I had the best passenger lesson ever today.
For those of you who have tried a passenger lesson, you know that at first it can be a bit difficult to resist the temptation to pick up the reins and guide your horse. Especially when they are going in mindless circles in front of the gate or just seem to have a magnet in them and are attracted to go to one place and stop.
I always tell students that eventually your horse will go exploring, if you trust them, truly release control, become a true passenger and not a back seat driver with an agenda.
Sometimes we think that it will never happen. I have had horses eventually start to do figure eights, or wander here a little and there a little. However, it doesn't ever seem like they are actually going somewhere. It seems like they are usually lost without our constant direction or just looking for a place to stop.
Well IT FINALLY HAPPENED TODAY!
MY HORSE WENT SOMEWHERE!
DOLLY ACTUALLY TOOK ME FOR A RIDE!
I DIDN'T TAKE HER FOR A RIDE!
IT WAS TOTALLY HER IDEA!
IT WAS THE MOST FANTASTIC FEELING!
Some of you may think that I am crazy. It was the
most "TOGETHER" horse ride that I have ever had.
It may have been my first and closest experience at what it will actually be like someday to ride as one with my horse. Meaning that her ideas and my ideas are the same. Being in true unison mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I started with a 15 minute walking passenger lesson. It wasn't long and Dolly began to wander away from the barn and the herd. All of a sudden it was like we reached an important threshold, and without any encouragement or direction from me, she perked up and headed for the pasture with purpose and intention all by herself.
She walked the fence line around the whole pasture and then went to the highest hill and stopped, gazing around, then began her journey again.
She never once offered to eat grass, change gaits or directions, and she watched where she was going! (All her responsibilities were carried out perfectly and all I did was enjoy, never touching the reins or giving a single cue!)
Then she mossied back to the barn. So I decided to try a trot. She amazingly did the same thing. I swear, I never touched the reins or gave one leg cue to go or turn, after the initial let's trot cue. She just took me for the most beautiful collected pleasure ride that I have ever been on.
She was in a very slow, smooth, steady, rhythmic, collected, trot with her head on the vertical the entire time. The gait never changed speeds even a little during the whole ride, not even when we were going up or down small inclines or heading back to the barn at her will. This passenger lesson lasted another good 20 minutes.
I then tried it at a canter; however, she did not go past that threshold spot. She started to go past it to the pasture and then changed her mind at the last minute, going back towards the barn. However she maintained the same cadence in the canter for a passenger lesson for about 8 minutes in the smaller pasture near the barn where she could see her buddies. I was happy with that, and decided to practice lead departures, stops and backing in the alley
way. After three of the best ones she ever did, I said time for a good reward and some dwell time together.
When I went to dismount, I was just taking my foot out of the stirrup; she turned her head to me and gave me the most incredible nicker I have ever heard. It was like that deep, low sound of total pleasure. I cried as I hugged her. We have come a long way since our accident last May, where I withdrew a lot of interest from our relationship account. We are on the mend together, and I have never been more elated.
Thanks for letting me share this incredible experience with you.
Happy Trails,
Sherry
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