littl equiver. Still, aren't rides in the late summer just the best??
ReplyDeleteI have just found your blog. Wise words on the way to ride when something unexpected may turn up.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos taken from horseback. The best views in the world are between a horse`s ears!
I hope to return soon and look at your older posts.
love your images- both drawn and by camera! (Especially your profile picture, adore! Going to go check out your etsy shop now!)
ReplyDeletetake care, corinna
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comments. It was so sweet of Edward to give me a mention on his post. I am glad to have discovered your own blog and do agree with everything you have written. I often ride different friends horses, and as you say I try and relax and not over think my riding. Great post and I am glad to be a new follower too :)
ReplyDeleteFeigned oblivion, heels down and a handful of hope (or mane!). Sometimes if my mouth gets dry I hunt around for the child in me too....she wouldn't have given it a thought. She'd never been to London.
ReplyDeleteJuliette, I know just what you mean! The term "feigned oblivion" (from ToCatchAPony) says it well. I have occasionally thought "I know too much now. I know the many, many things that can go wrong and I'm worried about most of them." Like you, I have to sometimes consciously move them to the back of my mind and put a more relaxed perspective in the front of my mind. I confess sometimes I cling to a John Wayne image. I'm going to ride just like I'm John Wayne on a horse. What could go wrong when he's riding?
ReplyDeleteVery insightful post!
Juliette-very thoughtful post. I too, know what you mean; riding without any reservations or negative 'what if' thoughts. It comes easier some days than others. The point is to ride most days/times for fun for both parties :) which you definitely do. Our OTTBS have lots of brain movements and constant thinking, so being ready as they are, is important too, but not actively anticipating.
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