Yes! A few warm days and some rain has softened the arena enough for a ride. I thought that we would just take it easy, warm up and stretch, and basically we did, except that some mutual over-achiever-thought-process got us moving a little more than I planned. Let me explain by giving you a taste of our inner dialogue. Just in case you are taking me seriously, no one can actually hear all the details of our conversation (except for us, of course).
Me: We are just going to walk and trot today, Harley. You haven't worked in a while.
Harley: Okay, but look how nicely I can stretch in trot.
Me: That is nice, Harley! If you pushed your trot out and took a little bit bigger strides, you would look like those horses stretching in the classical dressage YouTube videos.
Harley: Like this?
Me: Yeah! That's awesome. Can you go all the way around the ring like that?
Harley: Yup. And I can change direction. Watch.
Me: That was some great trot work, Harley. A really nice stretch, especially because we haven't worked in a while. We better leave it at that.
Harley: Yeah, but I'm not really tired.
Me: Let me check your breathing. You do look good. We shouldn't canter though. Let's take it easy.
Harley: Didn't the barn owner just turn on the lights?
Me: Oh yeah. I kind of feel obligated to stay out here a little longer now.
Harley: We could canter a little (ear flicks back).
Me: We better not.
Harley: Maybe just once around.
Me: Just one circle, that's it.
Harley: Cantering is my favorite! Watch me flying change!
Me: Harley, we are not doing that right now. Now we have to canter another circle, but this time nicely.
Harley: Let me change. I want to. Stop blocking me.
Me: No. Go back to trot. Hey, good job keeping your back up in the transition.
Harley: I could show you again if we canter?
Me: Okay, but no more trying to change.
Harley: Okay, I promise (ear flicks again).
Me: Great....Harley!
Is it possible to have too much fun riding your horse? We did actually do some productive things that I would like to reflect upon, but this riding reflection has gone silly. Oh well, this is supposed to the off-season!
Very cute. I love it when I get the ear cocked back. :0)
ReplyDeleteExpressive ears are the best for horsey conversations.
DeleteI am smiling and feeling teary at the same time -- Jackson and I used to have conversations just like this. This is a great reflection and it is NOT possible to have too much fun riding your horse.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annette and I agree. :)
DeleteThat Harley is quite the character :)
ReplyDeleteI've had sorta similar conversations with Coriander, particularly when the footing is not so great. He asks to canter, I tell him the footing isn't quite good enough, he says please so I let him go. Three strides later he says the footing stinks and stops. I try not to say I told you so...
Yup. That sounds about right. Eager horses, they are.
DeleteYou're not the only one who has conversations in your head with your horse. Now if I could just get them to listen as well and cooperate like Harley we'd all have a better time.
ReplyDeleteOh good. I am glad to be in good company.
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't listening that well! I had to ride a bunch of butt pops and jumpy half changes before he settled down. It was still cute in a naughty kind of way. ;)
Hmm, I have those conversations with my horses all the time... Sometimes I even forget to keep them in my head, LOL!
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's an award for you over at my blog! :)
I think it is so cute when riders talk to their horses while they are riding. I think that most horses like it, too.
DeleteCool! Thanks!
I don't think this post was silly at all; I thought it was fun (and some of it sounded eerily familiar).
ReplyDeleteAre there actually people out there that don't talk to their horses while riding? *gasp* How shocking!
Hee.
Thanks, Jen! I cannot imagine riding without having a conversation with my horse. That is what makes it so fun and personal.
DeleteThat is too funny!! I love your "conversations" with Harley. :D
ReplyDelete