Crazy to look back and see what has happened over the last few months. So Gaius, the horse I used to be in love with when I was younger, and then fell back in love with a few months ago was definitely a one time thing. So I'm used to slow, I mean I rode Dru for 6 months! But this horse, come on. He wouldn't move if you had five lions behind him. You can chase him around all day and he'll buck and get mad and hate you, and maybe go a little faster. But if theres a donkey, a mini one mind you, he will sure run. That horse... just gah.
A much better experience on Jag. He's so cute. He's lovable, wants to please, good willed, and he has a cute little buck. He is slow, but gives in easily and will go forward. He really put in prospective that forward comes before collection. I mean I know everyone always says that, but he won't do anything unless you make him go, first. Then everything just kind of falls into place. I never got the results I really wanted with him, which is to be expected. I wasn't leasing him and didn't ride him more than two days a week. The stuff I did do I could feel slightly in each ride, and that was enough for me. He also really showed me what I wanted in a horse. I loved how sweet he was, and kind. He was a really fun project that helped me with finding a horse. I ended up buying a half QH, and I see some of him, in her.
Another really great horse I got to ride this summer is my friend's horse, Gracie. She knew a lot and it was really fun to go up there and practice some stuff on her. She was a draft cross, and had some Dru in her. She was harder to push forward than Dru was, but had some training like Xavier, so it was a good combo. She was a really nice girl, a bit stubborn, but definitely cute. It was cool to see how much I'd improved from Dru and Xavier to be able to get her to do some stuff, because she's typically a hard horse to get forward and to make do anything.
And then of course Xavier. Who was unlike any other horse I'd ridden before. He brought me so far over the summer and gave me that push into first level and allowed me to practice some second level stuff on him. From running in the fields, to practicing shoulder in, counter canter, haunches in, etc. he was a blast! I'm so thankful I got to ride such an awesome horse! I'd been riding slow horses for just about ever. I mean Joey, Thumper, Dru, Gaius, Jag, Elliot. I've ridden a few other ones like Marissa, Krik, Roxy, Rosie, and Rainja who had a go button, but those were more once and awhile rides. Never enough to really get a feel for them. Xavier was forward, which was so nice to not have to push and push, and push to get him to go. Even though he was forward, he was still clam and sane. He was off and on sound the whole summer, which was a bummer, but when he was sound, and going really well, it was amazing! The rides I would have on him. It was simple stuff, like counter canter, but it was so much fun to ride. I'd never had the chance to do it before, and he was the first horse I'd ridden with any real training. Totally worth it.
All in all I was so fortunate to have such great horses to ride and learn on this summer and into the school year. It's so incredible to look back and see how God put everything in line for me to finally get my own horse. I'm so thankful for all of these wonderful horses who helped me get here!!
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