I have to say that I was a little unsure when I first thought of bringing Sally back to the farm as my personal mount. My memories of her were a little fuzzy on the points of temperament and comfort of riding. That being said, I have been more than pleasantly surprised by how Sally has changed and matured in the last several years.
I was prepared for her to be mistrustful and reserved, and it is obvious that she was abused before she came into our family. I wasn't prepared for how quickly she started to overcome her mistrust or for how easily she has allowed me to catch her over the past week. Also, as an aside, she loves apple slices and apple flavored cookies.
Her ground manners are superb and I appreciate her respect of personal space. I find that her reserve makes me want to be a better horse-woman, want to have softer hands and a gentler voice. I want her to trust me and to have good reason. She seems to bring out a good side of me rather than the stubborn and grumpy side that Molly tugs on. I like that.
If I wasn't prepared for her to start to gentle to me so soon, I was downright shocked to see the softness in her eyes during our brushing session yesterday. Not only were her eyes soft, her face was relaxed, her lips were loose, she was sighing contendedly, and if she had cocked her hip anymore she may have fallen over in a stiff breeze. That was unexpected and pleasant. She may not be an overt love-bug, but she does enjoy time and care and appreciated my brushing and scratching. So far, after just a week - I think our personalities may click and I hope that she will learn to trust me working with her head and her bridle more and more so that I can teach her to lower it.
She stood like a rock with the mounting block and was very responsive under saddle. Moreover, she listened when I talked to her and made sounds. I think that she will be easy to teach to neck rein well and at that time, I may move her into a Myler low port, short shanked curb bit with a leather chin strap (the gentlest possible) for one handed riding. We'll see.
She didn't feel as narrow as I remembered, and I am thrilled with that! It did feel like I was riding a headless horse as she carried her head very low when relaxed. I'll adjust, but the saddle doesn't help. New one being saved for! Her walk is different from what I am used to now, and I will adjust to that as well. We didn't go any faster than a walk because she is A. very out of shape and B. I don't feel secure in the sadd
I am sure there will be boogers in our future and kur-fuffles, but so far so good. I am hopeful and HAPPY!
I was prepared for her to be mistrustful and reserved, and it is obvious that she was abused before she came into our family. I wasn't prepared for how quickly she started to overcome her mistrust or for how easily she has allowed me to catch her over the past week. Also, as an aside, she loves apple slices and apple flavored cookies.
Her ground manners are superb and I appreciate her respect of personal space. I find that her reserve makes me want to be a better horse-woman, want to have softer hands and a gentler voice. I want her to trust me and to have good reason. She seems to bring out a good side of me rather than the stubborn and grumpy side that Molly tugs on. I like that.
If I wasn't prepared for her to start to gentle to me so soon, I was downright shocked to see the softness in her eyes during our brushing session yesterday. Not only were her eyes soft, her face was relaxed, her lips were loose, she was sighing contendedly, and if she had cocked her hip anymore she may have fallen over in a stiff breeze. That was unexpected and pleasant. She may not be an overt love-bug, but she does enjoy time and care and appreciated my brushing and scratching. So far, after just a week - I think our personalities may click and I hope that she will learn to trust me working with her head and her bridle more and more so that I can teach her to lower it.
She stood like a rock with the mounting block and was very responsive under saddle. Moreover, she listened when I talked to her and made sounds. I think that she will be easy to teach to neck rein well and at that time, I may move her into a Myler low port, short shanked curb bit with a leather chin strap (the gentlest possible) for one handed riding. We'll see.
She didn't feel as narrow as I remembered, and I am thrilled with that! It did feel like I was riding a headless horse as she carried her head very low when relaxed. I'll adjust, but the saddle doesn't help. New one being saved for! Her walk is different from what I am used to now, and I will adjust to that as well. We didn't go any faster than a walk because she is A. very out of shape and B. I don't feel secure in the sadd
I am sure there will be boogers in our future and kur-fuffles, but so far so good. I am hopeful and HAPPY!