Riding with
RHYTHM
To a horse trainer, “OK, I’ll go” is the same as “I love you.”
CONTINUED >>
“I’m NOT moving!” The mare refused another step forward. Like angry on a wet cat, feet planted, her pretty palomino head up, she stood with the leadline taunt, refusing to take another step up the hill. I held the rope, looped around the horn of my saddle. I determined my riding horse partner was thinking the same thing I was, “How long will this lesson take?” He flicked an ear, but kept his commentary to himself. “One step forward equals harmony between species, a most noble pursuit,” I bellowed. “One step back equals utter disgrace…and a whole-lotta-fuss.”
Except for my feet wiggling in the stirrups, nobody was moving, which made it a stare down. The tension built towards the stampede that was eminent (yawn). Fortunately, I had a brought along a secret weapon—my helper. “Come on little lady, you can do this,” he encouraged from behind, “It’s just a leading lesson.” Just moving forward is the answer, it’s why it’s always so elusive.
Her mental restlessness subsided for a moment and her Morgan brain began to sort through the predicamento she was in.
Quietly and softly, she stepped forward. The answer, even in the equine world, can contain a star spangled ode to joy. She had the answer now and her whole being shifted into a relaxed and cooperative mode. That’s when the magic happens. No longer hogtied against her will, our outlaw band of murderous, kidnapping thugs now emerged as the A team of friendly comrades in a single blink of an eye. As one, three horses and two humans traveled up the trail, moving as a single unit. Bravo to the cosmic caballero for this tension-free moment! (To a horse trainer, “OK, I’ll go” is the same as “I love you.”)
star spangled ode to joy. She had the answer