I was at a lose. I knew with my ‘hands’ method it was just another way to force, which by any means I wanted to avoid. I stopped riding her. I figured there must, must, be another way to do this, and I need to figure it out, obviously, before I ride or try to. What was wrong with me? I had rode plenty of ponies and horses that I rode absolutely fine. I was the star student of my riding school, and riding class. But this wasn’t just a riding problem, it was a down right communication problem. The odd part was, that we had the best relationship on the ground. I loved her with every inch of my heart, but it all fell apart when the riding came into play. I could take her on miles and miles of trail rides without any rein contact, just let her take me away, but for some reason the riding in the arena was a growing issue. My riding wasn’t making it any better, I became un-patient in the beginning, frustrated, and I felt like I was letting my new horse, my new love, down.
Maybe horse ownership isn’t the easiest thing? She’s wasn’t and still is not the easiest horse to ride.
A man came to my assistance. His name was/is Jim. He lived behind where I boarded, with his own little facility. He seemed nice, but full of himself. I give my first understanding of what he taught me, the credit. He helped open doors that needed to be open. This man took me and my horse into the round pen and taught me how to move her using my body. To stop, turn her, and communicate on a deeper level. Maybe this would be the beginning to the new found path..
