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11/3/01
MAKE THE CIRCLE
The last ride on Tempest was a little challenging. November 1,
2001. It had rained 4 days earlier so it was slick. She was also
4 days fresh. She's Arab so she is not sure footed. You know
what I mean. Plus, a friend of ours rode my 4 year old named
Plenty. Each horse was looking for any kind of an excuse to get
their backup, squeal and jump in any direction. So, it was a
ride that in this time of the year where all you can do is make
the circle and get back in one piece. We did it and everyone
had a good time. The horses had more fun than the two of us.
What did the horses learn? I think they showed us that they could
be contained and it was ok because they were still fresh back
at the barn after 4 miles of riding mostly at a walk.
I think a ride like this has great significance. I was a win,
kind of a ride. Completing a ride such as this one is an example
of how most rides should be. My opinion. True, I didn't train
in any way, but maybe I did. Let's analyze it.
Tempest was pitched away most of the time. She responded to the
containment those times when needed. She jumped, kicked or bucked
and I was still able to contain her. She showed me what she wanted
to do and yet I could contain her. Pretty good on her part.
The trails and roads are slicker now than they will be after
a month of rain because all the stuff on top that is so slick
now, will have been washed away.
One way that I use the slick slopes is to bridle the filly while
going down hill. I have been introducing this on the flat. At
this point she can do that and she knows left foot, left rein.
Using those two skills I tippy toe her down hill not allowing
her front feet to get a long stride thus preventing a front foot
from slipping forward, potentially straining a tendon and both
of us falling down.
Its about 2:30 P.M. on Saturday and I am waiting for Gail to
return on Shaq. They are riding the Oroville 50. The sky is clear,
no wind and the temperature is probably mid 70's. It's a gorgeous
day. Two more rides between now and January. The Silver State
point to point after Thanksgiving and the Death Valley Encounter
4 day multi day ride between Christmas and New Years.
You can tell that I wrote this in Nov. but it has taken some
time to get it typed up and on the page.
ZONE?
ME? |
