reposting, because i can. This was originally written in May, 2009.
I've been battling back the memories of my last ride on GoLightly. Funny how the mind works. I don't want to remember that last ride, yet. No. Not YeT!
I've also pushed my brain away, again, from that chronic snark factor so prevalent in the sport of horse. It hardens my memories. They've softened, as I've quieted down. Half-halt, trot on, gooood. Soften. yes. Don't think about the money. Money & cultural chasms just Won't bother my horse equation anymore.
Self-carriage, from GoLightly, to me.
The love of my life, "my" GoLightly horse, was leased just long enough to open up the learning windows I'd been peering through. I knew horses had strong senses of self. I knew the good ones, the balanced ones, would always self-preserve, and thereby keep me safe. Johnny Be Good, thank you. "My" Schoolies. "My" good boys.
I could sense a bad one, a dangerous one. But I'd never ridden one so trusting and trustworthy, all at the same time.
I've blogged about my first ride, our hack through the "Suicide Trails" at my barn. I was able to ride him almost daily, as Peter only schooled him over fences once or twice a week, at the most. GoLightly was ready to do anything. SchoolMastered, and graduated, was "my" too-brief GoLightly.
Did you know there are horses in this world, schooled kindly enough to mirror your own body? In my first serious flat school with Lightly, I was awed by the power, and the control I had, at the SamE time. My buddy/pupil, show groom KF, laughed her head off, watching me gasping and oohing and ahhhing, as we worked.
I'd look left, we'd go left. I'd look straight, we'd go straight. I'd collapse my left hip, a remnant of Amber's murderous intent, and GoLightly would very obediently collapse his. I'd stretch up and straighten, and so would he. It was incredible. Awe-inspiring, for me. Horses could go this way! I'd read about it, watched it, trained towards it, dreamed of it, but never ridden the actual culmination of proper training.
Oh, my. GoLightly held his bit like an egg in his mouth. Softly. Contact with him was your desire to do something. Anything you thought of doing, he'd do. GoLightly had huge, forward gaits. You always thought/compelled forward. He wore a plain snaffle, a cavesson to dress up his face. GoLightly didn't need to wear one. I'd love to know who "broke" him. GoLightly was trained in Switzerland, all I know. Easiest, peasiest guy ever, to do anything with.
tangent..
Why people think backward is right up there important, is STill beyond me. Self-preservation is something the horse needs to learn to use on his own, something asked for only when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, you start worrying the horse. Horses don't "get" backward very well. Kinda against their nature. Veddy kinda.
end tangent, sorta. (grammar police? bite this)
(spelling police have given up entirely, taken their goat, and gone home)
GoLightly lessons were earth-moving, for me. I walked around in a dream a lot. My schoolies loved it when I started riding Lightly. I was finally able to blather in their language more clearly.
I started ReallY insisting on certain things. Posture. Stirrup length. Rein length. Purpose. Balance and eyes. "Calm, forward, straight". I hadn't heard this mantra, I don't think, but I sure learned it from that big bay gelding with the kinda heavy, some would call common, head. He carried his head lightly. It's all in how you carry yourself, that your horse can then comfortably, happily carry you.
I feel a big burst of deja vu. Have you read this before? Have I? I've thought about GoLightly for so long, he's like a fourth dimension for me. Oh, well. Sorry if I repeat myself. It happens..
Scanned picture is of the two of us, early in our relationship. Check out the hat-less grubby geek. He's annoyed with me, here. Don't much blame him. Once I straightened my shoulders and hiked my stirrups up a hole (this picture helped me a Lot), Lightly was much happier.
Good boy, funny boy. GoLightly had the most prehensile nose, and used it for just about everything. GoLightly had a great sense of humour, and a great sense about life. GoLightly liked his job. He loved people. I know. How many horses have you known like that? Well, for me, it was like getting a daily lesson with Beth Underhill. Or Michael Matz. Or Mac Cone. Or Anne Kursinski. Or Meredith, or Beezie..
Every time I rode him.
From riding for my life, I started riding with my life. No fear. Just ride. We're good to go. Let's Go!
GoLightly was Bliss of a sort not many are lucky enough to experience.
I wish more people had, or were given, the opportunity to ride a trained, safe, sound horse, first. Or at least, at some point. I'm talking people who deserve them, of course. Not spoiled brats smacking their horses over their own frustrations. blech.
Oh, well, if wishes were horses, I'd be shoveling a lot.
As long as green riders are encouraged to continue trying to learn on their inappropriate, poorly trained/untrained, pretty mounts, accidents will continue. Riding is one of the most dangerous sports on earth. Gravity & physics are the enemy. Safe training is our friend. There is no shame in admitting to being over-horsed. Or under-trained. It takes a long time to learn how long it takes. Forever.
GoLightly, GoSafely.
Learn at the pace where you feel challenged enough to enjoy it, not so much that you're truly afraid. Horses and fear don't mix. Horses were born running, for fear of death. They'll never lose that. Nor should they.
I have to repeat that GoLightly wasn't broke to bored death. He was into work and fun and whatever came up. He was very observant, very capable of stepping over around through anything. He'd spook and play a bit, but always in fun, and only if you said it was okay, on a cold winter's morning, for example. He'd ask, I'd say "SurE!". GoLightly had manners.
QUIT BACKING UP SO MUCH.
ooops, sorry.
To Horses, and you all.
Dogs and Lorraine
Oh, wonder dogs update.. Flip and Blaze happily hurtled into the vets office today. I hadn't walked them enough, Blaze was wiggly on the table. Even Flip twitched, before she blissed. Of course, as we wait our turn, a GSD on a tight leash comes in, guy thinks she's pregnant. "Got a good market for the puppies?" I asked, sweetly. Oh, yes, but they won't be papered or anything. He said something like, It's just such a good thing for them to Do. Okay, sir. More puppies. Yes, indeed.
That was a favourite dry or sarcastic comment from Mrs. Small. Any silly question she thought had an obvious answer, "yes, indeed". Said as dryly as possible. Political or weather related, it didn't matter. Yes, indeed, it's supposed to rain. I could hear the "you idiot" undertoned, but unspoken. I loved that.
How could I forget that:(
This is Not her "Yes, indeed" face. This is her "piss Off!" face.
There have been three dogs tested positive for heartworm in our area, so the girls gave their drops of blood. Both girls had started noticing how wonderful the treats were, and were angels. I have a quandary with Flip, of course. Last time I gave her "revolution", a broadest spectrum topical, she was violently ill.
Have a great weekend, all! I am planting Dad's garden tomorrow, I hope, weather willing.
almost coherent, and out:)
