I've been having a rough time with Roanie lately, I'm not going to lie about that either. She's been... oh I don't know, teenager-ish. You know, the typical rebellious, my-way-or-the-highway business, which is weird because she's eight. years. old. Supposedly a mature adult. But then again she's always been a bit of a filly.
I'm getting a little frustrated, which is probably why I'm writing this at ten o'clock at night. The thing that gets me is that she's behaving worse than last year. Last summer we really turned a corner; we were getting over being skittish 24/7, our leadership skills improved... And now all she wants is her way. I feel like a parent who wishes they could give their kid a good spankin'.
I hope this is just a faze.
Tonight I decided to mix it up a bit and left Roanie Fat Pony {It's ridiculous. She's looks like she swallowed a barrel.} in the pen and grabbed Shyanne out for a good ride in our neighbor's big pasture. What a wonderful feeling not to have to anticipate what might make your horse blow up! It was so nice to ride for pleasure and not bother with circles and exercises. And aside from one instance where she tried to buck me off, Shyanne was fantastic. I think she must be mellowing in her old age :)
Shybaby {my pet name for her when she's sweet. If she's mean I call her Cow.} is also a leadmare so I got blaze on ahead. She warn't afraid o' no boogies. Leadmares have that nice quality, whereas followers tend to get stressed and jumpy when forced to lead or be alone.
-Gwyn
Just a little lesson from earlier rides: When I take a little break from riding and get back on the saddle, I find myself always imagining scariness from a horse's point of view. And they always come true. But when Im in a really confident slouch in the saddle-hold-the-reins-at-the-buckle sort of day, We're both really calm and enjoy the ride. Its really hard to actually think about it and do it right though
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Gwyn. Hopefully you get things worked out with Miss Barrel. Oh, I mean Roanie. :D
ReplyDeleteIndy is definitely a follower horse, though he will lead the way when he's in a familiar place.
I assume that is Roanie in the first picture. Despite her ornery quirks, she's gorgeous. I have freckles myself, so I'm partial to them - fleabitten horses are just gorgeous, in my mind. They have pizazz.
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to ride a fleabitten mare earlier in the year, a mare named Guinevere (which amused me, because my name comes down from that anciently). It was the first time I was able to ride a pony that really fit me, and I was proud of myself, because I was told later that she is a real stinker, and she nearly threw a friend of mine, but she got on passably with me. Ah, well, God's grace. It was fun. I have rare opportunities to ride horses - I enjoy them by proxy through you. :P
I have to agree with you there. I love confident geldings (don't care for riding mares). The skittish ones keep you on your toes and it's hard to completely relax and enjoy the ride. It is nice to make a breakthrough and improve you trust in each other with the more nervous ones, but you have to be in the mood to work on it so it's probably good you gave Roanie the day off. :) Don't let it discourage you. You can get back to where you were last year. It just takes time and patience.
ReplyDeleteSigh. I love your horse stories...never forget how blessed you are!! ^_^
ReplyDeletei am just going to tell you that that picture of the horses running and the horse that is saddled are both adorable u have always loved horses
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